9/29/2021 House District 30 Newsletter

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Representative Janeen Sollman

Friends and Neighbors,

Redistricting Updates

Session Pics

On Monday, the Oregon Legislature passed legislative and congressional maps. This will be the third time since 1911 that the Legislature has succeeded in passing electoral maps.

Despite the Census data being delayed and the short timeline, there were 22 hearings and nearly 2,000 pieces of public testimony from across the state. Thank you to the committee and staff for your hours and hours of service.

Yesterday's yes vote was not an easy vote for me personally, but I had to consider the committee's full work and larger map across Oregon and not just my personal district. It was bigger than my district. House District 30 is changing, we knew it would due to growth. There will be changes to the southeastern side of the district as parts of Aloha are moved into a neighboring district in order to combine with each other. I am also disappointed to no longer be representing the City of North Plains in House District 30 after 2022. I grew up in nearby Gales Creek and North Plains and their community felt small town, big hopes/plans and good community to me. Thank you Teri Lenahan, Mayor of North Plains for being a good leader for NP. I was always welcomed by constituents at events, parades and meetings in NP. This sadness was not about losing votes for me, this was about community and the connections that NP has to services in Washington County, Oregon. It feels like a deep miss. While I am disappointed for the change, I vow to always "represent" and I will work with the "new" legislators to show them just what a gem they truly have.

The maps below show the House District 30 changes. To find out more about redistricting, see the full maps, or listen to previous hearings, visit                www.oregonlegislature.gov/redistricting

HD 30 Maps

COVID-19 Updates

Governor Kate Brown Provides COVID-19, Pfizer Booster Shot Update

Governor, OHA committed to ensuring anyone eligible, especially vulnerable Oregonians, able to get a booster shot

In a press conference yesterday, Governor Kate Brown provided an update on the current state of COVID-19 and the state's plan for delivering booster shots. She was joined by Oregon Health Authority Public Health Director Rachael Banks, Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Tom Jeanne, and Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill.

"The good news is that, while we still have a long way to go, it appears things are slowly getting better," said Governor Brown. "And every day there is renewed hope as we see more people getting vaccinated, progress on vaccines for our 5-11 year olds, and now, the beginning of boosters for some of our most vulnerable.

"Everyone who is eligible for a booster will get one. For those who have received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, I ask for your patience as we wait for further data and guidance from the federal government. For those who received the Pfizer vaccine but are not yet eligible for a booster, please know that you are still well protected from COVID-19. Boosters offer an extra layer of protection — and that is important for individuals at higher risk of exposure or illness — but you are still fully vaccinated with the two doses."

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared their recommendations for the first large group of Americans who are eligible for booster shots. The Western States Scientific Safety Workgroup followed with their recommendations, which align with the federal guidance, and which Oregon will be following. The Governor's statement on the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup can be found here .

These groups of Oregonians who received the Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months ago are now eligible and recommended to receive a booster shot:

  • People 65 and older,
  • People living in long-term care facilities, and
  • People 50 and older with underlying medical conditions.

Additionally, the following group of Oregonians ages 18-64 who received the Pfizer vaccine may receive a booster after 6 months:

  • People with underlying medical conditions, and
  • People who are at a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission due to occupational or institutional setting. This includes Oregonians like health care workers, teachers and grocery workers.

Additional Materials

  • A recording of yesterday's press conference — with an American Sign Language simulcast — is available on YouTube
  • Please note the video starts at the 32:22 mark. 
  • An HD recording of today's event for members of the media is available on Vimeo
  • A copy of the Governor's prepared remarks from yesterday's press conference is available here.
Booster Graphic

Find a COVID-19 Vaccine in Washington County

From Washington County Health & Human Services

Washington County's Mobile Vaccine Team: Our mobile team is traveling the county to make it easier for people to get the vaccine close to where they live, shop or hang out. We add new locations regularly, so there's a good chance we'll be in your neighborhood soon. Find the schedule here

Local pharmacies: Pharmacies are required to offer second/boost doses to people who received their first dose somewhere else.

Beaverton Resource Center: This clinic will extend into October. We'll post details here as they become available, or visit Project Access Now's website.

Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Centers: All vaccination events are open to the community, do not require an appointment, and do not require you to be a Virginia Garcia patient. You do not have to have insurance in order to receive a vaccine. If you have insurance, please bring your card with you. Remember, vaccines are free!

Still have questions or need language assistance? Call our HelpLine at 1-833-907-3520.

Environmental Updates

Oregon Department of Energy Re-Launching Solar + Storage Rebate Program with Additional $10 Million in Funding

From the Oregon Department of Energy

The Oregon Department of Energy recently announced its re-launch of the Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program, which offers rebates to residential customers and low-income service providers who install solar or solar and paired energy storage systems (batteries).

The program first launched in January 2020 and, to date, has made funding commitments (either as rebates or reservations for rebates) to 369 projects, representing over $1.38 million. The program’s initial funding was exhausted by the end of 2020, but the Oregon Legislature allocated an additional $10 million earlier this year to continue the popular program.

Homeowners are eligible for rebates up to $5,000 for solar and an additional $2,500 for paired energy storage installed together. Low-income service providers – such as nonprofits, municipalities, or other organizations serving low-income Oregonians – are eligible for up to $30,000 for solar plus $15,000 for paired storage. Rebates are issued to ODOE-approved contractors, who pass the full amount of the rebate on as savings to their customers.

The program has a special focus on expanding access to renewable energy to Oregonians who may not otherwise be able to afford the investment in solar. At least 25 percent of rebate funds each year will be reserved for low- or moderate-income residential customers and low-income service providers. ODOE plans to update administrative rules for the program to encourage even more participation from low-income service providers, such as affordable housing organizations.

“We’re thrilled to be able to continue this rebate program and expand access to clean, renewable energy,” said ODOE Director Janine Benner. “In the first round of program funding, over half of the rebate dollars were committed to low- or moderate-income customers and low-income service providers – and we look forward to continuing to make solar and storage options more accessible for more Oregon families.”

ODOE will resume accepting rebate reservations from eligible contractors on September 27. Contractors can still sign up for the program through ODOE’s website, where Oregonians can also learn more about program eligibility and rebate caps, and find a list of approved contractors.

Electric Vehicle Transportation and Infrastructure Support

At a recent Community Conversation, I heard from a constituent about the concern that as more electric vehicles come onto the grid, we need to have the capacity to support them. Thank you to PGE for sharing the following information on how they are preparing now for an electric transportation future.

PGE

The energy world is changing. New technologies, changing customer values and needs, and the impact of climate change are driving creation of a new, two-way power grid that will help us partner with our customers to ensure a reliable, affordable and clean energy future for all. To support the smart, flexible power grid of the future, we are regularly modernizing our grid through system upgrades, undergrounding projects and preventative maintenance.

One part of the clean energy future is increased adoption of electric vehicles, which we are preparing for as a company and how we serve customers as a fuel provider. We have rebates for residential and business customers who are interested in installing EV chargers and are electrifying our own fleet of vehicles. And while EV chargers are the most visible piece of equipment supporting EVs, we are also working on upgrades to electric infrastructure, including electrical equipment and our distribution system. Proactively planning for and investing in this infrastructure to serve EVs will allow us to serve customers as efficiently and cost effectively as possible. We consider things like increased need for energy to charge EVs, as well as the potential for using EVs as energy storage, as part of our long-term planning process, which is a public process conducted under oversight of the Oregon Public Utility Commission to forecast the amount of energy needed to serve our customers on any day, rain or shine. As an essential service provider, we are constantly planning to meet our customers’ needs in the next hour, day, and in the weeks and years ahead, including electricity demand from electric vehicles. We will continue to thoughtfully plan to reliably and affordably serve you as we use more and more renewable energy and fuel the electric transportation future.

DEQ Rulemaking-Climate Protection Program: Sept. 30, 2021

From DEQ

On Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, the Environmental Quality Commission will host the second public hearing for the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Program 2021 Rulemaking to establish a new Climate Protection Program to limit greenhouse gas emissions from certain sources in Oregon.

Anyone can attend the hearing by webinar or by phone. The hearing will be online and by teleconference only. Anyone who has not already provided oral comment can provide comment at this second hearing. Due to the anticipated high level of interest, DEQ requests that each comment be limited to two minutes. A portion of the hearing is reserved for pre-registered commenters. Time is also available for commenters who are not pre-registered.

Hearing #2 hosted by the EQC

Pre-registration to provide oral comment at this hearing is full.

In the event you are unable to join the hearing due to technology difficulties or participant capacity limitations, there are additional ways to comment, including by email and mail.

  • Comment by email: Commenters should include “Rulemaking Comment” in the email subject line. Submit emails to: GHGCR2021@deq.state.or.us.
  • Comment by mail:
    Oregon DEQ
    Attn: Nicole Singh
    700 NE Multnomah St., Suite 600
    Portland, OR 97232-4100
  • Comment Deadline: DEQ will consider comments on the proposed rules received by 4 p.m., on October 4, 2021.

Note for public university students: ORS 192.345(29) allows Oregon public university and OHSU students to protect their university email addresses from disclosure under Oregon’s public records law. If you are an Oregon public university or OHSU student, notify DEQ that you wish to keep your email address confidential.

Additional materials: The audio recording of the Sept. 22, 2021 public hearing is available on the rulemaking website Greenhouse Gas Emissions Program 2021.

Additional Information: Sign up to receive rulemaking updates here. Contact GHGCR2021@deq.state.or.us with questions.

Community Outreach

Portland March for Reproductive Rights

Saturday, October 2nd at 11:00 a.m. at REVOLUTION HALL. Find more information here.

March Graphic

Additional Resources

 House District 30 Links

Federal Delegation Links

Education Links

Food and Housing Assistance

Be good to yourself and each other. ❤

Onward & Upward,

Janeen

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1430
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-487, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sollman