Environment
Oregon has most miles of polluted or ‘impaired’ waterways nationwide, new analysis says
Oregon has more than 120,000 miles of polluted or “impaired” rivers and streams – the most nationwide, according to a new analysis. The report, released last week by the Environmental Integrity Project, a nonprofit headquartered in Washington D.C, said that 80% of those waterways threaten aquatic life, making Oregon the worst nationwide in that category. […]
State takes next steps on plan to protect threatened species in western forests
A plan to protect critical animal habitat in nearly 640,000 acres of western Oregon state forests is moving towards its final stages. An environmental impact review of the Western Forests Habitat Conservation Plan was released March 18, and Oregonians have 60 days to submit their thoughts and concerns to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration […]
Oregon issues bird flu alert to chicken owners and farmers
A highly infectious and deadly strain of bird flu has been detected in a bald eagle in British Columbia, posing a potential threat to hundreds and perhaps thousands of backyard flocks across Oregon as well as large commercial operations with millions of birds. The strain is the same one that caused an outbreak in late […]
After decades of serving as a dump, Columbia River island designated Superfund site
For 40 years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers illegally dumped trash as well as electrical equipment and other debris onto Bradford Island and into the Columbia River near Bonneville Dam, causing toxic chemicals to leach into the water and into fish. Now, the federal Environmental Protection Agency will need to clean up after the […]
Bentz presses agencies to act on wildfire commission – after voting against legislation
U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Oregon, joined in a recent call for federal agencies to activate a Congressionally mandated committee to address wildfires, saying the Biden administration was tardy. Bentz and 10 other U.S. representatives said in a March 8 letter they wanted an explanation for why no appointments had been made yet to the Wildland […]
Conservationists hail $5 million investment in preserving Oregon’s farmland
Oregon was among the first states to develop land use laws but that’s not stopped the conversion of farmland into hundreds of thousands acres of housing and industrial sites over a decade. But an investment just approved by the Legislature could stem that trend by putting money into the pockets of farmers and ranchers to […]
After two-year review, Oregon’s climate change strategy must be more aggressive, committee says
More than 50 organizations on a committee focused on Oregon’s climate change policies released a report Thursday calling on state leaders to take more aggressive action. The Oregon Climate Action Plan Steering Committee is made up of environmental, labor, public health and youth and community groups such as Renew Oregon, the Oregon Public Health Association […]
Carbon credits bought by gas companies will pay for new electric vehicles, charging stations
A rural northeast Oregon gas station, several community colleges and the Portland NAACP are among 10 grantees to receive money for electric vehicle charging stations from Pacific Power. The electric utility company awarded $800,000 in grants to boost electric vehicle use and infrastructure in the state, using earnings from its sale of carbon credits. Through […]
State Energy Department to offer $12 million in grants for community solar, wind projects
Ideas for community projects to boost renewable energy access could soon have up to $1 million each from the Oregon Department of Energy. The agency announced they’ll release $12 million in grants for projects such as adding more electric vehicle charging stations in rural parts of the state and adding solar panels to public buildings. […]
Largest solar energy facility in Oregon gets final approval after legal battles
The largest solar energy facility planned in Oregon got its final greenlight for construction last week. The approval follows years of legal battles mounted by area farmers and ranchers. The Obsidian Solar Center is a project of Lake Oswego-based Obsidian Renewables LLC. It will be the largest solar facility in the Pacific Northwest and one […]
Federal agencies must press ahead with climate-saving choices for mature forests
Oregon has had to contend with some serious climate impacts in recent years, from life threatening heat waves to ice storms that left thousands without power for days. Persistent drought, wildfires, and changing precipitation patterns have also placed our most vulnerable communities at risk. Given how dire the situation is becoming, it is critical that […]
STATUS CHECK: Where key legislative bills are on week 5
The five-week session of the Oregon Legislature kicked off with lawmakers filing more than 200 bills. Those have been whittled down by House and Senate committees. Bills that didn’t pass out of committee by the end of the day on Feb. 14 died. Those that require the use of state funds must be considered by […]