2010 Legislative Roundup

In the February 2010 Oregon Legislative Session, CLF supported SB 1032, which would have banned the toxic, Bisphenol A, in baby bottles and sippy cups, and SB 1059, which integrates land use and transportation planning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Thanks to the many CLF members who worked hard to pass these bills. 

Oregon Senate rejects SB 1032: Ban on Bisphenol A

On February 16, 2010 the Oregon Senate voted 15 to 15 to reject a bill that would have protected Oregon’s children from exposure to bisphenol A (BPA).

SB 1032 would have banned manufacturing, distributing or selling reusable containers made with bisphenol A if the container was designed to be filled with liquid or food intended primarily for consumption by children less than three years of age.

Scientific studies show that the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) is harmful to children’s health. Small amounts of the chemical have been found to leach into food and drink from polycarbonate baby bottles, water bottles and food containers, and from the epoxy lining of metal food and beverage cans. Yet BPA is used to make bottles and other containers that can leach the chemical into food or drink.

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expressed concern about BPA and provided guidelines for parents on how to limit their children’s exposure.

There is little government oversight of toxic chemicals in children’s products, and federal regulators are slow to act on emerging scientific evidence showing reasons for concern.

CLF Members supporting SB1032 include Community Health Partnership, Oregon’s Public Health Institute, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Oregon Environmental Council, and Rachel's Friends Breast Cancer Coalition.

Legislature Approves SB 1059: Greenhouse Gas Bill  

In the next to last day of the February legislative session, the Oregon legislature approved the Greenhouse Gas Bill, SB 1059.

SB 1059 calls for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in five of the state’s metro areas including; Eugene-Springfield, Salem-Keizer, Medford, Corvallis and Bend. The Portland metro area is covered by another law regulating greenhouse gases.

SB 1059-B implements the recommendations of the 2009 Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Greenhouse Gas Emissions Task Force.

The task force, made up of diverse stakeholders from around the state, came to a consensus that a combined state and local government approach, phased in over time, could achieve the above benefits while helping Oregon meet our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.

How Oregon will benefit from SB 1059:

1. Reduced infrastructure costs and protection of valuable farmland
2. Reduced household costs and larger economic benefits
3. Support healthy lifestyles and more time spent with family members
4. Give consumers what they want: living in communities that allow them to use their car less often.
5.  Protects the environment through reduced greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

CLF members supporting SB 1059 include 1000 Friends of Oregon, Oregon Environmental Council, and Upstream Public Health.