The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is opening the floor for public feedback on the freshly minted draft rules of the Climate Protection Program, a response to the pressing climate crisis besieging not just Oregon but the entire globe. The draft rules signify a strategic commitment to curb greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, targeting reductions of 50% by 2035 and a bold 90% by 2050, as detailed by the Department of Environmental Quality. These targets reflect Oregon's larger environmental aspirations and adherence to a policy structure that aims to be as respirable as the air it seeks to cleanse.
Director Leah Feldon, recognizing the weight of responsibility that DEQ carries, asserted that this program remains elemental in hitting Oregon’s climate milestones. According to a report from Oregon's DEQ, Feldon commented, "DEQ has emerged with a stronger program that maintains the same scope and ambition while providing more options for those we regulate to comply with the cap."
"Oregon’s Climate Protection Program is a key tool to ensuring that Oregon makes progress toward meeting our GHG emission reduction goals,” Governor Kotek said, acknowledging the program's vitality for advancing the state's environmental goals. An excerpt from the fact sheet released by DEQ, offers a layman's comparison between the original program and the updated draft rules, punctuating this effort with transparency.
