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Train cars containing coal roll into an unloading facility at Dominion Terminal Associates' coal terminal in Newport News, Va.

(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

By Kristen Sheeran

We like to do things our own way in Oregon. But checking in with our neighbors every now and again is a good idea.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced recently an ambitious plan to reduce carbon pollution. If implemented, Washington would join British Columbia and California as regional leaders in global efforts to address climate change. What's more, the program will generate about $1 billion annually, which will be used for transportation, education and disadvantaged communities.

Is it time for Oregon to act on climate as well? All of the evidence says yes.

Oregon is already paying the price for carbon pollution, whether we're fighting record-breaking forest fires, facing more destructive storms across the state and longer droughts east of the Cascades, or watching our shellfish industry struggle on the coast. The impacts are fundamentally unequal; rural and urban low-income communities and communities of color are more acutely experiencing the effects of pollution and global warming.

Our state has come a long way on its shared carbon footprint. We have innovative land-use policies alongside good investments in statewide energy efficiency and public transit. As individuals we have a commitment to recycling, reusing and reducing. Oregonians should expect major companies to show that same level of responsibility for reducing the pollution they put into our air as well.

A price on carbon makes sense for Oregon, especially considering potential revenue streams and job growth as we protect our environment. By pricing what we don't want — pollution — either directly through a carbon fee as in British Columbia, or indirectly through a pollution cap as in California, we can create the resources for more of what we want and need, such as cleaner energy, air and water along with economic development and stronger overall public health.

The potential revenue gains for Oregon are significant. A study recently released by Portland State University finds the state can generate around $2.3 billion in annual revenue by pricing carbon at $60 per ton. We can put this revenue to work for Oregonians in a variety of ways: protecting vulnerable households and businesses; investing in clean energy; financing infrastructure and public services; reducing income and business taxes; or rebating it to the public. Simply put, carbon pricing will provide us with options that we don't currently have in Oregon.

While the conversation about climate action continues, Oregon is up to the challenge on initial next steps. To meet our existing carbon reduction goals, Oregon must address emissions from transportation, our single largest emissions source, and coal, which still powers one-third of the electricity we consume. By re-authorizing the clean fuels program, and addressing measures to transition our electricity from coal to clean, renewable energy, the Legislature can demonstrate real climate leadership in 2015.

I hope Oregon lawmakers seize these opportunities. Oregonians are ready to build an equitable path from pollution to prosperity.

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Kristen Sheeran is the Oregon director for Climate Solutions, a clean energy economy nonprofit. She holds a doctorate in economics, with a focus on energy and climate.