On May 9, DEQ Director Leah Feldon, celebrated Public Service Recognition Week nominees during the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission meeting in Bend, Oregon. This year, DEQ selected three Public Service Ambassadors: Amanda Ingmire, Kara Master and Erica Timm out of a total of eight nominees.
Continue reading “Meet Oregon DEQ’s Public Service Champions”
Last week we celebrated National Air Quality Awareness Week. Today, the air in Oregon is “good,” according to the air quality index. That wasn’t always the case. Even outside of wildfire season, there have been times throughout Oregon’s history when the air was hazardous to breathe. In fact, in 1980, only 30% of Oregonians lived in clean air areas that met national health standards for air pollution. Today, all areas in Oregon meet these standards. Understanding this historical context is crucial to appreciating the progress we’ve made.
Protecting and monitoring the quality of Oregon’s air is one of DEQ’s priorities. There are more than 60 monitoring stations around the state that collect information about the quality of the air in Oregon. The Air Quality Index, or AQI, is a color-coded tool for communicating about outdoor air quality based on the information collected at these monitoring stations. The index considers five main pollutants: particle pollution, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide and offers a health-based risk-assessment on a scale of 0-500.
DEQ uses AQI readings when working with other agencies to determine if we should issue an air quality advisory. This advisory warns people when the air is so bad they need to take precautions to protect themselves. Many homes, schools and businesses use the AQI to understand what the air quality will be so they can decide for themselves on participation in sports or other outdoor activities that day. This information may be particularly important for individuals who are sensitive to poor air quality, such as people with asthma, emphysema, lung disease or other respiratory illnesses.
As wildfire season approaches, getting in the habit of checking the AQI becomes increasingly important. Fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke can quickly change the quality of the air, shifting it from good to hazardous, based on the size and location of fires and prevailing wind conditions. You can check the AQI in Oregon and stay informed about your local air quality by visiting the OregonAQI website or by searching for the free OregonAir app in your smartphone app store.
By Chris Varley, public affairs specialist
Today, as we celebrate Earth Day, I encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the beauty of our planet in all its diverse, interconnected and natural wonder – we really do live in a remarkable place.
I hope you will connect with nature today, whether that means taking a walk in a park, spending time in your garden, or engaging in any other outdoor activities. I find moments like these incredibly grounding and calming.
At DEQ, we are all stewards of the environment. We each have a role in protecting Oregon’s natural resources and ensuring healthy air, water, and land for future generations. Our actions, whether big or small, truly matter. Whether it’s our work to reduce air emissions, restore pollutant-impaired waters, or address past contamination or promoting sustainable practices, we collectively contribute to a healthier environment that benefits everyone.
Our planet, DEQ and people in Oregon have all shown remarkable resilience in the face of increasingly complex environmental challenges. Let this day inspire us to take even greater steps, both personally and professionally, to advocate for a healthier environment for everyone.
Thank you for all the hard work you do every day to make our planet a better place. Thank you for being stewards of the environment.
DEQ Director, Leah Feldon
New events added April 4, 2024, 4:15 p.m.
For the fourth year in a row, Oregon leads the way nationally throughout Food Waste Prevention Week, April 7-13, 2025. This annual campaign brings together communities, businesses, schools, and individuals to tackle food waste through education, action, and celebration.
Continue reading “Oregon Celebrates Food Waste Prevention Week 2025 with events and community partnerships “
The newly adopted Reducing Food Impacts: A Strategic Plan for Oregon (2025) establishes an updated vision for Oregon’s Materials Management Program. The plan emphasizes a whole-systems, equity-centered approach to food.
This plan outlines the three key priority areas for DEQ’s future work in food systems: Sustainable Food Production, Sustainable Food Consumption and Sustainable Food Waste Management.
Photo: DEQ’s Material Management Program Food Systems Team
Webinar April 30: Learn more about Reducing Food Impacts: A Strategic Plan for Oregon and how the Food Action Plan will translate the vision into action. Register here to attend on April 30 at 11 a.m.–12 p.m. (PTD).
Questions, suggestions or ideas? Reach out to DEQ’s Food Team at SustainableFoodSystems@deq.oregon.gov. To get regular updates, please subscribe to our newsletter.
The City of Estacada received a WATERS award Tuesday from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in recognition of its innovative and effective use of its Oregon Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is loaning the city $5.5 million through this low-interest loan program to replace its 1963 wastewater treatment plant.
Continue reading “Estacada clean water infrastructure project wins EPA award for innovation, backed by DEQ funding”
Warm water from wastewater treatment plants can cause pollution problems downstream. Enter water quality trading, an innovative approach to improving water quality by restoring streambank vegetation around Oregon.
Brian Creutzburg, an alternative compliance specialist at DEQ, joins Dylan Darling for the first of two episodes about water quality trading. You’ll hear some of Brian’s appearance on the Clean Water Pod, “Water Quality Trading in Oregon’s Tualatin River.” Find the Clean Water Pod, which also features Jamie Hughes of Clean Water Services, wherever you get your podcasts.
Ep 32. Water Quality Trading Part 1 – Innovative Approaches
Posted: March 14, 2025
Guest: Brian Creutzburg
Cohosts: Dylan Darling
Listen to the podcast on: SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
SHOW NOTES
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Yulia Shipulina has joined the Department of Environmental Quality as a temporary fellow, in partnership with Oregon Sea Grant, to further develop our pollution prevention, or P2, projects in DEQ’s Land Quality Division.
The P2 projects she’ll work on are funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and managed by Lisa Cox, our Senior Toxics Reduction Analyst.
DEQ’s P2 initiatives include:
With experience in marketing, graphic design, and event coordination, Yulia is eager to help businesses become more sustainable and promote pollution prevention by working with schools to cut toxic chemicals in labs, writing newsletters, updating our website, and supporting interns. When she’s not working, she’ll likely be dancing and learning about different cultures.
She’s excited to have the opportunity to gain vital career experience while helping to protect human health and the environment. And we’re thrilled to have her on board.
Learn more about pollution prevention and DEQ’s Toxic Reduction and Safer Alternatives work here.
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 said on the podcast. “It’s about reducing climate pollution.”
The Climate Protection Program will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon by 50% by 2035 and 90% by 2050. The first compliance period starts Jan. 1, 2025 and covers emissions through the end of 2027.
Ep 31. CPP reloaded
Posted: Jan. 31, 2025
Guest: Nicole Singh
Cohosts: Dylan Darling, Whitney Dorer
DEQ Director Leah Feldon told the EQC, the governing body for the agency, that the Climate Change Program is another example of Oregon’s environmental leadership.
“Our state has a relatively long history, as many of you, taking seriously our obligations to address Oregon’s contributions to climate change,” she said. “And helping our communities adapt and respond.”
Whitney Dorer, climate policy community engagement coordinator in DEQ’s Office of Greenhouse Gas Programs, cohosts the episode with Dylan Darling, a DEQ public affairs specialist and regular GreenState host.
Listen to the podcast on: SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
SHOW NOTES
Hear more about DEQ’s programs taking on climate change in Ep 25. Waste Not, Want Not and Ep 29. Return of the EV Rebate.
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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 from each agency and the president and CEO of OMSI spoke about the state’s progress to electrify transportation and reduce air pollution from transportation, which accounts for about 35% of the state’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Other event attendees included State Senator Janeen Sollman, a representative from Sen. Aaron L. Woods’ office and members of Portland electrification nonprofit Forth.
Continue reading “State agencies celebrate 100,000 registered electric vehicles in Oregon”