Proposed rule
Rulemaking contact:
Evan Manvel, 971-266-9122
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Climate Protection Program is announcing a rulemaking for the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions at specific manufacturing facilities.
Rulemaking scope
The Climate Protection Program EITE rulemaking addresses emissions-intensive trade-exposed, or EITE, sectors and direct natural gas sources. EITE sectors include facilities like pulp and paper mills, iron and steel mills, semiconductor manufacturers, chemical and concrete manufacturers, and more that are exposed to competitive trade by the program. Direct natural gas sources are emissions-intensive, but do not operate in a designated trade-exposed sector and use natural gas distributed by an entity other than a natural gas utility.
The rulemaking aims to develop benchmark greenhouse gas emission intensity values for both types of facilities. Greenhouse gas emission intensity values would calculate the number of metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted per unit of manufacturing product or process – tons per widget. Since DEQ implemented the Climate Protection Program in 2025, these facilities have reported their emissions but are not required to reduce emissions.
The rulemaking will also develop a schedule of reductions for these intensity values, ways to incentivize emission reductions at these sources, a benchmarking process for new sources, and any modifications to related rule divisions as needed for consistency.
Tentative timeline
DEQ aims to present draft rules to the Environmental Quality Commission for consideration in mid-2027. In preparation for the rulemaking, DEQ will invite groups of interested parties to preliminary listening sessions.
DEQ will then convene a rulemaking advisory committee and four committee meetings. Committee meetings are open to the public and there will be an opportunity for oral and written comments at each meeting. DEQ intends to hold some committee meetings in person and all meetings will have a remote attendance option.
Program background
The Climate Protection Program sets an enforceable, declining cap on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels used through Oregon. The program is designed to reduce these emissions by 50% by 2035 and 90% by 2050, and to improve public health and reduce environmental burdens in Oregon communities.