Loggers, truckers and others gathered by the hundreds outside Oregon’s State Capitol in late June—with trucks rolling and hardhats and caulk boots worn as badges of solidarity—to protest and ultimately help defeat proposed state cap-and-trade legislation that they say would have drastically raised fuel prices and hampered operations in multiple natural resource industries.

'Timber Unity' Defeats Oregon Legislation
Photo courtesy Associated Oregon Loggers

Under a cap-and-trade program, the state puts an overall limit on emissions and auctions off pollution permits or “allowances” for each ton of carbon industries plan to emit. Only the largest polluters are targeted.

Opponents argued the pollution caps would raise energy prices, create a competitive disadvantage and cause companies to relocate, all while doing little to address climate change. A state analysis found lowering carbon emission caps would raise gasoline prices 22 cents a gallon by 2021 and $3 a gallon by 2050.

Collectively, the protest brought more than 2,000 trucks, tractors and other work vehicles to the state Capitol and circled it, horns honking and lights flashing while hundreds of supporters waved signs and showed solidarity. Speakers took to the podium to exhort the crowd.

A driving force behind the event was the “Timber Unity” Facebook page, founded by Oregon grass seed farmer Marie Bowers and log trucker Todd Stoffel, who has operations in Oregon and Washington. Acting as an information and organizing vehicle, Timber Unity’s Facebook page grew to more than 50,000 followers in barely more than a month and was a major force in putting “boots on the ground” at the Capitol to protest the legislation. As a testament to their success in defeating the legislation, Bowers and Stoffel found themselves guests at the White House in July.

After the issue gained national notoriety and proved so controversial in-state, late in the legislative session Democratic party officials announced the cap-and-trade proposal couldn’t gain enough votes from its own party.

Following Timber Unity’s success in Salem, rapid growth online and impact on rural and natural resource issues, a recent post on its Facebook page says the group is catching its breath, already engaging in new issues, and spending time expanding its reach and adding to its grassroots credibility.