This bill furthers the agenda of government choosing winners and losers. It’s a rip-off of taxpayers.
This bill requires Oregon Department of Administrative Services to make rules that say how the agency will buy products and services from clean energy technology (-3 adds manufacturing) companies to create and retain high-skilled manufacturing jobs. (-3 expands its definition to include equipment for producing green electrolytic hydrogen.) It includes rules on how a company must use and operate on clean energy technology and dictates an employment plan to be eligible for a state contract. Directs the department to cooperate with state agencies that have expertise in energy production and conservation and in reducing or mitigating environmental impacts.
SECTION 6. In addition to and not in lieu of any other appropriation, there is appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department, for the biennium ending June 30, 2025, out of the General Fund, the amount of $20,000,000 for deposit into Oregon Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing Opportunity Fund established under section 3 of this 2024 Act. Section 3(3) says the funds are to award grants to entities that lend to clean energy technology companies – So we are giving money to a lender to lend money they will get paid back, but isn’t required to reimburse it to the state so the lendee can qualify for procurement contracts from the state. But, the department can make its own loans under Section 3(5) with the Council’s advise, which requires repayment.
Requires the Governor to establish a Clean Technology Leadership Advisory Council to advise the Oregon Business Development Department on decisions and to study and recommend methods of attracting, fostering and sustaining manufacturing firms and operations in this state, while maximizing additional benefits, including creating and sustaining living wage or union jobs, alleviating supply chain constraints and improving access to clean energy technologies, supporting technological innovation and diversifying the economy of this state.
The state has used its procurement preferences to promote certain activities or outcomes. For example, in 2019, Senate Bill 1044 established goals to promote zero-emission vehicles and set procurement requirements for state agencies to purchase or lease zero-emission vehicles for fleets. Particularly after the freeze, electric vehicles are on the downturn, wind turbines are destroying fowl and set idol in disrepair, solar panels are manufactured in China and companies can’t compete without federal funding. So maybe they can get a loan under HB 4112.