New infrastructure to serve cars make Oregon's climate goals impossible to reach

Governor notes that responding to climate change danger involves doing something about how we get around and the transport infrastructure we provide

Oregon's Governor, Theodore R. Kulongoski, issued a presser today (1/24) calling for a "2009 Climate Change Agenda."

"The mission of the Global Warming Commission becomes more urgent every day," said Governor Kulongoski. "From rising waters during winter storms to raging forest fires and drought that threatens the future of our farms, vineyards, and orchards, global warming is already threatening Oregon's economic prosperity and quality of life." . . .

The Governor also took action today to support the state's climate change efforts by signing on to a letter, along with thirteen other states, to the Environmental Protection Agency expressing frustration with the EPA's refusal to grant a waiver for tailpipe emissions standards that would allow Oregon to reduce greenhouse gasses emitted by automobiles by implementing stricter standards. The clean tailpipe standards are a key part of the Governor's existing climate strategies.

This letter follows one sent by Oregon's Attorney General urging the EPA to move forward on the Massachusetts v. EPA case where the court ordered the EPA to determine if greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles cause air pollution that endangers public health.

Every word that officials in Oregon use to argue that climate change is a serious threat to Oregon (and it is) is an argument against dropping $500 million dollars into a third auto bridge in Salem, the sole purpose of which is to make it easier for people to live further away, drive more, and continue to sprawl even more.