Understanding Gov. Brown’s Climate Change Order

Before the novel coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic, the big story in Oregon legislative politics was the walk out by state Republicans to prevent Democrats from passing a cap and trade bill. Without a quorum, Democratic lawmakers were not able to pass the bill and the 2020 session ended. In response, Gov. Kate Brown issued a 14-page executive order that directs sweeping changes to mitigate climate change. Angus Duncan, who heads the state’s Global Warming Commission, breaks down exactly what’s in the order, the changes it mandates, and how Oregonians will be affected.