Mission: To promote —

• A robust, sustainable, and competitive economy;
• Enhanced environment quality for all Oregonians;
• Reliable, competitively priced energy from a diversified portfolio;
• Innovations that integrate economic and environmental progress for both existing and emerging sectors;
• Flexible, effective incentives over command and control regulatory mechanisms;
• A sustainable Oregon by developing and protecting resources in ways that enhance the environment, economy and communities.

 

Goals:

• Identify long-term goals and actions needed to lead the state into a future where Oregonians enjoy the highest quality environment and most vibrant economy possible.
• Promote and apply objective, effective, and creative approaches to energy and environmental issues.
• Identify current and long term environment and energy issues; analyze their impact on the private sector economy; discuss their political and financial implications; determine their relevance to AOI members; adopt an AOI position; and, decide whether to include in legislative agendas.
• Expand AOI E & E interactions and seek out common ground and collaboration with other business groups, agencies, and nonprofit interest groups.

DEQ Fees

AOI Position:

AOI supports DEQ fee increases that meet criteria previously adopted by Environment Committee.

Fees make up, depending on the program, anywhere from about 40% to 100% of DEQ funding. In 2001, the AOI Environment Committee adopted a fee policy that supported fee increases for CPI, but set criteria for support of increases beyond CPI.

DEQ Penalty Increases

AOI Position:

AOI opposes increases in DEQ maximum penalties.

The DEQ possesses more than adequate penalty authority for environmental violations, both discharges and paper work. The penalties are assessed using a matrix incorporating various aggravating or mitigating factors.  In some cases fines are as high as $25,000 per day per violation.

Ban on Mixing Zones

AOI Position:

AOI opposes bans on mixing zones.

A mixing zone is the designated area (zone) of a water body where a discharge enters from a municipality, industrial, or other facility. In many cases the mixing zone is a return of river water after non-contact cooling. The DEQ establishes criteria for these zones with EPA approval, to safely allow dilution before water meets strict ambient water standards.

Tax Incentives for Extra Environmental Requirements

AOI Position:
 
AOI supports nonfederal required or Oregon specific require­ments to include tax incentives.

Oregon has a history of adopting very rigorous environ­mental standards which, in many cases, are specific to Oregon or go beyond what is required by federal law.  A tax credit allows Oregon to compete with states and nations with less stringent limits.

Acquisition of Utilities By Public Bodies

AOI Position:

AOI has historically opposed takeover of utilities by public bodies.

BETC Expansion

AOI Position:

AOI supports expansion of Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) to cover greenhouse gas reductions.

Biofuels

AOI Position:

AOI supports incentives to promote biofuels on case by case basis.

DEQ Innovative Technology

AOI Position:

AOI supports establishment of a DEQ Innovative Technology Center for cleanup options.

Contaminated site cleanup is very expensive. As a result, emerging technologies are arising that provide better results at less cost. An innovative technology center would encourage the use of alternative technologies, and be re-assessed after a few years.

Oregon Electricity Restructuring Act

AOI Position:

AOI opposes repeal of SB 1149, the Oregon Electricity Restructuring Act.

Emission Trading/Market Development

AOI Position:

AOI supports creation and use of voluntary and equitable trading and market-based options for emission reductions and habitat improvement. (Greenhouse gas cap and trade is a separate policy issue.)

Energy Facility Siting Process

AOI Position:

AOI supports the Energy Facility Siting process.

Water Quality Monitoring

AOI Position:

AOI supports funding for further monitoring of the Willamette River and other state waters when done as part of a statewide assessment.

Greenhouse Gas Reduction

AOI Position:

AOI supports incentives and innovation spurring voluntary reduc­tions in GHG emissions; preference for nationwide over regional or state Cap & Trade strategies; reduction mechanisms that do not damage Oregon’s competitiveness and do not focus on a single sector of the economy; and, mechanisms that grow Oregon’s economy.

Permit Surcharges

AOI Position:

AOI opposes permit surcharges for unrelated/non-beneficial state activities.

Proportionality of Regulatory Burdens

AOI Position:

AOI supports the policy that emission reductions should be dis­tributed per sector source (e.g., transportation, etc.) in an equitable and efficient manner.

State Delegation of Federal Programs

AOI Position:

AOI supports federal delegation of programs to the state level for implementation.

Franchise Taxes

AOI Position:

AOI opposes expansion/increase of franchise taxes.

OPUC Appointment Process

AOI Position:

AOI has historically been involved with the OPUC appointment process and will continue to do so as warranted.

3% Public Purpose Charge

AOI Position:

AOI supports the current Public Purpose Charge law, but opposes unnecessary changes to: 

• Increase the 3% public purpose charge 
• Extend the 2012 sunset 
• Expand PUC’s ability to modify charge or shifting funds among accounts 
• Shift authority to increase rates from the legislature to the PUC

Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS)

AOI Position:

AOI supports renewable power, increased flexibility within port­folio, and expand RPS only if strongly justified.

Natural Gas Supplies

AOI Position:

AOI supports increased availability of natural gas supplies.

In 2008, the Boards of AOI Oregon Business Council, Portland Business Association, and Oregon Business Association met jointly and reached a consensus that Oregon must seek new natural gas supplies in order to achieve a balanced resource portfolio that includes renewable and energy conservation as well as traditional resources. Additional pipeline capacity from the U.S. Rocky Mountain region and new sources like liquefied natural gas (LNG) can be developed in safe and environmentally sound ways that will diversify our natural gas supply base, and provide greater supply and price predictability.