People often ask DEQ: how do you ensure facilities follow environmental laws? There are a lot of answers, but key parts are complaints, inspections and enforcement. This is the first of a two-part series that dives into the complaints and inspections process. Lauren talks with the manager of the complaints system, a complaints inspector andContinue reading “Complaints and Inspections”
Category Archives: GreenState Podcast
Get to know your H2O
Of the many things important to people in Oregon, a major one is water. DEQ plays a major role in protecting water quality of lakes, rivers and streams to ensure they can support aquatic plants and animals. Lauren and Dylan talk to DEQ’s Water Quality Administrator about the state of Oregon’s water as well asContinue reading “Get to know your H2O”
Harmful Algal Blooms
Summer is here and we’ve already experienced some hot days in Oregon, and people seeking out local lakes and rivers to play in. While enjoying all of Oregon’s beautiful waterways, it’s important to watch out for what are called cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms, or cyanoHABs for short. A mouthful to say, but don’t get aContinue reading “Harmful Algal Blooms”
Community Smoke Response Plans
Prescribed burning and wildfire can send smoke into communities around Oregon, which may impact public health. So, the Department of Environmental Quality has been working with communities around Oregon to develop community smoke response plans. Lauren and Dylan talk with people from Smokewise Ashland, a local collaborative working group ground in Southern Oregon, which hasContinue reading “Community Smoke Response Plans”
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.
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”
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:
Episode 8 – It’s Electric! (vehicles)
“Really the bottom line is we want to make sure that low and moderate income households and communities of color all have an opportunity to take advantage of getting a cleaner car for their household or organization.” Rachael Sakata, oregon department of environmenal quality Electric vehicles are everywhere! And it’s no wonder, there are nowContinue reading “Episode 8 – It’s Electric! (vehicles)”
Episode 7 – Oregon’s Climate Protection Program
As of Jan. 1, 2022, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a new Climate Protection Program! The goals of the program are: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels by 50% by 2035 and 90% by 2050 to contain costs to enhance public welfare for Oregon communities, particularly environmental justice communities, including, communitiesContinue reading “Episode 7 – Oregon’s Climate Protection Program”
Episode 6 – In case of emergency…
What happens when oil and hazardous materials spill into the environment? DEQ springs into action to ensure it doesn’t impact public health or the environment. DEQ receives 1,500 reports of oil spills per year. Most of these incidents are small, but about 150 per year require a more in-depth response.