The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality recently announced recipients of nearly $7.5 million in funding for projects designed to reduce diesel emissions across the state and among vulnerable populations. Under the Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grant Program, eight selected projects will help eliminate air contaminants affecting public health and climate by retrofitting or replacing older medium- and heavy-duty dieselContinue reading “Oregon DEQ announces 2022 Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grant recipients“
Author Archives: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Cleaner Air Oregon team celebrates significant milestone
The Cleaner Air Oregon team is celebrating a significant milestone as companies that were among the first to be subject to the program are wrapping up the risk assessment and permitting processes.
Although some new facilities have been granted permits under the program, this is the first time that those that were already established are hitting the CAO finish line.
DEQ staff greet and inform the public at two weekend events
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality staff and managers participated in two significant and successful public outreach events over the weekend of July 9-10: tabling at an Active Bethel Community event in Eugene and staffing a booth at The Big Float in Portland.
Enforcement at work: Owens-Brockway installs pollution controls at glass recycling plant
After DEQ issued the Owens-Brockway glass recycling plant a $1 million fine in June 2021 for air quality violations, the company signed an agreement in October 2021 resolving the enforcement action and giving Owens-Brockway two options: install pollution controls or shut down.
Oregon DEQ launches new Lab web page
Harris Beach State Park Beach Monitoring Program, Shane Bennett, 2021 Did you ever want to learn more about the part of DEQ collecting the data that produces the Air Quality Index or analyzing drinking water samples for Cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Blooms? Well, head on over to our new web page and meet the Laboratory andContinue reading “Oregon DEQ launches new Lab web page”
Harmful Algal Blooms
Summer is here and we’ve already experienced some hot days in Oregon, and people seeking out local lakes and rivers to play in. While enjoying all of Oregon’s beautiful waterways, it’s important to watch out for what are called cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms, or cyanoHABs for short. A mouthful to say, but don’t get aContinue reading “Harmful Algal Blooms”
Congratulations to the EPA Brownfield Grant recipients in Oregon
After going through an incredibly competitive grant process, eight of the nine Oregon applicants prevailed and will receive $4.4 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s brownfield grants and loans program. These grants will support these applicants in doing environmental assessments, sampling and cleanup of brownfields in their communities.
Community Smoke Response Plans
Prescribed burning and wildfire can send smoke into communities around Oregon, which may impact public health. So, the Department of Environmental Quality has been working with communities around Oregon to develop community smoke response plans. Lauren and Dylan talk with people from Smokewise Ashland, a local collaborative working group ground in Southern Oregon, which hasContinue reading “Community Smoke Response Plans”
2022 Earth Month Photo Contest Winners
Our photography contest features more than 50 images created by DEQ staff who work daily to protect Oregon’s air, land and water. The contest drew entries of stunning images from around the state —whether a shot from their travels or a selfie with a beloved creature or critter. Browse this gallery to see the judges’Continue reading “2022 Earth Month Photo Contest Winners”
DEQ submits comprehensive water quality report to EPA
Warm water continues to be the top source of pollution in Oregon’s rivers and streams, according to the latest and most detailed report produced by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. The 2022 Integrated Report on state water quality, as it is called, is now in the hands of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, whichContinue reading “DEQ submits comprehensive water quality report to EPA”