That's a wrap!
Advancing a healthy, resilient future in Central Oregon requires change at both the individual and systemic levels. To ensure a better future for the next generations, we must communicate with elected officials and empower our community members and leaders to stand up for bold action today. That’s why we’re committed to having a seat at the table when key decisions are being made in our region and state.
The 2025 long session of the Oregon Legislature is underway, and it's a vital opportunity to push for climate-forward, equitable policies. Across all program areas, our team works every day to not only educate our community, but to advocate for local policies and infrastructure that protect the environment and support economic success. From council chambers to classrooms, we collaborate with others to prioritize climate action and equitable solutions in the face of rapid growth and development.
Below is a high-level summary of the 2025 legislative initiatives we’re currently invested in—as well as a recap of past wins and some helpful resources. Keep checking back for updates and opportunities to participate, and sign up for our e-newsletter to get action alerts and the latest blog posts. We’ll also keep you posted on the bills we’re supporting throughout the session.
2025 Focus Areas
Waste & Materials: Reducing waste from upstream to downstream
In 2025, we’re doubling down on efforts to prevent waste at the source and improve systems for reuse and repair. Oregon has taken bold steps in recent years—like banning polystyrene and legalizing reusables—and we’re pushing for even more systemic change.
If you can’t repair your own things, do you really own them? In a time of planned obsolescence where stuff is made to be broken, this bill will empower repair rather than disposal by requiring manufacturers to provide us with the tools and manuals we need to fix our broken things. We support repair because it:
- reduces environmental damage by decreasing toxic electronic waste (eWaste);
- increases access to affordable technology; and
- supports small businesses and the local economy.
Fact Sheet from Right to Repair Coalition
Written Testimony in Support by The Environmental Center
Transportation: Accelerate electric and people-powered mobility
Transportation still accounts for nearly 40% of Oregon’s carbon emissions. We’re supporting policies that make it easier and safer for people to walk, bike, and use electric vehicles—all while addressing the climate crisis and making our communities healthier.
House Bill 2025 didn't pass, but would have raised significant funding for safety and transit. Transportation talks and stop gaps will conttinue and we will be sure to show up to support climate and safety in our transportation legislation.
E-Rides bill standardizing and improving electric bike and other electric mobility rules. Both bills did not pass, but the e-rides bill would have clarified different
Our definitons of e-bikes and other things that roll are the technology is changing quicker than the rules associated with it leading to alot of confusion. This bill would create a future proof set for rules that sould allow more clear regulations based on speed. Similar to how kids are riding e-bikes unsafetly. Identifying the difference of what is an e-bike and what is not. One push is to ipen up e-bikes to kids under 16 unlike right now everything is illegal to anytone under 16. Right now a speed limited and power limited bike your not allowed to ride until you are old enough to drive a car that has different rules. The push for next year is to have a shared goal on the limit of legitiment electric motocycles rather than having anyone riding anything with electric assistance under 16. This is something we will be bringing back as it did not pass.
There was a seperate bill to allow low income individuals to purchase e-bikes, did not pass.
Energy Supply: Transition to clean and resilient energy
Many of Oregon’s homes and buildings put people at risk from climate extremes like deadly heat, while also contributing to climate pollution through fossil fuel use. We’re pushing for statewide policies to ensure new buildings are efficient, healthy, and resilient—and to make it easier and more affordable to upgrade existing ones. In 2025, Oregon’s legislature must act to give more people access to safer, climate-ready homes.
this was a goal but we were not successful. 2025 was a challenging year with anticipated cuts in alot of core cliamte and energy programs. We fought to keep those cuts as low as possible. we were dissapinted that investments weren't made to keep successful programs running, and without that funding they will ohrase out or shut down. Highlight the community heatpump deployment program and the renatl home heat pump program.
one stop shop 2.0 would have built on the state energy hub to provide suport for people wanting to make effiencney upgrades to their homes. Although it didn't pass, the original version of this tool is online. https://incentives.oregon.gov/
During a year when a lot of things related to energy did not pass, luckily The POWER Act did pass! and we were for this bill. AI Data centers have a big oppotunity to consume alot of electricity which amkes it harder for utlities to provide utiltiies to excisting customers. The POWER Act is a bill that would piush the responsablity of the electricial transmission costs onto data center development rather than being subsidsed by rate payers.
Make Your Voice Heard in the State Capitol 101
Learn about our priorities that will help us decarbonize our community during the 2023 legislative session in Oregon. This event will include training on how to write an effective testimony or letter to legislators, give you time to write and workshop, and ask questions of our expert coalition partners. All written testimony can be submitted for public hearings in the following days and weeks! You can help us get these bills over the finish line!
Get Involved!
There are many ways to get involved in the 2023 legislative session. And luckily, many helpful resources already exist.
1. Sign up for for our e-news for timely action alerts.
We send our regular e-newsletter, Living the Green, every two weeks. We will include updates on important policies, and helpful instructions on how to get involved and when.
2. Learn more about bills and sign up for email updates through Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS).
- Here’s a tutorial on how to find info through OLIS.
- Sign up for bill alerts and updates through OLIS.
3. Tell your elected officials what is important to you.
- Find your State Senators and Representatives by clicking on a geographic area in the map or typing in your address.
- Write a letter or email to your elected official. Be sure to include which bills you are interested in and be specific that you want them to support those bills.
- Submit testimony.
- How to submit written testimony.
- Here’s an example: A few written testimonies we’ve submitted.
- How to testify live.
- How to submit written testimony.
4. Talk about these things with friends and family.
Individual action is most impactful when you share and communicate with those around you. It keeps issues like climate change relevant and top-of-mind. Chat with your friends, coworkers, and family about your own personal connection to the issue and why it matters to you. Whatever you do, just keep talking about the change you wish to see.