OCERA (Oregon Coalition for an Environmental Rights Amendment) will be lobbying for the right to a healthy environment, and you can help! Join environmentalists, including young people, to tell legislators we need a constitutional amendment that protects Oregonians and the planet.
SALEM LOBBY DAY
Wednesday, December 11
8:30 AM – 4 PM
Meet at the First Presbyterian Church
770 Chemeketa Street, NE, Salem
Register for Salem Lobby Day
Online Orientation
Monday, December 9, at 6:30 p.m.
Register for the Orientation
Why is an amendment needed?
We are not reaching Oregon’s targets for reducing climate pollution. Our state government doesn’t have the authority to stop the pollution of our groundwater from nitrates and PFAS, the forever chemicals.
What will OCERA provide?
OCERA will provide an on-line orientation beforehand, where you can get your questions answered. Come for coffee and tea on December 11 at 8:30 a.m. You’ll meet your team and get to work.
Please plan to also join us for a press event at 12:30 p.m. (location TBD). Bring a bag lunch and WEAR GREEN. We’ll meet additional legislators and their staff in the afternoon.
For support and questions, contact Catherine Thomasson, Legislative Coordinator for OCERA.
MORE INFORMATION
The right to a healthy environment cannot be left to politics!
The need for this constitutional amendment is urgent. The right to not be killed by pollution should be absolutely fundamental. Yet the state of Oregon has consistently failed to protect Oregonians. For example:
- Groundwater is polluted with nitrates around the state.
- Leachate with PFAS and other toxics from the Coffin Butte Landfill is routinely dumped into the Willamette River with negligible treatment.
- Neighbors for Clean Air petitioned the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission in 2019 to adopt a diesel exhaust rule, but the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) rejected the idea, arguing it was expensive and time-consuming to implement.
In addition, Oregon’s transportation plan is inconsistent with the greenhouse gas reduction goals in Oregon’s laws. Patchwork climate solutions, such as the DEQ’s proposed Climate Protection Program Rule and draft legislation proposing an Oregon Climate Superfund face serious legal and political hurdles. Even if successful, together they are not strong enough to meet the urgent need for a more stable climate. If passed, the amendment will strengthen Oregon’s ability to achieve measures like the CPP and the climate superfund.
ABOUT THE AMENDMENT
- The amendment will instruct the Legislature and agencies to protect the health of Oregonians. To enforce this right the People will have the ability to challenge decisions in court that harm (or threaten to harm) public safety and health interests.
- The best available science and other evidence admissible in court will determine if the government is sufficiently protecting the health of Oregonians.
- Courts will be able to review all considerations to arrive at the most equitable resolution, with clear guidance to err on the side of a healthy environment for all, especially for children and future generations.
- The court settlement this year in Hawaii (where the transportation plan will be court supervised to achieve the state’s greenhouse reduction goals) was a direct result of that state having a constitutional amendment that provides for a clean and healthy environment.
This critically important amendment would advance virtually every environmental issue. Your support is needed! Learn more at www.OCERAunited.org.