Earth Day 2022 has come and gone, but I still think about the iconic “Earth Rise” image. Because I am a geographer, I recognize the collective and sweeping focus and perspective on air, land and water all Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s employees share in our common mission. For me and my own niche, it is such a privilege to work alongside dedicated DEQ professionals, and through the variety of ways the Regional Solutions program compliments and extends our work.
Category Archives: Air quality
Your DEQ Online technology fee takes effect in July
Starting in July, a 4% technology fee will be charged on all financial transactions in Your DEQ Online, except agency-issued penalties. The fee, which was authorized by the 2021 Oregon Legislature, is necessary to pay for annual operation and maintenance costs of Your DEQ Online
Air Quality Awareness Week: How do I make my air quality data count?
It’s Air Quality Awareness Week and the DEQ Laboratory and Environmental Assessment Division (You may know us as “The Lab”) thought it a great time to address one of the most common questions we receive: What is the difference between air quality data collected by DEQ and that collected by people with low-cost sensors? As scientists, we might frame the question as so: How do I collect data of known quality?
Building an air quality prediction tool
Richard Deng, an Oregon high school student, felt the effects of wildfires on air quality, and then set out to make a tool to help his community.
Youth Innovation in Air Quality
It’s Air Quality Awareness Week and National Wildfire Awareness Month, so… we’ve got a really cool episode. We’re talking with Richard Deng, a freshman in high school, who after experiencing a series of smoky summers decided to dedicate his time to making an air quality prediction tool that has now won multiple science fair awards.
Burning questions about burning? We have answers
Among the most frequently asked questions to DEQ at this time of year are: Am I allowed to burn yard debris in my backyard? What about smoke from my neighbor’s open burning? Here are some answers, including links to valuable resources for anyone considering setting flame to branches, leaves or other residential debris.
Ep. 10 – Environmental Justice
To celebrate Earth Day/Week/Month, Lauren and Dylan are talking about environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion – not just in general, but how this conversation is evolving at DEQ specifically. They are joined by three DEQ staff integral to this work: Natalie Nava, DEQ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator Chamille Hartman, Northwest Region WaterContinue reading “Ep. 10 – Environmental Justice”
The three most important ways Oregon is fighting climate change
cent headlines warn that the window is quickly closing to protect our future and preserve a livable planet. In Oregon, we have seen the effects of the climate crisis first-hand: hundreds of deaths from extreme heat waves; thousands of homes destroyed by wildfire; lakes and rivers drying up before our eyes; farmers without water to grow food; and the toxic algal blooms that shut down the city of Salem’s drinking water system for weeks in 2018.
Will Lauren buy an electric vehicle?
As a follow up to our electric vehicle rebates episode, Lauren went out to test drive an EV and find out more about the buying experience. At the dealership, Lauren talks to their EV rep and asks the questions she (and hopefully, you) wants to know, like:
DEQ tackles questions about so few women in STEM fields
For anyone who works in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, all you have to do is look around to see there are very few women scientists, lab technicians, researchers, etc. In fact, according to The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Institute for Statistics, fewer than 30% of the world’s researchers are women.