Carbon Questions: Can Oregon Reduce Emissions and Create Jobs?

Going into the 2018 legislative session, the chatter around Salem was that a carbon-reduction bill would be a top priority for lawmakers. However, the Clean Energy Jobs bill (Senate Bill 1070) never made it out of committee, and proponents vowed to make a big push during the full session in 2019. 

Signaling that this legislation really will be a top priority this time, Senate President Peter Courtney and House Speaker Tina Kotek are co-chairing a Joint Committee on Carbon Reduction. 

On June 15, we'll take a closer look at this legislation and what its proponents hope it will do. Join us to learn a little more and to ask your questions about how carbon taxes will affect our environment, energy systems, and economy.

Panelists

Michael Dembrow is the Oregon state senator for District 23, covering portions of NE and SE Portland and the city of Maywood Park. First elected by voters in 2008 to the state house, he is serving his first term in the senate after being appointed to the seat in November 2013.  Voters re-elected Michael to the senate in November 2014.

Michael currently serves as Chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.  He also sits on the Judiciary Committee.

In addition to his legislative committee assignments, Michael also serves on the Oregon Workforce Investment Board, the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps Advisory Committee, and the Oregon Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs.

Kristen Sheeran Ph.D. serves as director of Oregon’s Carbon Policy Office and Governor Brown’s energy and climate advisor. An economist by training, she has researched and practiced in the field of clean energy and climate policy for more than fifteen years. Her career spans leadership positions in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. She has published numerous articles on carbon policy and co-authored a book on environmental markets.

Vivian Satterfield is a community organizer, social movement builder, and policy shaper. She is currently the Deputy Director of OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon, working at the intersection of transportation, housing, and climate with a racial justice lens.

Moderator

Steph Routh has more than a decade of experience in advocacy at the local, regional, and state levels. She has previously served as the Executive Director of Oregon Walks, and on the staff of Green Empowerment, a Portland-based nonprofit that works with local partners around the world to strengthen communities by delivering renewable energy and safe clean water. Steph co-hosts the "Why Isn't Anyone Talking About This?" podcast and the City Club's own "Next at the Mic" podcast.