Talking Oregon Transportation Funding on Think Out Loud
On Monday, May 18th, OPB’s Think Out Loud hosted a conversation about a comprehensive transportation package to increase funding for roads and bridges. Though this has received bipartisan support for quite some time, things came to a halt when some lawmakers started using the recently passed Clean Fuels bill as a bargaining chip for the package.
OEC’s Program Director of Climate, Jana Gastellum, joins Ryan Deckert, president and CEO of the Oregon Business Association, to talk about the transportation package and what it means for our state.
Unsure What To Say?Here are some points to keep in mind: Climate change is a crisis and it’s already here. Oregon needs the most ambitious cap and reduce program possible to take responsibility for our st
When you think about water in Oregon, you might think about the Rogue River, Pacific Coast or Malheur Lake. However, some of the most important bodies of water in our state isn’t visible to the naked eye: they’re under our feet.
Known as “forever chemicals,” harmful PFAS chemicals can be found in the air, water, and soil of virtually every ecosystem on Earth. Distribution of PFAS varies widely – from high concentrations in states like Michigan and Maine to very low levels here in Oregon. Our state’s water utilities and water quality agencies are already studying the sources and level of PFAS in our local water systems. But there is still much to learn about how these chemicals move thr
Right now, Oregon has a historic opportunity to lead in the manufacturing of in-demand clean energy technologies. By leveraging federal funds under the Inflation Reduction Act, the Clean Technology Leadership bill (HB 4112) will boost Oregon’s competitiveness to help land billions of dollars in investments in this strategic sector.Oregon’s opportunity to lead
As a state with a green reputation, the way Oregon interacts with and manages waste materials must continue to evolve in ways that preserve ecosystems, protect human health and waterways, and reduce climate pollution. For decades, Oregon has been a leader in sustainability – with our historic passing of the nation’s first bottle
Where it started: Curbside Recycling in OregonOur Bottle Bill was one of OEC’s first big policy wins. Enacted in 1971, the Bottle Bill put into place an incentive for people to return glass and aluminum which began to change the way that Oregonians thought about the downstream impacts of the p
2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Oregon’s Land Use Bills—Senate Bill 100 and 101— landmark laws that transformed the state’s landscape and protected its treasured farmland and natural spaces. This milestone offers us an opportunity to reflect on the environmental stewardship that has shaped the state’s identity. This anniversary also serves as a call to action for the shared responsibility of safeguarding Oregon’s environment for future generations.
Building the
The transition to electric vehicles – which dramatically cut air and climate pollution – is clearly underway. Global and national automakers are planning to phase out gas and diesel engines, spurred by national and state mandates to convert all new car sales to 100% electric as soon as 2035. The federal government and private sector companies are making huge investments in a national EV charging network.
To ensure small local businesses and the neighborhoods they serve also benefit fro
On September 29, 2023, OEC gathered with a growing coalition of community-based organizations, lawmakers, and business groups following oral arguments heard by the Oregon Court of Appeals to rally behind the Oregon Climate Protection Program (CPP), which is under attack from the fossil fuel industry.OREGON’S CLIMATE PROTECTION PROGRAM
Oregon’s Climate Protection Program (CPP) is a cornerstone in our st
