OReGO is the “green” option
May 28, 2015 | OReGO Communications Team
In 1919, Oregon pioneered the nation’s first gas tax to provide much-needed funding to improve and expand our state roadways. In fact, the gas tax was created to “Get Oregon out of the mud!” by providing funding so Oregon could turn dirt roads into more drivable highways.
For nearly a century, Oregon’s transportation system – and its funding – has remained directly tied to using fossil fuels (and more recently, other fuels like compressed natural gas and other renewable fuels). Over this same timeframe, we’ve learned a lot about the impacts of automobile use on our environment as well as on our roads.
We see many advantages to alternative funding sources. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from burning traditional fuels is essential to preserving Oregon’s environment and air quality. Also, our economy depends on safe and efficient transportation infrastructure, but fuel efficient vehicles and increased costs erode the effectiveness of fuels tax.
That’s why a road usage charge alternative like OReGO is a green and sustainable option for the future of Oregon. Charging drivers by the mile instead of by the gallon severs fuel usage from road funding. It also aligns with the “user pays principle” by charging people only for the amount they ‘use’ the roads.
Want to do your part in helping protect our environment? Sign up for the OReGO Interest List today to be first in line to get updates on how you can help create a sustainable transportation funding solution for all Oregonians.
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Peter Burnham says:
What a bunch of Green Washing nonsense. The Fuel Tax IS the “Green Option”. A fuel tax incents lower fuel consumption. Consumption of fuel has a linear relationship to usage of the road. If the fuel tax comes up short because of fleet efficiency then increase the fuel tax! This scheme is an expensive way to collect taxes and it does not do away with the fuel tax! So a user pays for OReGO then gets refunded for the collected fuel tax. How can you people in ODOT even consider such a scheme? JUst flat tax the electric car drivers $100 per year and move on. Make sure all the collected fuel tax goes to roads and we are done!