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Oregon environmental commission rules out air pollution regulations for large dairies
Dairies with hundreds of cows won’t face regulations for air pollution for now, the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission decided. The five governor-appointed commissioners made the ruling Wednesday in response to an August petition filed by two-dozen environmental, animal welfare and social justice groups that asked the state to regulate harmful emissions from dairies with 700 […]
Stephenson claims victory as Oregon’s labor commissioner
Employment attorney Christina Stephenson held a more than 20-point lead over her competitor in the race to lead the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, leading her campaign to declare victory Tuesday night. Though final results could be days away, by Wednesday morning, polls continued to show Stephenson, who had a huge fundraising advantage, leading […]
Nearly 90% of West depends on national forests, grasslands for drinking water
Western states and cities are more reliant on drinking water from U.S. Forest Service lands than previously known. A first-of-its-kind study by the Forest Service reveals how some of the largest public water systems in the country rely on surface waters from the federal agency’s land. The agency plans to use the new data to […]
Stephenson in the lead for labor commissioner in early results
Employment attorney Christina Stephenson was in the lead for labor commissioner in early results announced Tuesday evening. Stephenson had 60% of the vote according to results released by the Secretary of State’s office by 11:30 p.m. Her opponent, restaurant owner and former Bend Republican House Rep. Cheri Helt, had 39% of the vote. It could […]
Live coverage: Oregon 2022 general election
Oregon voters will decide Tuesday who wins key races that could change the balance of power in the state and nationally. They will pick a new governor, decide who will be in Oregon’s congressional delegation and cast ballots on several ballot measures, including two that would alter the state’s constitution. Some results may not […]
NW Natural scraps plans for blended hydrogen and natural gas project in Eugene
Oregon’s first green hydrogen production project has been shelved after public pushback over potential environmental and health impacts. NW Natural, the state’s largest natural gas provider, had proposed to the Oregon Public Utilities Commission in August a plan to create green hydrogen to blend into its natural gas. The company would have pumped the blended […]
14 Oregon UPS facilities fined for hazardous waste violations as part of nationwide settlement with EPA
More than a dozen UPS distribution and transportation centers in Oregon have been fined by the Environmental Protection Agency for violating federal hazardous waste reporting and disposal rules. The fines, for $4,589 each or just over $64,000 collectively, are part of a nationwide settlement that the global delivery company reached with EPA. In total, United […]
4 statewide measures on ballot, with 2 that would change state Constitution
In November, Oregonians will vote on four measures affecting health care, criminal sentencing, gun safety and the ability of state lawmakers to stall legislation. Two of the ballot measures would change the state’s Constitution, adding an amendment to make access to affordable health care a fundamental right and eliminating slavery and indentured servitude as acceptable […]
Oregonians favor environmental protection, candidates who will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, survey finds
Most Oregonians would prioritize protecting the environment to spur economic growth, rather than rolling back environmental regulations on companies, according to a new survey. Most also said they would vote for candidates in the November general election who are committed to reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. About 1,500 adults participated between Sept. 13 to […]
Oregon natural gas providers raising residential rates up as much as 25% this fall
Oregonians relying on natural gas for home heating and cooking will be paying significantly more this winter. On Nov. 1, NW Natural, the state’s largest natural gas utility, will raise residential rates about 14%, and then another 11% in March, affecting about 600,000 people. Avista will increase gas rates for its 105,000 residential customers by […]
Race to represent Oregon’s new congressional district among state’s tightest, most heated
The race to represent Oregon’s newest congressional district has become one of the closest and most embittered in the state. Democrat Andrea Salinas and Republican Mike Erickson are running to represent Oregon’s 6th Congressional District while embroiled in a legal fight over a campaign commercial that could upend the results of the election. Erickson is […]
‘Nation’s report card’ shows Oregon students falling behind in reading and math
Oregon’s fourth- and eighth-graders are falling behind in math and reading, according to the latest results of the National Assessment for Educational Progress. Often referred to as the nation’s report card, the latest assessment released Monday, which tested fourth- and eighth-graders, confirmed what the Oregon Department of Education’s own assessments showed in September: that students […]