Chambers of Commerce to Fight Low Carbon Fuel Standard in Oregon

PORTLAND, OR--(Marketwired - Jan 29, 2015) -  The Oregon State Chamber of Commerce has made opposing the Low Carbon Fuel Standard a legislative priority for the upcoming session, taking a stand against a proposed mandate that will raise fuel costs for the state's businesses, working families and all consumers in Oregon.

"Our local communities today are just starting to realize the benefits of more disposable income due to lower fuel costs," states the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce's 2015 legislative agenda. "To deny our communities of this disposable income by artificially driving the cost of fuel back up with this costly mandate will hurt local communities.

"We oppose this mandate because it will drive up fuel costs and not put any money into our transportation infrastructure."

The Oregon State Chamber of Commerce represents 66 local chambers of commerce and the interests of tens of thousands of businesses. So far, almost 20 individual chambers of commerce have also signed on to oppose the Low Carbon Fuel Standard as part of their local agendas. These chambers are located all over Oregon, including Coos Bay on the coast; Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Tualatin, North Clackamas, Gresham and Wilsonville in the Portland area; Keizer, Newberg and Salem; Bend and Madras to the east; Grants Pass; and more.

These chambers are just the latest groups to join the chorus of voices fighting a hidden gas tax in Oregon.

The Low Carbon Fuel Standard is a hidden tax, raising the price of gas and diesel. The mandate would require the purchase of credits when it's impossible to comply with requirements for blending transportation fuels with ethanol or biodiesel, a cost leading to Oregonians paying more at the pump -- a hidden gas tax.

The standard also threatens local economies relying on tourism, as higher gas prices mean Oregonians will be less likely to recreate and travel to places such as the coast that rely on tourism to fill hotel rooms, restaurants and shops and provide thousands of jobs in those local communities.

Oregonians for Sound Fuel Policy is a coalition of fuel users, consumers and business organizations opposed to the adoption of the proposed Low Carbon Fuel Standard, or LCFS. For more information, visit www.OregonFuelPolicy.com.