Oregon Court of Appeals Rules State Climate Program’s Rules Invalid

The Oregon Court of Appeals recently ruled that the regulations governing a state climate initiative aimed at significantly curtailing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel entities are not valid. Initiated in 2022, this program is recognized as one of the most robust in the United States.

Officials from the state’s environmental agency noted that the ruling was based on a procedural mistake and did not address the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s legal capacity to administer the program. The Climate Protection Program is set to achieve a 90% reduction in emissions from transportation fuels and natural gas by 2050.

This judgment by the Oregon Court of Appeals was the result of a lawsuit filed by fossil fuel companies. They contended that the Environmental Quality Commission, which serves as the policy and rulemaking body for the Department of Environmental Quality, made an error in establishing the program’s regulations.

The court determined that the program’s rules were indeed invalid.

However, the department emphasized that the ruling pertained solely to a procedural error and was not an immediate directive, as reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Lauren Wirtis, a spokesperson for the department, clarified in a statement that the court did not rule on the Environmental Quality Commission’s authority to implement the Climate Protection Program.

The department remains confident in its legal standing to enforce the program and is currently deliberating future actions with the Oregon Department of Justice, according to Wirtis.

NW Natural, a party in the lawsuit, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision and reaffirmed its commitment to transitioning towards a lower carbon energy future.

Conversely, a coalition of environmental, climate, and social justice organizations concurred with the state’s view that the ruling was centered on a procedural detail and did not challenge the Department of Environmental Quality’s power to impose emission limits on the oil and gas sector.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Oregon Climate Program Ruling

More about Oregon Climate Program Ruling

• Oregon Court of Appeals Decision
• Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
• Climate Protection Program Details
• NW Natural
• Environmental Policy