Katerina Swanson
Oregon has been considering banning the sale of diesel fuel for several years. House Bill 3305, proposed by Representative Karin Power, would have phased out the sale of petroleum diesel over six years, beginning in the Portland area and then extending to the whole state. The bill aimed to reduce diesel pollution, which is a significant source of toxic air pollution in Oregon, costing billions in healthcare costs and lost lives. However, critics argued that the bill would negatively impact Oregon's economy and the availability of fuel for farm machinery. In 2025, Oregon lawmakers scrapped the proposal in favor of a task force to study alternative fuel supply and pricing. While the state has moved away from a complete ban on diesel fuel, it continues to explore ways to reduce diesel pollution and promote the use of cleaner fuels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for banning diesel fuel | Diesel pollution is one of Oregon's greatest toxic air pollution problems, costing billions in lost lives and healthcare costs across the state. |
| Bill to ban diesel fuel | HB 3305, also known as Oregon HB3305 |
| Timeline for banning diesel fuel | First in the Portland area, then throughout Oregon |
| Backers' goal | Spur widespread use of "renewable diesel," a product with far lower emissions that can be used in any diesel engine |
| Alternative fuels | Biofuels such as renewable diesel and biodiesel |
| Other bills related to diesel fuel | HB 2007, SB 803 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Oregon's diesel pollution problem
Oregon has been facing one of its greatest toxic air pollution problems due to diesel. Hundreds of people die prematurely every year because of diesel exhaust, and the state has been losing billions in healthcare costs and lost lives. In 2019, Oregon's legislators forwarded HB 2007 to accelerate diesel clean-up, with a particular focus on the Portland metro area. The bill aimed to phase out old diesel engines in trucks in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties. By 2023, all diesel-powered medium and heavy-duty trucks in these counties were required to run on an engine of 1997 or newer. By 2029, all diesel-powered medium-duty trucks and publicly owned heavy-duty trucks in Oregon must run on an engine of 2010 or newer, and all privately-owned diesel-powered heavy-duty trucks must run on an engine of 2007 or newer.
In 2021, Oregon's House Democrats introduced House Bill 3305, which aimed to set a staggered timeline for ending sales of diesel in the state, first in the Portland area, then throughout Oregon. The bill was proposed by Representative Karin Power, who wanted to outlaw the sales of petroleum diesel for use in motor vehicles. The bill's backers hoped to encourage the use of renewable diesel, which has far lower emissions and can be used in any diesel engine. The use of renewable diesel has been supported by Keith Wilson, president of Portland-based trucking company Titan Freight Systems, who has seen a reduction in his company's emissions since switching to renewable diesel.
However, critics of the bill to phase out petroleum diesel worried about the fuel's availability for farm machinery. In 2025, Oregon lawmakers scrapped the proposal, instead moving ahead with a bill to study alternative fuel supply and pricing. This decision was influenced by concerns over the availability and production capacity of renewable diesel, as well as the potential impact on industries such as logging and farming that rely on diesel for their equipment and vehicles.
While efforts to directly phase out diesel fuel in Oregon have been halted, other measures are being considered to reduce diesel pollution. The Supporting Businesses in Reducing Diesel Emissions Task Force is exploring public funding strategies beyond the VW settlement to support businesses in upgrading their fleets. Additionally, the Oregon Department of Transportation will report on trends in truck registrations, and the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule is expected to have an impact on transportation decisions in the state.
RV Diesel Bus: How Many Gallons of Fuel?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$59.3
$217.99 $229.99
The proposed HB 3305 bill
The bill's supporters advocate for the widespread adoption of "renewable diesel," which has significantly lower emissions and can be utilized in any diesel engine. They argue that this transition to renewable diesel could provide a swift and effective means for Oregon to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The bill proposes a six-year phase-out period, starting in 2023, during which the use of petroleum diesel would be gradually eliminated.
While the HB 3305 bill initially faced opposition and criticism, Oregon lawmakers have shifted their focus. Instead of a direct ban on petroleum diesel, they have moved forward with a bill to study alternative fuel supply and pricing. This decision was influenced by concerns about the availability and affordability of renewable diesel as a viable option for motor vehicles.
E85 Fuel in Diesel Farm Machinery: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The impact on the fuel market
Oregon has been struggling with toxic air pollution caused by diesel, which has cost the state billions in healthcare costs and lost lives. To address this, Oregon lawmakers have considered and proposed various bills to regulate diesel pollution and reduce diesel emissions.
One such bill is the House Bill 3305 (HB 3305), which aimed to set a staggered timeline for ending sales of diesel in the state, first in the Portland area and then throughout Oregon. The bill intended to encourage the use of "renewable diesel," which has lower emissions and can be used in any diesel engine. While this bill could have a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it has faced criticism for the potential disruption it could cause to the daily lives of Oregonians and the state's economy.
Another bill, Senate Bill 803 (SB 803), proposes to mandate a carbon intensity standard for diesel sold in the Portland metropolitan area and gradually expand it to the entire state by 2030. It also limits petroleum diesel to 1% of the diesel sold, with the remaining 99% being a combination of biodiesel (BD) and renewable diesel (RD). This bill is expected to impact fuel costs and supply in Oregon, particularly in rural areas surrounding Portland that rely on petroleum diesel.
Additionally, there was a proposal, HB 4141, which aimed to prohibit the sale of petroleum diesel for motor vehicles, starting in the Portland metropolitan area and gradually expanding statewide. However, this proposal was scrapped in favor of forming a task force to study alternative fuel supply and pricing. The primary concern with a diesel ban is the availability of alternative fuels like renewable diesel, which currently has limited production and storage capacity.
Fuel-Efficient Diesel SUVs: Best Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The transition to biofuels
Oregon has been struggling with toxic air pollution from diesel exhaust, which has been causing billions in healthcare costs and premature deaths. To tackle this, the state has proposed various bills to reduce diesel pollution and cut greenhouse gas emissions. One such bill is HB 3305, which aims to phase out the sale of petroleum diesel and encourage a transition to biofuels such as renewable diesel and biodiesel.
Biofuels, such as renewable diesel and biodiesel, are considered cleaner alternatives to petroleum diesel as they have lower emissions. Renewable diesel, in particular, has been highlighted as a viable option as it can be used in any diesel engine without requiring any modifications. This makes it a convenient and immediate solution for reducing emissions while other technologies are still in development. Additionally, the use of renewable diesel has been shown to reduce emissions significantly, as demonstrated by Keith Wilson, president of Portland-based trucking company Titan Freight Systems, who has successfully reduced emissions for his company by transitioning to renewable diesel.
However, there are concerns about the feasibility of a rapid transition to biofuels. Critics argue that the production and storage capacity for renewable diesel is not sufficient to meet the demand for motor vehicles, especially in industries such as logging and farming, which heavily rely on diesel fuel. Additionally, renewable diesel is more expensive to produce than petroleum diesel, and without state subsidies, it may not be a cost-effective option for many consumers.
To address these concerns, Oregon lawmakers have scrapped the proposal to phase out petroleum diesel and have instead moved forward with a bill to study alternative fuel supply and pricing. This decision allows for a more comprehensive analysis of the availability and pricing of biofuels before implementing a complete phase-out of petroleum diesel. In the meantime, Oregon continues to explore other solutions to reduce emissions, such as accelerating the uptake of cleaner engines and electric vehicles, while also providing support for businesses to upgrade their fleets and transition to cleaner fuels.
Choosing the Right Diesel Fuel for Your John Deere 3025E
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The impact on Oregon's economy
Oregon has been considering banning the sale of petroleum diesel for use in motor vehicles. The original proposal, HB 4141, would have prohibited the sale of petroleum diesel for motor vehicles, beginning with the Portland metropolitan area in 2025 and 2026, then Western Oregon in 2027 and 2028, and the entire state in 2029. However, this proposal was scrapped in favor of a task force to study alternative fuel supply and pricing.
The potential ban on diesel fuel in Oregon has been a source of concern for many in the state, including lawmakers, businesses, and residents. One of the main concerns is the impact that such a ban could have on Oregon's economy. Here are some key points regarding the potential economic impact:
- Increased costs for businesses and consumers: A shift to renewable diesel or biodiesel would likely result in higher fuel costs for businesses and consumers. While state subsidies and federal incentives have helped to make renewable diesel more affordable in Oregon, it is still more expensive to produce than petroleum diesel. Increased fuel costs could impact the bottom line for businesses, especially those in the trucking and logistics industries, and could be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices for goods and services.
- Disruption to industries: A ban on diesel fuel could disrupt industries that rely heavily on diesel-powered vehicles and equipment, such as logging and agriculture. Representatives from these industries have expressed concern over the availability and supply of alternative fuels, and the potential impact on their operations.
- Impact on rural communities: Rural communities in Oregon, which are often supplied by truck from Portland terminals, could be disproportionately affected by a diesel ban. Approximately 75% of the diesel consumed in-state is supplied by Portland terminals, and a ban could make it difficult to supply petroleum diesel to these areas.
- Transition challenges: A rapid transition to renewable or biodiesel fuels could pose challenges for businesses and consumers in terms of accessibility and affordability. While the state has access to funds from the Volkswagen settlement, it may not be sufficient to cover the costs of upgrading fleets or transitioning to new technologies.
- Economic disruptions: Some have argued that implementing a diesel ban without adequate alternatives in place could disrupt Oregon's economy. For example, Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson stated that the proposed legislation could result in an "extreme disruption to Oregonians' daily lives and the obliteration of our economy as we know it."
Overall, while the proposed ban on diesel fuel in Oregon aims to address the state's air quality and climate change goals, it is important to carefully consider the potential economic impacts on various industries, rural communities, and consumers. A balanced approach that takes into account the availability and affordability of alternative fuels is crucial to ensure a smooth transition and minimize negative economic consequences.
Diesel Fuel: Understanding the Number Behind the Pump
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Oregon is banning the sale of petroleum diesel fuel. This will be done in a staggered manner, with the Portland area being the first to experience the ban.
By 2029, all diesel-powered medium-duty trucks and publicly owned heavy-duty trucks must run on an engine that is 2010 or newer. All privately owned diesel-powered heavy-duty trucks must run on an engine that is 2007 or newer.
Oregon is banning diesel fuel to reduce diesel pollution, which is one of the state's greatest toxic air pollution problems. The ban will help cut into greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
