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”
Tag Archives: environment
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”
Updates to the AQI
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has made adjustments to the Air Quality Index, or AQI. So Dylan and Jennifer Horton discuss how to use the tool during wildfire smoke season in Oregon. And DEQ air monitoring expert Matt Shrensel goes deeper into what the changes to the AQI mean and why they were made.
Return of the EV Rebate
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 detailsContinue reading “Return of the EV Rebate”
More About Asbestos
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 andContinue reading “More About Asbestos”
DEQ revamps Supplemental Environmental Project policy
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.
GUEST POST: DEQ and Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District provide two programs for septic system repair in Clackamas County
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 overContinue reading “GUEST POST: DEQ and Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District provide two programs for septic system repair in Clackamas County”
All About Asbestos
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 HealthContinue reading “All About Asbestos”
A new future for old mattresses
Mattress are bulky and made up of layers of materials, including wood, steel and foam. This has made them a problem in landfills and a candidate for recycling. GreenState podcast co-hosts Dylan Darling and Katie Romano visit a mattress recycling facility in Eugene to learn how the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane CountyContinue reading “A new future for old mattresses”
Closing out the year with new rules
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s governing body, the Environmental Quality Commission, adopted six different sets of rules at their November meeting last Thursday and Friday. Why do rules matter? Rules determine how DEQ regulates. When the legislature passes laws, they’re often very general. The agency responsible for implementing the law has to write theContinue reading “Closing out the year with new rules”