Priorities for a Healthy Oregon
The Oregon Conservation Network and our Legislative Priorities
The Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) unites over 40 environmental organizations across the state to protect Oregon’s natural legacy and build a healthier, more sustainable, and just future. Each year, we come together to identify and advocate for shared Priorities for a Healthy Oregon while defending against Major Threats to our environment. Coordinated by the OLCV Education Fund and powered by hundreds of thousands of Oregonians through its member organizations, OCN played a leading role in the 2025 legislative session—advancing three key policy packages and our longstanding budget priority.
Transportation Package: The Oregon Legislature’s failure to pass a transportation package was a major missed opportunity to advance safe, equitable, sustainable, and climate-resilient mobility. As climate change and transportation inequity worsen, this inaction delays critical investments in clean, safe, and accessible transportation. Without a plan to reduce vehicle miles traveled and shift to clean mobility, Oregon remains off track to meet its climate goals. Equitable transportation and climate resilience must be treated as interconnected priorities—and we’ll keep fighting until the needs of all Oregonians are reflected in our transportation policy.
Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability (SB 88, HB 3081 & HB 3546): As Oregonians struggle with rising energy bills, major utilities are hiking rates and passing costs onto customers. One bill would have stopped ratepayers from footing the bill for industry lawyers, lobbyists, and advertising. Another aimed to simplify access to energy efficiency rebates. But heavy lobbying from fossil fuel and utility interests, combined with limited federal support and a tough budget year, blocked progress. One bright spot is that the Power Act passed—holding large energy users accountable for the costs they impose on the grid.
Safeguarding Streamflows to Protect Oregon’s Water (SB 427 & SB 1153): This bill would have modernized Oregon’s water transfer laws to ensure Oregon's water resources are addressed sustainably and equitably to protect ecosystems, communities, and future water needs. Without a comprehensive water strategy, Oregon risks falling further behind in managing one of our most vital resources.
Budget! This was a deeply challenging budget year—one of the worst we've seen for climate and natural resources funding in a long time, and with tough future budget years expected. Still, we fought hard, as we always do, to secure a strong climate budget and to protect funding for Oregon’s Natural Resources Agencies. These investments are essential to maintaining progress on climate action, conservation, and community resilience. Even in the face of severe constraints, we continue to advocate for the resources needed to meet Oregon’s environmental and climate goals.