Meghan Hodges
Knute Buehler, the former Republican nominee for Governor of Oregon in the 2018 election, has been criticized for his ties to big polluters and anti-environmental policies. Despite claiming to be environmentally conscious, Buehler has received significant campaign contributions from corporations and lobbying groups that oppose or weaken environmental regulations. Records show that Buehler has accepted over $850,000 from these sources, with some estimates putting the figure at over $1 million. This has led to concerns about his commitment to protecting the environment and addressing climate change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total amount received from big polluters | Over $850,000 |
| Amount received from Oregon corporations and lobbying groups that have opposed or weakened environmental regulation | At least $884,500 |
| Amount received from James Young, co-founder of Entek International | $350,000 |
| Amount received from Entek International | $75,000 |
| Amount received from Restoregon | $5,000 |
| Amount received from Roseburg Forest Products | $160,000 |
| Amount received from Lone Rock Timber Management | $90,000 |
| Amount received from Hampton Timber and its owner, David Hampton | $55,000 |
| Amount received from Oregon Forest & Industries Council and Oregon Business & Industry | $15,000 |
| Amount received from CropLife America and Oregonians for Food and Shelter | $12,000 |
| Political Party | Republican |
| Political Position | Fiscally conservative moderate |
| Stance on abortion | Pro-choice |
| Stance on immigration | Opposes sanctuary cities and Oregon's statewide sanctuary policy |
| Stance on gay rights | Supports, including same-sex marriage |
| Stance on conversion therapy | Opposes |
| Stance on Oregon's capital punishment law | Supports |
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What You'll Learn
Knute Buehler's stance on climate change
Knute Buehler, a former Republican, served as the Oregon State Representative for the 54th district from 2015 until 2019. He was the Republican nominee for Governor of Oregon in the 2018 election, losing to Democrat Kate Brown. Buehler has been criticized by the Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV) for his stance on climate change and his alleged ties to big polluters.
Buehler has acknowledged the reality of global warming and the need to take action. He has stated in television commercials that "global warming is real, and we have a responsibility to do something about it." However, his specific positions on climate change policies have been criticized by the OLCV and others.
Buehler has opposed certain climate change initiatives, such as Oregon's Clean Energy Jobs bill, also known as the "cap and invest" program. He has argued that this legislation would impose too much responsibility on the manufacturing sector, making it less competitive, and has expressed concerns about the transparency of the proposed energy schemes and the capabilities of the state to administer them effectively. Buehler has also criticized the bill as a "`honeypot` for special interests," referring to the projected $1.4 billion it would raise through allowance auctions.
In contrast to his opponent, Gov. Kate Brown, Buehler opposes a carbon cap and invest program but supports a "revenue-neutral" carbon tax. He has also voted against Oregon's Clean Fuels Program and a fracking moratorium, which has led to accusations that he is cozy with big polluters and opposes plans to transition away from fossil fuels. Buehler has denied these claims, asserting that he will protect the environment. However, his actions have earned him a failing "F" lifetime rating from the OLCV.
Overall, while Buehler acknowledges the reality of climate change, his stance on specific policies has been controversial and has drawn criticism from environmental advocates. His ties to big polluters and opposition to certain climate initiatives have raised concerns about his commitment to protecting the environment.
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Buehler's ties to big timber
Knute Buehler, a former Republican, has received substantial donations from several corporations and lobbying groups with interests in the timber industry. During his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, Buehler received at least $884,500 from various Oregon corporations and lobbying groups, many of which have been criticised for their stance on environmental issues.
One of Buehler's largest donations, totalling $350,000, came from James Young, the co-founder of Entek International, a Lebanon battery parts manufacturer. Entek itself donated $75,000 to Buehler's campaign. Young and Entek have also supported organisations funding Buehler's election efforts, such as Restoregon and Priority Oregon, which ran TV commercials critical of Gov. Kate Brown.
Buehler also received significant donations from companies directly involved in the timber industry. Roseburg Forest Products, a Southern Oregon timber company that has opposed Gov. Brown, donated $160,000 to Buehler's campaign. Additionally, he received $90,000 from Lone Rock Timber Management, a Roseburg company that attempted to buy and log the Elliott State Forest, a sale strongly opposed by environmental groups.
Hampton Timber and its owner, David Hampton, contributed $55,000 to Buehler's campaign. This company has advocated for reducing Oregon's endangered species protections for the marbled murrelet, a bird that nests in coastal old-growth forests.
These donations have raised concerns among environmental groups, who argue that Buehler's funding sources contradict his claims of being an environmental champion. Doug Moore, the Oregon League of Conservation Voters' executive director, expressed worry, stating, "It's clear these corporations see an ally in Buehler, and that should make Oregonians very worried."
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Buehler's votes against clean energy
Knute Buehler, a former Republican and the Oregon State Representative for the 54th district from 2015 to 2019, has been criticized for his stance on environmental issues. Buehler, who was the Republican nominee for Governor of Oregon in the 2018 election, has been accused of having a "cozy relationship with big polluters" and taking "big campaign checks from big polluters" by the Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV).
In their first digital ad, the OLCV highlighted two anti-environment votes by Buehler: his vote against Oregon's Clean Fuels Program and his vote against a fracking moratorium. The Clean Fuels Program has been credited with cutting over 1 million tons of carbon pollution. Despite claiming that he will protect the environment, Buehler has opposed plans to shift away from dirty fossil fuels and has even suggested cutting Oregon's Clean Fuels Program, which would reverse the progress made in reducing pollution.
Buehler's lifetime rating from the OLCV is an "F," indicating his failing grade on environmental issues. His stance on environmental protection and climate change is in contrast to that of Governor Kate Brown, who has been recognized for her leadership in protecting Oregon's air, water, climate, and land. Brown has actively promoted policies to transition Oregon to a cleaner energy future, such as the Clean Energy Jobs bill.
Buehler's acceptance of large campaign contributions from big polluters and his votes against clean energy initiatives, such as Oregon's Clean Fuels Program and a fracking moratorium, demonstrate his alignment with the interests of polluting industries rather than with the protection of the environment and public health. His votes against these initiatives have likely contributed to his low rating from the OLCV and raised concerns about his commitment to addressing climate change and reducing pollution in Oregon.
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Buehler's funding from big polluters
Knute Buehler, a former Republican, served as the Oregon State Representative for the 54th district from 2015 to 2019. He was the Republican nominee for Governor of Oregon in the 2018 election, losing to incumbent Democrat Kate Brown. Buehler has been accused of receiving substantial funding from "big polluters" and other anti-environment groups. These allegations have been a source of controversy during his gubernatorial campaign.
During his campaign for governor, Buehler claimed that he was not taking money from anti-environment groups and presented himself as an environmental champion. However, investigations by news organizations and environmental groups revealed that Buehler had received significant financial support from corporations and lobbying groups with a history of opposing or weakening environmental regulations.
According to reports, Buehler received more than $850,000 from various sources, with some estimates putting the total amount at over $1 million. Some of the notable contributions include $350,000 from James Young, co-founder of Entek International, a company that has opposed environmental regulations. Roseburg Forest Products, a Southern Oregon timber company, contributed $160,000. Lone Rock Timber Management, a company that has sought to log protected state forests, provided $90,000. Additionally, Hampton Timber and its owner, David Hampton, donated $55,000. These companies have been known for their anti-environment stances and efforts to weaken environmental protections in Oregon.
The Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV) and other environmental organizations have criticized Buehler for his ties to big polluters and his anti-environment record. OLCV gave Buehler an "'F' rating on their environmental scorecard", highlighting his opposition to cap-and-trade legislation and his votes against Oregon's Clean Fuels Program and a fracking moratorium. They argue that Buehler's claims of being environmentally friendly are misleading and that his policies would threaten Oregon's progress in reducing pollution and addressing climate change.
In summary, Knute Buehler's funding from big polluters has been a significant issue during his political career, particularly in his campaign for governor. While Buehler has denied taking anti-environment money, the substantial contributions he received from corporations and lobbying groups with anti-environment records have raised concerns among voters and environmental advocates in Oregon.
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Buehler's failing grade from the Oregon League of Conservation Voters
Knute Buehler, a former Republican, was the Oregon State Representative for the 54th district from 2015 until 2019. He was the Republican nominee for Governor of Oregon in the 2018 election, losing to incumbent Democrat Kate Brown. Buehler has received criticism for his stance on the environment, particularly from the Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV).
The OLCV has given Buehler a failing "F" lifetime rating due to his close ties with big polluters and anti-environment votes. Buehler has falsely claimed that he is not taking anti-environment money, but according to investigative reporter Rob Davis, he has received more than $850,000 from corporate polluters. Buehler has voted against Oregon's Clean Fuels Program, which has cut over 1 million tons of carbon pollution, and against a fracking moratorium. He opposes plans to shift away from dirty fossil fuels and would cut Oregon's Clean Fuels Program.
The OLCV launched a digital ad highlighting Buehler's threat to the environment, including his false claims and anti-environment votes. OLCV's executive director, Doug Moore, stated that the election for governor will have enormous consequences for Oregon's environment and that voters deserve to know about Buehler's disastrous record and cozy relationship with big polluters. In contrast, the OLCV endorsed Governor Kate Brown, calling her a true environmental champion.
Buehler's stance on climate change was questioned in the debates, and his differences with Brown on environmental issues were stark. Brown included protecting the environment in her campaign, highlighting her strong record and vision for the future. The OLCV also invested over $1 million in her re-election campaign, emphasizing the importance of Oregon's environmental legacy and future climate leadership.
Buehler's failing grade from the OLCV and the subsequent backlash highlight the concerns about his environmental stance and the potential impact on Oregon's future. The OLCV's efforts to bring attention to these issues underscore the significance of environmental protection and climate leadership in Oregon.
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Frequently asked questions
Knute Buehler took at least $850,000 from big polluters, with some sources claiming the figure to be over $1 million.
Knute Buehler is an American physician and politician. He was the Oregon State Representative for the 54th district from 2015 until January 2019 and was the Republican nominee for Governor of Oregon in the 2018 election.
Knute Buehler has been accused of having a "disastrous record and cozy relationship with big polluters". He has received an "'F' lifetime rating from the Oregon League of Conservation Voters" and has voted against Oregon's Clean Fuels Program and a fracking moratorium.
Knute Buehler received $350,000 from James Young, co-founder of Entek International, a Lebanon battery parts manufacturer. He also received $90,000 from Lone Rock Timber Management and $55,000 from Hampton Timber and its owner, David Hampton.
