Conservation groups ask Clackamas County to back SB 1541, a state 'Climate Superfund' bill

Rob Coogler, speaking on behalf of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters and Motivating Climate Action Together, asked the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners to support SB 1541, described in public comment as the Climate Superfund Recovery Program.

Coogler said the bill would require large corporations that contributed to climate change to pay retroactive recovery and cleanup costs for the period 1995–2024 and that the money would be available to counties and cities — often through grant programs — to fund resilience projects such as cooling centers and wildfire protection. “Thirty percent of the fund will be designated right out of the gate for wildfire protection,” Coogler said, and he argued the policy would not necessarily raise consumer gas prices because it targets past production costs and imposes retroactive payments on specific corporations.

Coogler acknowledged litigation is likely and cited New York and Vermont as earlier adopters of similar measures; he said Oregon Attorney General actions coordinated with other states could defend the law if challenged. Commissioners thanked Coogler for the briefing and several said they would like more details about implementation, fiscal impacts and local grant mechanics. Commissioner Savas asked where the funds would be derived; Coogler replied they would come from retroactive payments by major oil companies.

No formal board position was taken at the Feb. 5 meeting. Commissioners requested additional information and one commissioner asked staff to set aside time for deeper discussion at a future agenda.

The bill was introduced in the state legislature; Coogler said Sen. Golden is the sponsor and that there was a hearing in Salem the same day he spoke.

No county fiscal commitment was made at the meeting.