In summer and fall 2020, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality conducted a public engagement scoping phase to develop a new Climate Protection Program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon. The scoping phase represented the second of three phases in the program’s development. During this period, DEQ gathered input from stakeholders and the public to help identify and frame key policy issues prior to formal rulemaking. The report below provides an overview of meetings hosted and summarizes key themes of comments received during the scoping phase.
On Dec. 2, 2020, DEQ held a virtual meeting to discuss continued efforts to develop a new program to establish greenhouse gas emissions limits for large sources of emissions in Oregon. Informed by public and stakeholder feedback received to date, DEQ staff presented illustrative scenarios to discuss potential trade-offs between different program design choices and how those choices relate to the program’s key goals. The meeting also included opportunities for participant discussion about program goals and potential trade-offs of program design elements.
In October 2020, DEQ held three town hall public meetings via webinar to receive feedback from community members and stakeholders. These town halls allowed participants to learn more about the purpose and potential elements of a program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to share verbal and written comments, and to hear about future opportunities for involvement. Additional resources, including a community guide, policy primer, and glossary of key terms, were provided ahead of the meetings.
Meeting materials
Additional resources
Community Guide: overview of development process and public engagement opportunities, English | Español
Policy Primer: reader-friendly introduction to core policy issues for a greenhouse gas emissions reduction program, English | Español
Key Terms: definitions of words frequently used in program materials, English | Español
On July 29, 2020, DEQ held a virtual information session to kick-off the public engagement process to develop a new program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon. The meeting was an opportunity for the public and stakeholders to learn more about the program development and upcoming opportunities for participation, ask questions, and provide comment.
Technical workshops
In August and September, DEQ hosted six technical workshops via webinar for detailed discussions on specific program design elements, options, and implications to inform program scoping prior to formal rulemaking. Each workshop had an accompanying issue brief that was made available in advance of the webinar to help set the stage for the discussion.
DEQ accepted written comments on workshop topics throughout August and September of 2020.
Topic: Sectors,
sources, and types of emissions to be covered by program.
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020
Meeting materials
Topic: Level
and trajectory of emissions limits or “caps" over time for the sources
covered under a program.
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020
Meeting materials
Topic: Potential options for emissions reductions outside the scope of the program to qualify toward meeting compliance under the program as a way to achieve compliance at less cost.
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020
Meeting materials:
Topic: Options for issuing “instruments" that represent allowable emissions under the program and how the usage of such instruments may demonstrate compliance.
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020
Meeting materials
Topic: Program design considerations and market characteristics to collectively reduce compliance costs and indirect program impacts.
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020
Meeting materials
Topic: Program design considerations for underserved communities, such as environmental justice, economic outcomes, and distribution of program costs/benefits.
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020
Meeting materials
Contact
For more information, email: cpp.info@deq.oregon.gov
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