Environment
University of Idaho researchers find correlation between pesticides and cancer
A correlation between agricultural pesticides and cancer in Western states has been found by University of Idaho and Northern Arizona University researchers. Two studies were conducted, one that examined correlating data in 11 Western states and one that took a closer look at data in Idaho specifically. The studies found a possible relationship between agricultural […]
Report on future of natural gas in Oregon draws criticism from watchdog group
A utility report on the future of natural gas in Oregon is drawing the ire of a customer watchdog group. Members of the Citizens Utility Board, which represents thousands of Oregon customers, said the report depicting future rate scenarios fails to meet Oregon’s climate goals or take customers fully into account. At issue is the […]
State lab detects fourth case of bird flu in backyard flock
State officials say that bird flu remains a threat in Oregon, especially to backyard flocks, with confirmation of a fourth infected flock this week. The state veterinary lab confirmed Wednesday that the virus had sickened a backyard flock in Linn County, the state Agriculture Department said in a release. That’s the second Linn County flock […]
At virtual town hall, Morrow County residents press Sen. Wyden over groundwater nitrate issues
At a virtual town hall Wednesday afternoon, Oregon’s senior U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden was pressed by several Morrow County residents about what he would do to help with the area’s groundwater nitrate pollution issues. A resident of Boardman told Wyden: “I’m going to keep it simple because it’s a hot topic in town, and out […]
Portland International Airport gets $18 million for energy efficiency project
The federal government has earmarked $18.4 million to Portland International Airport for a project to remove old boilers and replace them with an electric heating and cooling pump system. Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer announced the investment Thursday. They are Democrats. The money comes from federal funds […]
Legislative work group focuses on industrial chicken operations
State lawmakers, environmentalists and supporters and opponents of industrial chicken farms will meet this summer to consider whether Oregon’s laws to protect residents, wildlife, groundwater and waterways from any harm from large-scale poultry operations. The work group holds its first meeting on Thursday and will hold four other sessions through Sept. 20. Each will be […]
New state fire risks map leaves property owners with insurance concerns; some cities challenge data
Juliet Grable and her husband bought their house near Ashland in 2014. The property is surrounded by trees, and the two were familiar with southern Oregon’s dry summers, so they were aware that they’d be subject to wildfire risks. “Anyone who’s lived here for any amount of time and is paying attention knows,” she said. […]
New land conservation director sees the ‘big picture’
When not working, Brenda Ortigoza Bateman enjoys playing the piano and singing folk songs, hymns and ballads. She also plays piano at her church, the Salem First United Methodist Church. Her ability to weave musical threads together in harmony and collaborate with others will serve her well in her new job. In May, Bateman became […]
Northeast Oregon farms, food industries to buy water filters for those with contaminated wells
In response to the groundwater nitrate emergency in Morrow County, a coalition of food processors, an industrial dairy and an energy company working out of the Port of Morrow will pay for water filters for hundreds of people with contaminated wells. The Boardman Chamber of Commerce released a statement Friday saying Beef Northwest, Boardman Foods, […]
Supreme Court ruling limiting EPA authority will not impact Oregon climate targets, laws
A Thursday ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court limiting the authority of the federal Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants will have little impact in Oregon, according to the state’s environmental director. “Today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court limiting EPA’s authority to regulate emissions from power plants does not […]
U.S. Supreme Court curbs federal power to regulate greenhouse gases, in blow to Biden
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday the Environmental Protection Agency lacks authority to broadly regulate greenhouse gases as pollutants, siding with a group of Republican attorneys general and coal companies in a major blow to the executive branch’s power to curb climate change. The opinion was a victory for the Republican-led states that undertook the […]
As wells run dry, Oregon residents depend on a state program that trucks in water
Rhonda Nyseth’s well dried up on Sept. 15, 2021, nine months after she bought her house in Klamath Falls. “When it happened, I won’t lie, I started crying immediately,” Nyseth said. She was familiar with the situation. She’s a social services emergency liaison for the Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Resilience and Emergency […]