Transportation causes 35% of Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions. That’s why, in 2013, the state set a goal of reducing those emissions to 80% below their 1990 levels by 2050.

How are we doing on reaching that goal? Not well at all. The Oregon Department of Transportation recently announced that if current trends and policies continue, we will only achieve a 10% reduction by 2050.

Why? Largely because of policy changes enacted by the Trump administration. Oregon was making good progress toward its emission goals from 2013 to 2022, but we’ve regressed significantly since then. Federal regulators have greatly reduced vehicle emission standards. Federal incentives to purchase electric vehicles have been eliminated and funding for charging infrastructure has been withheld or cut back. And federal funding for public transit has been decimated.

What can we do about this, besides voting for elected officials who support healthy climate policies? One option is to drive electric. It’s cheaper, cleaner and more reliable than driving a gas car. The Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program’s window to qualify for an electric vehicle rebate is open through Nov. 4, providing generous incentives to purchase EVs. If you meet the income qualifications, you can get as much as $7,500 off the cost of a new EV or $4,000 off a used one.

National Drive Electric Month runs from Sept. 12 through Oct. 12, so do yourself, our community and the environment a favor — go electric!

Kurt Willcox
Eugene