Author Archives: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

Climate Protection Program back in action in Oregon

Oregon has reinstated its Climate Protection Program. The Environmental Quality Commission adopted the Climate Protection Program in November 2024. So, DEQ Climate Protection Manager Nicole Singh joined the GreenState podcast to explain how the program aims to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon over the next 25 years. “It’s an ambitious program,” Singh saidContinue reading “Climate Protection Program back in action in Oregon”

State agencies celebrate 100,000 registered electric vehicles in Oregon

This past summer, Oregon got a big boost in its efforts to achieve a greener future when the state surpassed 100,000 registered electric vehicles. Oregon DEQ celebrated the major milestone with the Oregon Departments of Transportation and Energy and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry at a media event on Nov. 18. Directors fromContinue reading “State agencies celebrate 100,000 registered electric vehicles in Oregon”

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”