The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s governing body, the Environmental Quality Commission, adopted six different sets of rules at their November meeting last Thursday and Friday. Why do rules matter? Rules determine how DEQ regulates. When the legislature passes laws, they’re often very general. The agency responsible for implementing the law has to write theContinue reading “Closing out the year with new rules”
Author Archives: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Waste Not, Want Not: Food Planning and Shopping Tips for the Holidays
Food waste can cause a sour taste after the fun of holiday feasting. So, GreenState podcast co-hosts Dylan Darling and Katie Romano catch up with two DEQ food waste prevention experts to learn how to better plan and shop ahead of holiday meals. The advice is good year round and taking on food waste isContinue reading “Waste Not, Want Not: Food Planning and Shopping Tips for the Holidays”
Buildings shape our world, reflections on Sustainable Building Week in Portland
Sustainable Building Week in Portland, Oct. 9-13 provided DEQ’s Built Environment program staff with an opportunity to hear from and talk to Portland’s sustainable building community about how to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Buildings account for approximately 28 percent of Oregon’s consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions, 8 percent due to theContinue reading “Buildings shape our world, reflections on Sustainable Building Week in Portland”
Staff spotlight on Matt Davis
Matt and his family at Joshua Tree National Park For October, DEQ turns the spotlight on Matt Davis. Matt joined the agency in 2017 and served in several positions, including managing air quality teams in Headquarters and Northwest Region, and spending several years representing DEQ at the Oregon Legislature as a Senior Legislative and PolicyContinue reading “Staff spotlight on Matt Davis “
DEQ receives Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award with Pollution Prevention Resource Center
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is honored to win the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2023 Safer Choice Partner of the Year award with the Pollution Prevention Resource Center for leadership in advancing safer chemicals and the EPA Safer Choice program.
DEQ welcomes Mark Webb to the Environmental Quality Commission
A new voice to advance DEQ’s mission to protect, maintain and restore Oregon’s environment The Oregon Senate confirmed Sept. 29 Governor Tina Kotek’s appointment of Eastern Oregon nonprofit director Mark Webb to the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission. EQC Chair, Kathleen George said, “I am honored to welcome Mark and confident he’s a solid addition to ourContinue reading “DEQ welcomes Mark Webb to the Environmental Quality Commission”
Director Leah Feldon joins the GreenState DEQ podcast for a conversation
Leah Feldon has a long history with DEQ – nearly two decades – starting in the Office of Compliance and Enforcement and later serving as deputy director. The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission, which oversees DEQ, selected Feldon as the agency’s new director in February. Director Feldon had a conversation with outgoing Communications manager Harry EsteveContinue reading “Director Leah Feldon joins the GreenState DEQ podcast for a conversation”
Frequently Asked Questions: Kmart Fire and Asbestos
Updated: July 27, 5 p.m. Back to main Kmart Fire Asbestos Response page. What happened? Debris and ash from a large fire on July 19 in Portland’s Parkrose neighborhood blew into the surrounding neighborhood. One out of nine samples of debris collected by the City of Portland at Luuwit View Park contained asbestos, raising concernContinue reading “Frequently Asked Questions: Kmart Fire and Asbestos”
Kmart Fire Asbestos Response – NE Portland
Updates on NE Portland Kmart fire response.
Sounds of water: DEQ hydrologists teach at outdoor school in Eastern Oregon
For more than 20 years a pair of DEQ hydrologists have been sharing their knowledge of surface water and groundwater with outdoor school students in Eastern Oregon. Laura Gleim, DEQ’s Eastern Region public affairs specialist, visited an outdoor school near Pendleton to learn along with the kids. She brought along a field recorder and aContinue reading “Sounds of water: DEQ hydrologists teach at outdoor school in Eastern Oregon”