Food NW Provides Comments on Oregon Climate Protection Program

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is conducting rulemaking to develop regulations for Energy-Intensive, Trade-Exposed (EITE) industries in Oregon that are subject to the Climate Protection Program (CPP). The CPP seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel sources.  Five Food Northwest (FNW) member facilities are subject to the CPP. Program compliance will be very costly, and these five EITE facilities compete in global markets. The challenge is to develop a regulatory framework that reduces greenhouse gas emissions while enabling these facilities to compete economically. Food Northwest is a member of DEQ’s advisory committee and submitted comments to DEQ on August 14 with recommendations we believe will reduce emissions and allow companies to remain competitive. Food Northwest also seeks to mitigate increases in natural gas costs for its other member companies. Any questions on this rulemaking can be directed to FNW staff Pam Barrow or Alan Prouty.