Oregon Public Broadcasting

Environmentalists in Oregon called the 2007 legislative session a “landmark”. They're not singing the same tune in 2009.

Conservation groups were hoping strong Democratic majorities in the state House and Senate would lead to bold strides on the environment. But as Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman explains, the slow economy got in the way.

It's not easy being green. Especially when the economy is in the tank. That's what environmental lobbyists like Evan Manvel are finding out.

Sen. Suzanne Bonamici: “Hi, how are you?”

Evan Manvel: “I'm doing well.”

With the 2009 Legislative session nearing an end, Manvel is still working the halls of Salem, making a last-minute push for bills he supports and trying to block bills he doesn't. Here, he's meeting with Democratic Senator Suzanne Bonamici.

Sen. Suzanne Bonamici: “So, we're here to talk about...?”

Evan Manvel: “House Bill 2940”

Sen. Suzanne Bonamici: “2940”

Evan Manvel: “The renewable portfolio standard and proposed what we see as weakenings of them.”

Environmental groups came into the session with hopes of big things. They hailed Democratic gains in the Oregon House as a “big victory” for Oregon's environment. But then a recession reared its ugly head.

Manvel said the economy loomed over much of the debate on environmental bills.

Evan Manvel: “The economy's been a distraction and it's certainly been an excuse. But it hasn't been a real reason to not act on the bills that we've put forward.”

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski entered the year with an ambitious environmental agenda too. But as he addressed the Legislature on the opening day, he foreshadowed the tone of the upcoming session.

Governor Ted Kulongoski: “I am telling you there is a green revolution stirring in America, and Oregon is the beating heart of that revolution. But it won't be for long if we call a timeout on our move towards investing in renewable energy and green technology.”

So six months later, how did things turn out? His chief environmental advisor, David Van't Hof, generally gives it a thumbs up.

David Van't Hof: “At the end of the day, when the governor signs into law the legislation that passes, it will have been a successful 2009 legislative session.”

Van't Hof can reel off a list of what he calls environmental wins: stricter energy efficiency standards for buildings, a bill to pave the way for wave energy projects, and a measure that requires gas stations to sell cleaner burning fuel. But the governor's most ambitious goal fell by the wayside.

It was a plan to create a regional cap and trade system to curb industrial greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses and utilities cried foul, saying it would cost too much. Van't Hof says in the end those economic concerns won out.

David Van't Hof: “It's always easier to stop legislation than to pass legislation, and so that gave folks that wanted to sew seeds of doubt added ability to say ‘This could have a bad impact on the economy, don't do it now of all times, don't act now.'”

Democratic Senator Jackie Dingfelder was on the front lines of the debate over cap and trade. She says in addition to the economy, opponents of the plan argued that it was an issue better left to Congress.

Sen. Jackie Dingfelder: “I felt that they just really were at the point where they would only settle for a national approach, and at that point there's nothing else to negotiate.”

Dingfelder says lawmakers did make progress on other environmental bills.

Sen. Jackie Dingfelder: “Some are not as sexy, so to speak, as some others.”

She points to increased fines for polluters, and increased scrutiny of invasive species. On the other hand, several planned items didn't materialize. Those include an expansion of Oregon's bottle bill, tough regulations on the chemical content of children's toys, and a comprehensive update to the state's water use regulations.

To environmental lobbyist Evan Manvel, the biggest failure was cap and trade. He says lawmakers failed to tackle the climate change issue head on.

Evan Manvel: “It's as if our house is on fire and they're picking up a squirt gun. We've missed some opportunities.”

One environmental priority in Salem is still in play. Late Thursday, the Oregon Senate approved a bill to phrase out most field burning in the Willamette Valley. The bill now heads to the House.