Fuel Users and Business Organizations Form Coalition to Oppose Oregon's Low Carbon Fuels Standard

PORTLAND, OR--(Marketwire - Nov 28, 2012) - In advance of hearings next week at the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission and the upcoming legislative session, a group of fuel users, consumers and business organizations opposed to the adoption of the proposed Clean Fuels Program in Oregon has banded together to form Oregonians for Sound Fuel Policy.

Oregonians for Sound Fuel Policy is concerned that the proposed Clean Fuel Program will only expose Oregonians to volatile fuel costs at the pump, additional government regulations of small businesses, and increase the already aggressive blending requirements for ethanol and other forms of bio diesel.

The coalition shares the goal of reducing Oregon's greenhouse gas emissions but is concerned the limited reductions in GHG emissions created by the Clean Fuels Program are not worth the cost to the state's consumers, businesses and jobs. The group is concerned that the Clean Fuels Program punishes consumers and businesses that have already made significant contributions to greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency programs, wise choices in vehicles and adoption of alternative transport modes and technologies.

"A Low Carbon Fuel Standard will raise fuel costs, slow the state's economic recovery, and create unnecessary overlap and confusion between Oregon's existing alternative fuels programs," cautioned Mike Salsgiver, Executive Director of the Oregon Columbia Chapter of Associated General Contractors.

"There is no doubt in our minds that an LCFS will increase the cost of fuel for Oregonians," added Debra Dunn, President of the Oregon Trucking Associations. "Not only will increased fuel prices have an adverse impact on Oregon's trucking industry but it will also harm Oregon's economy as the trucking industry transports the vast majority of the freight in our state."

Both Salsgiver and Dunn are members of the coalition. Other members include: Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Trucking Associations, Associated General Contractors, Associated Oregon Industries, Portland Business Alliance, Oregon Petroleum Association, Oregon People's Utility District Association, Associated Oregon Loggers, Oregon Metals Industry Council, Oregon Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association and more.

Oregonians for Sound Fuel Policy is a coalition of fuel users, consumers and business organizations opposed to the adoption of the proposed Clean Fuels Program in Oregon, also known as a Low Carbon Fuels Standard. www.oregonfuelpolicy.com