OR Environmental Quality Commission Approves New Climate Protection Program

(Salem, OR) -- The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission is approving rules for the Climate Protection Program. The new program will take effect next year, and charge a fee for businesses that sell gas, diesel, natural gas, and propane for the pollution they cause. Those charges are expected to cause prices for fossil fuels to rise as businesses pass them along to consumers. The state will be looking to impose some consumer safeguards, however.

EQC Chair Kathleen George says if prices rise 20% above neighboring states, it triggers an investigation into why. She adds the goal is to reduce Oregon's greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2035 and 90% by 2050.