Oregon DEQ announces recipients of $8 million in diesel emission mitigation grants  

As part of ongoing efforts to improve air quality, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality today announced recipients of $8.1 million in funding for projects designed to reduce diesel emissions across the state and among vulnerable populations. Under the Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grant Program, 12 projects will help eliminate air contaminants affecting public health and climate by retrofitting or replacing older medium- and heavy-duty diesel equipment with new, cleaner alternatives.

DEQ Thanks our Veterans and Active-Duty Military

As we commemorate Veterans Day, we appreciate how the many veterans and active-duty military working at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality are continuing the call to service in their current jobs. In fact, DEQ is proud to currently have 48 military service members on staff. We honor them for their sacrifices and thank them for always saying “yes” when called upon to support our country and Oregonians.

Governor Brown Highlights DEQ’s Efforts to Tackle Food Waste at COP26 Summit

Earlier this week, Oregon Governor Kate Brown shared the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s work on a global stage when she served as a panelist on a session titled “Partnerships to Reduce Wasted Food on the American West Coast” at COP26, the 2021 United Nations climate change conference.

Two Decades of Work Result in Meeting Water Quality Standards for Bacteria in the Lower Columbia Slough

ou might not know this, but keeping poop out of the water is a lot of work! The Department of Environmental Quality is responsible for keeping Oregon’s waters safe and healthy and restoring streams and lakes from sources of nonpoint source pollution, such as bacteria from human and animal waste. This is a long-term investment that takes a combination of resources, partnerships and time.

DEQ partnership will provide affordable loans for failing septic systems in Oregon

An affordable loan program is again available for homeowners and small businesses in Oregon to repair or replace failing septic systems. Fixing or replacing failing septic systems benefits Oregonians by protecting public health and addressing threats to water quality. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and regional nonprofit lender Craft3 are teaming up to makeContinue reading “DEQ partnership will provide affordable loans for failing septic systems in Oregon”

Episode 4 – Recycling Transformation in Oregon

DEQ’s most recent podcast is on the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act. Do you feel like you’re not sure what can actually be recycled? Where is all that recycling going? Is it just being thrown away? What about the people making all this packaging – shouldn’t they be contributing to the solution? DEQ hadContinue reading “Episode 4 – Recycling Transformation in Oregon”

Oregon awards Oregon Green Schools $10,000 grant

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has awarded Oregon Green Schools $10,000 to help the nonprofit transition from a fully volunteer organization to establishing a more formal structure, including a small, paid professional staff. This shift will strengthen and expand OGS’s activities with schools across the state. Photos: Students complete the Oregon Green Schools GreenContinue reading “Oregon awards Oregon Green Schools $10,000 grant”

DEQ staff spotlight on Lynda Viray, in honor of Filipino American History Month

Filipino Americans make up one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States with nearly 20,000 residing in the State of Oregon. Every October we celebrate Filipino heritage to increase awareness of the significant role Filipinos have played in American history. We had the opportunity to talk to Lynda Viray, someone who knows firstContinue reading “DEQ staff spotlight on Lynda Viray, in honor of Filipino American History Month”