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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Suspicious package forces evacuation of Jackson County Sheriff's Office ... Fatal crash slows traffic on Interstate 5 near Gold Hill ... Police seek man who conducted fake traffic stop Friday ... Suspicious package forces evacuation of Jackson County Sheriff's Office ... Fatal crash slows traffic on Interstate 5 near Gold Hill ... Police seek man who conducted fake traffic stop Friday ... OREGON LEGISLATURE Oregon House sends low-carbon fuels bill to governor Comment By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Mar. 4, 2015 at 6:37 PM By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Mar. 4, 2015 at 6:37 PM » Social News SALEM — The Oregon House voted Wednesday to send a climate change bill to Gov. Kate Brown, handing the Democrat a political hot potato as she settles into office. Brown has spoken favorably of extending Oregon's low-carbon fuel standard, but she hasn't specifically said whether she'll sign it. The initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions associated with transportation fuels and spur investments in clean energy. But critics worry about higher gas prices. Democrats approved the measure by the narrowest of margins, 31-29, after five hours of debate. "For the health and prosperity of the next generation, we have a responsibility to act," said Rep. Peter Buckley, D-Ashland. "The destructive impacts of climate change are not just in some far-off future." Four Democrats joined all 25 Republicans in opposition. The GOP has threatened to block a separate proposal to increase the gas tax to pay for transportation projects. Republicans last week pulled out of negotiations aimed at hammering out the package, saying Oregonians can only absorb so much increase in the cost of gas. "We are about to spend the money of Oregonians when they go to the gas pump, and not one dime for a road. Not one dime for a bridge," Rep. Mike McLane of Powell Butte, the top Republican in the House, said before the vote. The low-carbon fuel standard is intended to make alternative fuel technology more economically viable. California and British Columbia have approved similar legislation. Oregon's law was initially approved in 2009, but it was never implemented. It expires at the end of the year unless lawmakers take action. The program requires fuel producers to measure the carbon emissions associated with products over their entire life-cycle, including those from extracting, refining, transporting and burning them. Producers must reduce their life-cycle emissions by 10 percent over 10 years. To meet the target, they can blend biofuels or purchase credits generated by producers of cleaner-burning fuels. Because of the limitations of modern engines — and because biofuels have their own carbon emissions associated with growing them and converting them to ethanol — fuel producers can't meet the entire standard by blending biofuels. They'll likely have to purchase credits from alternative fuel companies. Supporters say that creates a guaranteed market that encourages investments in alternative transportation fuels, such as propane, natural gas and electricity. Critics say the cost of credits will drive up gas prices while having only a minuscule impact on global carbon emissions. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has estimated gas prices would increase by four to 19 cents per gallon. Oil companies have released much higher estimates. By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Mar. 4, 2015 at 6:37 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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