Two ballot measures in Oregon – Measures 66 and 67 – will be the focus of statewide voting in January 2010. Simply put, these measures extend a set of tax revenues to fund general state obligations such as education and social and health services. If defeated, the Oregon Legislature will have a momentous task of finding severe cuts in basic services in order to balance the budget. A description of the ballot measures and their implications for the Oregon economy is available from the Oregon Center for Public Policy (www.ocpp.org) While the fate of these ballot measures and their effect on state services is clear, it is not quite as transparent as to how energy efficiency in the state might be affected. For insight, one has to look no further than the probable fate of the popular Business Energy Tax Credit (see related story below). Under a scenario where measures 66/67 are defeated, the state will have strong motivation to end even tax credit programs that have demonstrably provided good long term economic development gains for Oregon.
 The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council transitioned to the name Building Potential in 2024. The organization’s legal name remains the same and the Board of Directors and Staff have not changed. |