HB 3346
Requires the Department of Land Conservation and Development, in consultation with the Department of Revenue, State Department of Energy and Water Resources Department, to study siting of energy facilities in designated critical ground water areas east of the Cascade Range.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
60%
Oppose
40%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill directs the Department of Land Conservation and Development to study the process of locating energy facilities in areas with critically low groundwater levels east of the Cascade Range. The department will consult with the Department of Revenue and the Department of Energy and Water Resources during this study. The findings of the study will be submitted to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly by September 15, 2026.
Key provisions
- The Department of Land Conservation and Development will conduct a study.
- The study will focus on siting energy facilities.
- The study area is designated critical groundwater areas east of the Cascade Range.
- The Department of Land Conservation and Development will consult with the Department of Revenue and the Department of Energy and Water Resources.
- Findings must be submitted to legislative interim committees.
- The deadline for submitting findings is September 15, 2026.
Who is affected
- Department of Land Conservation and Development
- Department of Revenue
- Department of Energy and Water Resources
- Legislative Assembly
- Energy Facility Developers
Notable changes
- Establishes a study to guide energy facility siting in vulnerable groundwater areas.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsor
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of the legislation advocate for replacing irrigation water uses in Critical Groundwater Areas with non-carbon based energy production, such as solar and wind, while preserving Exclusive Farm Use land character. Farmers and agricultural stakeholders emphasize the need for support, citing challenges related to water scarcity and market fluctuations, particularly in areas like the Fort Rock Hydrological Basin. They argue that House Bill 3346 offers a promising solution by enabling sustainable energy development on previously underutilized irrigation field corners, which are not viable for traditional farming due to water constraints, thereby promoting environmentally friendly practices without compromising productive farmland.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of HB 3346 express concerns that the bill's proposed funding and budget allocation are insufficient to address the issue of statewide residential housing sewer hookup moratoriums. They argue that the lack of sufficient resources will hinder the effectiveness of the measure, citing the need for increased investment in this area. Additionally, some testifiers question the necessity of the study itself, suggesting that it lacks a clear objective or problem requiring state spending, and that alternative approaches may be more effective in addressing the issue at hand.