Climate Change Measure Advanced in Oregon Senate

The Oregon Senate this week passed a climate change bill that was one of Gov. John Kitzhaber’s top legislative priorities.

The approval in a 17-13 vote sent the measure to the state House.

The bill would extend Oregon’s low-carbon fuel standard, an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that was approved in 2009 but not implemented. The program expires at the end of the year unless lawmakers extend it.

The measure requires gasoline and diesel producers to reduce the amount of carbon emissions associated with their fuels. They can do so by buying credits to pay for alternative fuel technology.

Republicans tried unsuccessfully to refer the measure to the ballot. They say it would raise fuel costs.