40 Years of Achievement
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From the inception of the modern environmental movement, the Oregon Environmental Council staff and volunteers have worked across the state to advocate on behalf of all Oregonians. Our notable results have made Oregon a healthier, cleaner place for all of us, and for the generations to come. Below are some of our key achievements.
2008
Expanded Eco-Healthy Childcare program nationally.
Released landmark Pollution in People report – revealing the unwelcome presence of toxic chemicals in Oregonians – followed by Price of Pollution report, the state’s first-ever economic assessment of the true costs of environmentally triggered disease in Oregon.
2007
Launched Carbon Neutral Initiative for Oregon wineries with Governor Kulongoski and the Oregon Wine Board to promote viable business models for Oregon companies to go carbon neutral.
Helped pass Measure 49, a partial fix to Measure 39’s rollback of statewide land use planning.
Spearheaded passage of the Climate Change Integration Act establishing goals to reduce Oregon's share of greenhouse gas emissions 75% below 1990 levels, setting the stage for Oregon to pursue responsible, concrete actions to curb global warming pollution.
Supported creation of Oregon Environmental Justice Task Force, which will advise state agencies on how to protect all communities from pollution, enact laws equitably and involve traditionally under-represented communities in reviewing agency actions.
Helped pass Oregon’s Renewable Fuel Standard, which requires biofuels to be blended into the petroleum sold in our state once sustainable, local production occurs, and the Renewable Energy Standard, which requires the state’s three largest utilities to meet 25% of their customers’ power needs with renewable energy by 2025.
Helped protect the health of Oregon’s kids by helping establish a $10.15 million fund to reduce toxic exhaust from diesel engines in school buses, big rigs and construction equipment. Taking aim at one of greatest health risks to Oregonians, this new clean diesel initiative will significantly reduce diesel pollution and with it a major cause of childhood asthma, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
2006
Secured adoption of clean car standards (stricter tailpipe standards for new cars that reduce dependence on oil, protect human health, and curb global warming).
Won national EPA Children’s Environmental Health Excellence Award for our Eco-Healthy Childcare and Tiny Footprints programs that help parents and caregivers reduce children’s exposure to toxic chemicals.
Launched Drive Green, Save Green to educate more than 15,000 drivers parking at City Center Parking facilities about ways to reduce the environmental impact of their cars.
2005
Passed legislation banning toxic flame retardants that contaminate women’s breast milk.
2003
Passed tax incentive for Pay as You Drive (per-mile) car insurance. First of its kind legislation, which could eventually reduce greenhouse gas emissions from driving by 10-15%.
Secured Environmental Quality Commission adoption of new rules to begin reducing toxic air pollution (diesel, benzene, etc.) after five years of effort. Rules go beyond EPA requirements and are a national model.
2001-2004
Mercury pilot
projects swapped over 3,000 switches in cars and increased fluorescent tube
recycling by 8% in targeted areas.
2001
Passed Mercury Reduction Act, which over time is reducing discharges of this neurotoxin by 25-35%. This was the most comprehensive mercury law in the nation addressing consumer products and resulted from a year-plus negotiation with stakeholders.
1999
Passed Pesticide Right to Know Law guaranteeing public access to data about all commercial pesticide use in Oregon. Only the third such law in the nation.
1998
Helped launch nation’s first for-profit car sharing firm.
1991
Secured toughest law in the nation regulating cyanide heap-leach mining.
Secured the nation’s first law requiring state agencies to minimize pesticide use.
1989
Passed Oregon Groundwater Protection Act.
1983
Passed Oregon’s
law guaranteeing curbside recycling and the first legislation nationally to set
pollution standards for wood stoves.
1981
Passed Oregon’s Safe Drinking Water Act.
1978
Defeated proposed Days Creek Dam on the South Umpqua River; helped gain wilderness status for French Pete Creek Valley east of Eugene.
1977
Secured nation’s first ban on certain ozone-depleting chemicals.
1975
Secured National
Recreation Area protection for Hells Canyon.
1973
Helped pass SB
100, Oregon’s
land use planning law.
1971
Led citizen
support that passed Oregon’s
bottle bill.
1969
Oregon
Environmental Council hires Larry Williams, the first full-time environmentalist in state history.
1968
Oregon Environmental Council founded, in part as a result of campaigns to protect Oregon’s beaches. Maradel Gale is the organization's first President and lobbyist.