A unified response of federal, state and local agencies are worked to track and cleanup a tar-like substance impacting shorelines and wildlife from Moclips, Washington, south to Waldport, Oregon, in late May and early June 2024. The source is not yet known.
The Unified Command concluded the operation on June 7.
Continue reading “Tar-like substance on Oregon and Washington beaches”
The recent Secretary of State audit of DEQ’s strategic planning process confirms what we already knew: we need more resources to address climate change and protect human health and the environment in Oregon..
Continue reading “DEQ needs more resources to do its work and address climate change, audit says “
Perrydale – DEQ and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are responding to the aftermath of a barn fire in Perrydale on May 2 that has caused red-colored water to flow through ditches in the Polk County community.
Continue reading “DEQ and EPA responding following barn fire in Perrydale”
DEQ’s Carol Thornberg is a true champion of the agency’s values, such as public service, employee growth, teamwork, and excellence. As the volunteer coordinator for the Employees’ Charitable Fund Drive, Carol’s contributions were instrumental in achieving our fundraising success. DEQ raised an impressive $27,780 for the Heart of Oregon, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and supporting youth in Central Oregon, making DEQ the top fundraiser in our agency size category.
Continue reading “DEQ’s own Carol Thornberg takes agency’s Charitable Fund Drive efforts to the top”
That’s right! The Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program has reopened for two months this year. Right now is the time for those living in Oregon to purchase or lease an eligible new or used battery electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or a new zero-emission motorcycle and get money back. However, there are important details you should know before you head out to your local dealership.
Read more: Return of the EV RebateSo, for this month’s episode of GreenState, DEQ’s Dylan Darling and Susan Mills met with the agency’s Oregon Clean Vehicle Program Coordinator Erica Timm to discuss all things electric vehicle rebates.
We asked Erica about the two rebates and how they differ. We inquired about when the program closing date is for this year and why (Spoiler, it’s June 3, 2024). We quizzed her on what the term “participating dealerships” means. But Erica has been working on DEQ’s rebate program for several years and knows it forwards and backwards. Tune in wherever you find your podcasts for the informative conversation.
Some regular listeners may remember we did two podcasts on the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program back in 2022 (Episode #8 and Episode #9). If you haven’t already, we encourage you to go listen to them. They provide a lot of the basic details on the rebates. Although, we also urge you to listen to this new episode. It has the latest updates, especially as they relate to the limited program opening this year – and we don’t want you to miss out on a fantastic rebate opportunity (while also reducing air emissions 😉).
Will you be getting money back on a new or used electric vehicle?
Continue reading “Return of the EV Rebate”
Handyman Bob was a radio personality in the Portland metro area for nearly 10 years. He’s now an accredited contractor who conducts asbestos surveys.
So DEQ’s Hillarie Sales and Dylan Darling had Bob Strong (that’s his real name) join them on the podcast to learn more about asbestos. Bob shared stories from the field and offered advice to renters, homeowners and prospective homebuyers who are thinking about remodeling or renovating an older home. Asbestos might be an issue, but it is manageable when you know what to do.
This episode complements Ep 27. All About Asbestos, when Hillarie and Dylan spoke with DEQ asbestos inspectors Akim Williams and David Russell.
Continue reading “More About Asbestos”
For years, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has offered pollution violators the option to pay for environmentally friendly projects to partially offset assessed fines. Now the department is working to ensure communities have a role in deciding what projects these fines will fund.
Continue reading “DEQ revamps Supplemental Environmental Project policy”
Oregon’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund mission is to provide technical assistance and below-market rate loans for planning, design and construction projects that improve water quality and environmental outcomes. This program, managed by DEQ, helps protect public health, restore natural areas and promotes economic development statewide. Since the program began in 1988, communities all over Oregon have benefited from more than $1 billion in water infrastructure investments. In a the most recent annual report, DEQ executed 11 new loans through the Fund, totaling $19,521,500 between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022.
Since 2018, the Fund has helped the Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District (CSWCD) expand their program and enabling critical septic system repair across Clackamas County. We asked our friend, Heather Nielsen, Conservation Investments Coordinator at CSWCD, to write about her experience working with DEQ and the Fund.
The CSWCD provides conservation services to people who live within Clackamas County. CSWCD works in cooperation with public and private land managers and owners as well as local community partners to conserve shared natural resources. Maintaining healthy streams and groundwater is a CWSCD priority which benefits the watershed and the public. Watershed protection in Clackamas County led CSWCD to provide two programs that help County residents who need to repair or replace part of their existing septic system: The Septic Repair Grant Program and the Residential Septic System Repair and Replacement Loan Program.
Continue reading “GUEST POST: DEQ and Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District provide two programs for septic system repair in Clackamas County”
The Pacific Coast Collaborative recently released its Vision and Action Plan to promote a regional low-carbon construction sector that promotes equity-centered policies, job creation, and regional markets. Through the PCC, Oregon, British Columbia, Washington, California, and the cities of Portland, Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles are working together to build the low carbon economy of the future.
Continue reading “Pacific Coast Leaders Release Strategy for Building More with Less Carbon”
Homeowners, potential homebuyers, and renters, if you plan on renovating or demolishing a home in Oregon you need to think about asbestos – a natural mineral that might be in your building materials.
DEQ’s Hillarie Sales and Dylan Darling help make asbestos regulations relatable by talking with two inspectors from DEQ, and an Oregon Health Authority toxicologist explains why asbestos is a health concern in the first place.
“If you are planning on doing any renovation work then the concerns, they’re there,” said DEQ Asbestos Inspector Akim Williams. “You have to have testing done. You have to an abatement contractor remove that material in a safe manner.”
There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos. This makes asbestos a serious health concern and subject to regulation by DEQ.
“The reason it’s a problem is because it’s a persistent mineral and because it is in the shape of a thin fiber,” said David Farrer, an Oregon Health Authority toxicologist. “In certain forms it can be like a very fine, invisible even, particle that you inhale. And because it is a long fiber and it doesn’t dissolve it gets stuck in your lungs and then your lungs can’t get rid of it.”
Continue reading “All About Asbestos”