Oregon’s Climate Protection Program: Cutting Emissions by 90% by 2050

The Climate Protection Program will reduce climate pollution from fossil fuels by 90% by 2050. The Environmental Quality Commission, the governing body for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, unanimously adopted the Climate Protection Program at its meeting on Nov. 21, 2024. The program sets enforceable and declining limits, or caps, on greenhouse gas emissionsContinue reading “Oregon’s Climate Protection Program: Cutting Emissions by 90% by 2050”

Servant leadership: from the military to DEQ 

As Veterans Day approaches, I ordinarily take this time to reflect on my military service, its influence on my life journey and where I am today. This will be my second Veterans Day since separating from the Air Force and my first Veterans Day at DEQ. Although I often measure periods of my life byContinue reading “Servant leadership: from the military to DEQ “

Oregon’s CAAP initiative, a new approach to community air monitoring

Community Air Action Planning, or CAAP, is a new pilot program led by DEQ’s Air Quality Division. This pilot program takes a place-based approach to improving communities’ air quality knowledge and capacity for collective action. DEQ worked with a steering committee of advocates, community-based organizations, and state and local government representatives to design the program’s framework.

J.H. Baxter contaminated soil cleanup in Eugene reaches milestone

EUGENE – Oregon DEQ Director Leah Feldon on Tuesday joined Casey Sixkiller – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Administrator – to celebrate milestones for the J.H. Baxter cleanup in west Eugene. Earlier this month, the EPA proposed the addition of J.H. Baxter to the Superfund National Priorities List. This past June, DEQ finished theContinue reading “J.H. Baxter contaminated soil cleanup in Eugene reaches milestone”

Oregon’s efforts to address climate change get nearly $200M boost in federal funds

Funds will advance Oregon’s efforts to meet climate goals On July 22, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the State of Oregon will receive $197 million from the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Director Leah Feldon said, “This is an immense honor and demonstration of trust from EPAContinue reading “Oregon’s efforts to address climate change get nearly $200M boost in federal funds”

Oregon DEQ and Oregon State University request your participation in residential wood heating survey

There are opportunities to win an Amazon gift card once it’s completed The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Air Quality Division and the Center for Marketing and Consumer Insights at Oregon State University are asking for your help in better understanding how home heating emissions affect air quality. They have opened the 2024 Residential WoodContinue reading “Oregon DEQ and Oregon State University request your participation in residential wood heating survey”

Photos: DEQ staff capture images of the spectacular Northern Lights

It’s a phenomenon that features amazing colored light displays that reminds us the world is beautiful and full of wonder. The Northern Lights, officially known in the Northern hemisphere as Aurora Borealis, are produced by millions of explosions of magnetic energy. In May 2024, the lights danced around the Pacific Northwest skies in dazzling hues.Continue reading “Photos: DEQ staff capture images of the spectacular Northern Lights”