Oregon
The End of Gas Pain? Oregon Launches Nation’s First Road-User Charge — Streetsblog USA
It has been a decade since Oregon launched OReGO, the nation’s first road-user charge pilot designed to test whether drivers could be taxed by miles driven rather than by fuel consumed. What began as a small voluntary program is now on track to become a statewide mandate for certain vehicles, marking a major shift in how Oregon plans to pay for its transportation system.
The timing reflects a growing fiscal challenge. Fuel tax revenues — long the backbone of state transportation budgets — continue to decline as vehicles become more efficient, as electric vehicle adoption accelerates, and as inflation erodes the purchasing power of gas tax revenues collected at the pump. State officials say a per-mile charge offers a more stable and predictable income stream as vehicle technology evolves.
But as the Beaver State moves from pilot to adoption, it remains unclear to what degree there is public acceptance of the concept and whether a user-pays system can work at scale.
Even with those uncertainties, the Oregon Department of Transportation’s innovative programs policy adviser Scott Boardman provided an update on where the rollout stands. Here are the main takeaways:
Adoption is set for July 1, 2027
Unlike the pilot, which relied on volunteer drivers, the road-user charge will apply automatically to electric vehicles already registered in Oregon. Newly registered EVs and hybrids will be added the following year.
A substantial amount of work remains before the launch. ODOT must integrate its systems with DMV, modernize the state’s fuel‑tax infrastructure, and complete data‑exchange protocols with private account managers. Officials note that a few “punch‑list” tasks may slip beyond the go‑live date, but the core systems are expected to be ready.
External contractors will continue managing enrollment, mileage reporting, billing, and customer service. ODOT says the model is far more developed than it was at the start of the pilot, with standardized reporting and improved data security.
The per-mile rate is just over two cents and tied to the fuel tax, at least for now
Under current statute, the per-mile rate is set at 5 percent of the state fuel-tax rate, or just over two cents per mile. The rate will adjust automatically if the fuel-tax rate changes. Over time, lawmakers may choose to decouple the two, allowing the per-mile charge to evolve independently.
A statewide referendum is expected in November on the broader transportation funding bill, but the road-user charge provisions are not part of the measure. Revenue from the per-mile charge is projected to begin flowing in 2029, with more substantial increases forecast between 2031 and 2035.
Privacy protections remain largely unchanged
Privacy concerns dominated early debates over OReGO, as opponents of the concept argued that a distance-based system could allow the state to track driver location. But the enabling legislation carries forward many of the pilot’s safeguards: The law requires destruction of driver data after billing and limits access to personally identifiable information to vehicle owners, financial institutions, account managers, and law enforcement under defined circumstances.
Drivers will still be able to decide how their mileage is reported — a feature meant to keep both data handling and billing arrangements under their control. After 10 years without a reported breach, ODOT hopes the program’s track record will help ease public concerns as the program becomes mandatory.
Charging out‑of‑state vehicles is still unresolved
Since 2013, Oregon has been part of a coalition of 18 western states called RUC America exploring whether a road‑usage charge could work within their own transportation systems. The consortium allows state DOTs to pool expertise, share research, and potentially jointly develop pilots and policy frameworks. The group has already backed a wide range of studies and demonstrations and continues to steer multi-state exploration of RUC approaches.
Discussions are underway among the consortium to explore potential reciprocity agreements, but officials say no consensus has emerged. The challenge involves both design and policy considerations, including how to verify mileage, how to reconcile differing state systems, and how to ensure that charges are applied consistently across jurisdictions.
ODOT views RUC America as a vehicle for addressing this issue after the program launches.
Public outreach is underway
According to ODOT, public understanding of transportation funding remains limited. Participation in the OReGO pilot was modest, and surveys found that many drivers had only a basic grasp of how fuel taxes work or why the state is considering a new approach.
To prepare drivers for the shift, the agency is rolling out a statewide outreach campaign. A communications consultant will oversee public‑relations work, and informational materials will be sent out ahead of registration renewals. ODOT also plans to partner with auto dealers so sales and finance staff can explain the new requirements for eligible vehicles.
These efforts, officials say, are meant to close the awareness gaps revealed during the pilot, build trust, and help drivers understand what the new system will mean for them.
More than a decade after OReGO’s launch, Oregon is preparing to take a major step toward replacing the gas tax with a per-mile charge. The pilot demonstrated that the technology works, that privacy protections can be enforced, and that drivers can navigate the enrollment and billing process. What remains to be seen is how the system performs at scale — and how the public responds once participation is no longer optional.
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The Olive Butte Fire is one of several blazes burning in Eastern Oregon, as of Sunday morning.
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. (KATU) — Additional firefighting resources are being sent to the fast-moving East Evans Creek Road fire in Jackson County as the blaze grows and threatens homes and nearby communities.
In a statement posted at 6:26 a.m. on July 11, the Oregon State Fire Marshal said it is mobilizing four structural task forces and its Blue Incident Management Team to support local response efforts. The fire sparked Friday and “quickly grew to over 1,500 acres,” the agency said.
By Saturday morning, the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District estimated the fire at approximately 2,000 acres. Firefighters are working on private and Bureau of Land Management lands about 26 miles north of Medford near the 18000 block of East Evans Creek Road.
The fire was reported Friday afternoon just after 2:40 p.m., according to ODF, when dispatch received a report of a car crash involving a power pole and a downed power line.
Firefighters arrived to find fire burning in nearby vegetation. ODF and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a further investigation into the incident.
Evacuation information
Evacuation orders remained in place as of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office morning update on Saturday. The sheriff’s office issued Level 3 “Go Now,” Level 2 “Be Set” and Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation notices for areas surrounding the fire.
Evacuation Level 3 Go Now: JAC-148A
Evacuation Level 2 Be Set: JAC-016, JAC-124, JAC-147, JAC-148B
Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready: JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-109, JAC-126, JAC-149B
The above zone names can be understood by visiting the following map through Genasys Protect at protect.genasys.com. The map lets users plug in their address to see what zones are under evacuation.
The state fire marshal urged people looking for further evacuation information to follow the local sheriff’s office or check the map at the following website with the latest evacuation information: Jacksoncountyor.gov.
An evacuation shelter for residents and domestic pets has been established at Hanby Middle School, 806 6th Avenue, Gold Hill.
Road closures and traffic blocks remained in effect. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said there is an additional roadblock at the 8 mile marker of Antioch Road.
Traffic remains blocked on East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road on the east side and West Fork Evans Creek Road on the west side. ODF also reported traffic is blocked on East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road, and said residents will be allowed through the closure when it is safe to do so. The public is asked to avoid the area to allow firefighters and heavy equipment to operate safely.
Livestock shelters
Livestock sheltering options are also available. Horses can be taken to the Jackson County Expo at 21 Peninger Road in Central Point, where expo staff and volunteers are prepared to receive horses. Owners are asked to bring feed, water containers and any necessary medications when possible. Josephine County Fairgrounds can take pigs, goats and smaller animals at 1451 Fairgrounds Road, Grants Pass, OR 97527. Anyone needing livestock sheltering assistance can call 541-776-7206.
Emergency Conflagration Act invoked
Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on Friday night for the East Evans Creek Road Fire in Jackson County, allowing the Oregon State Fire Marshal to mobilize additional resources through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System.
The Jackson County Fire Defense Board chief requested assistance with life, safety and structural fire protection, and the state fire marshal concurred with that request.
The agency said it is the first time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked in 2026.
Task forces from Lincoln, Linn, Marion and the south coast—Coos, Curry, Lane and Douglas counties—are being mobilized, according to the state fire marshal. Those resources will join a task force from Klamath County and a strike team from Douglas County that were mobilized Friday evening through Immediate Response to support local structural resources.
“This fire is a reminder how quickly things can change with the dry conditions we have across the state,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Chief Deputy Travis Medema said. “We have a long way to go this fire season, and I ask every Oregonian to do their part to prevent wildfires.”
ODF said warm, dry and breezy conditions were expected to continue across southwest Oregon Saturday, increasing the potential for active fire behavior and spotting.
More than 400 personnel were assigned to the incident Saturday, including 20-person hand crews, engines, dozers, water tenders, heavy equipment, aviation resources and structural task forces, according to ODF. Aviation resources include one Type 3 helicopter with Air Attack, three Type 2 helicopters and two Type 1 helicopters.
Firefighters worked through the night strengthening fire line, reinforcing wet line and mitigating hazardous snags, ODF said. Saturday’s objectives include reinforcing and strengthening existing fire line, extending hose lays along East Evans Creek Road and improving access for firefighters working throughout the incident. Crews are operating in steep terrain, across an old burn scar and around numerous hazard trees.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal Blue Incident Management Team is expected to be in unified command with the Oregon Department of Forestry Team 1, according to the state fire marshal. ODF said Incident Management Team 1 will assume command of the incident this evening, citing the fire’s size and complexity and the need to maintain initial attack capability across southwest Oregon.
Traffic is blocked on East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road, ODF said. Residents will be allowed through the closure when it is safe to do so, and the public is asked to avoid the area to allow firefighters and heavy equipment to operate safely.
ODF said updates on the East Evans Creek Fire will be provided each morning and evening on their Facebook page at ODF Southwest Oregon District, with additional updates shared throughout the day as significant information becomes available.
Sign up for emergency alerts from Jackson County at this link: Jacksoncountyor.gov.
Gert Zoutendijk, a public information officer for the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Blue Team, confirmed the fire was caused by a downed power line that came down because of a motor vehicle crash.
Zoutendijk said an Oregon Department of Forestry local unit engine was on scene “within 30 seconds,” rendered aid to passengers and noticed the fire started.
As of today, fire officials were estimating the blaze at around 2,000 acres, though Zoutendijk said that number could change because crews have not yet been able to get an infrared flight to confirm the perimeter. An infrared flight was planned for tonight, and the acreage estimate could go up or down once the fire line is mapped more accurately.
Firefighting resources include both wildland and structural protection teams. Zoutendijk said local fire departments and districts have been overwhelmed protecting structures, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal has sent a conflagration delegate. Zoutendijk said six different counties sent resources from five different fire agencies—equipment and firefighters—on the structural side. On the wildland side, Zoutendijk said resources include the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management and private resources.
He said the total number of firefighters on the fire, not including structural firefighters who arrived today, was reported at 750.
Evacuations were in place at multiple levels. Zoutendijk said a briefing mentioned that in Level 3 evacuation zones, approximately 100 people were evacuated or affected, including 73 structures. Zoutendijk noted those structures are not all homes and could include commercial buildings. In Level 2 zones, Zoutendijk said about 166 structures were affected, including about 300 people.
Zoutendijk said Gov. Kotek invoking the Conflagration Act allows the state to send additional resources when local fire jurisdictions are overwhelmed and cannot safely and adequately protect their communities.
He stated that local agencies requested resources from the state yesterday because conditions changed quickly. Two task forces arrived and began work, and additional resources were brought in today after the conflagration was enacted last night, including four task forces from four different counties. Those resources are intended to focus on protecting structures in and around threatened areas and to relieve local jurisdictions so they can return to day-to-day emergency response.
Zoutendijk urged Oregonians statewide to sign up for emergency alerts through local fire agencies, emergency management offices, counties or cities, saying the systems can send evacuation notices and other emergency messaging for large-scale incidents.
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