Oregon Environmental Council Inc

Transportation solutionsoec promotes clean, healthy, safe, and equitable transportation solutions that connect people to the goods and services they need to thrive. In the fiscal year ending march 31, 2024, we co-led the clean and just transportation network, a statewide collaboration to advance transportation electrification and secure sustainable funding for a more equitable transportation system. We also worked in partnership to lay the groundwork for the move oregon forward campaign to advance a transportation package in the 2025 legislative session that rapidly reduces climate emissions while expanding safe, affordable transportation choices for all oregonians. We support transportation electrification, including through advocating for funding for state incentives programs to help low- and moderate-income oregonians afford new and used electric vehicles. We also supported the states efforts to leverage federal funding investments for transportation electrification and collaborated with oregon state university on securing 4 electric utility vehicles that will be used at extension sites around oregon.

Toxic-free environmentsoec works to reduce peoples exposure to toxic chemicals found in the natural and built environment, especially children (who are particularly vulnerable) and people of color and low-income communities (who are disproportionately exposed). We promote safe, non-toxic products through public policy and through consumer-engagement programs that encourage companies to use safer chemicals. During the fiscal year ending march 31, 2024, we successfully advocated in the legislature to secure new and expanded protections for the health of all oregonians, including the toxic free cosmetics act to remove harmful chemicals from personal care products and modernizing the toxic free kids modernization act to regulate classes of chemicals used in kids products. We worked with environmental justice and workers rights partners to strengthen protections for outdoor and other frontline workers against climate-fueled extreme heat and wildfire smoke. Our advocacy helped pass legislation phasing out single-use plastic used in food containers (in turn limiting exposure to pfas), and reducing e-waste (and thereby lead, mercury and cadmium). We developed communications materials on plastics as a health, climate and waste concern. We also published and distributed a clean cosmetics buying guide, providing consumers with affordable options.