John A. Charles, Jr.
This week the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is holding its final public hearing on a plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 90% from fossil fuels used in Oregon.
Since there is a rough proportionality between fossil fuel combustion and CO2 emissions, that means the DEQ rule is a mandate to reduce the actual use of carbon-based fuels by 90%. This would essentially shut down the Oregon economy.
DEQ’s program goes by the Orwellian name of “Climate Protection Program,” but it will have no effects on global climate. Any carbon dioxide reductions occurring in Oregon will be immediately offset by growing emissions elsewhere, which will be true for decades.
The primary result of DEQ’s rationing scheme will be rising energy prices, and the rapid exodus of people and businesses to other states.
DEQ’s Climate Protection Program was ordered by former Gov. Kate Brown after she failed to get the program enacted by the state Legislature. It should be repealed by legislators as soon as they convene again in February.
John A. Charles, Jr. is President and CEO of Cascade Policy Institute, Oregon’s free market public policy research organization.
