22 milestones for Oregon in 2018
Oregon Environmental Council has a bold agenda for 2019, but before we jump ahead we pause to reflect and to express our gratitude to the extraordinary community partners, civic leaders, board members and donors who stood up for a better Oregon for all. We celebrate and share these important milestones in creating a healthier environment for all Oregonians.
- January: Home Energy Score ordinance takes effect. Portland home buyers are informed buyers via a home energy report, including energy costs, usage and recommendations for greater efficiencies. City of Portland is leading the way!
- January: Multnomah County adopts wood smoke ordinance to reduce pollution. Did you know that wood smoke is harmful to human health and accounts for the majority of fine particle pollution during winter months?
- January: Oregon’s groundbreaking Toxic Free Kids Act kicks into action – manufacturers of children’s products must report on the presence of specific toxics in their products.
- February: Clean Energy Jobs bill receives resounding support – more than 500 Oregonians from every legislative district turn up at the Oregon Capitol, and legislators say it’s the biggest lobby day they’ve ever seen!
- February: Access to public transit for youth is improved. At least 1% of the new transit operations funding secured through the 2017 transportation package in the Oregon Legislature must support youth transit.
- February: Oregon Legislature creates the Carbon Policy Office and launches the Joint Committee on Carbon Reduction to ensure a “cap and invest” program, which puts a price on carbon, is ready for passage in 2019.
- March: Oregon holds first-ever statewide celebration of World Water Day – 34 organizations representing a diversity of causes and communities participate.
- June: Oregon reduces climate pollution by nearly 2 million metric tons thanks to Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program. Our state is leading the way again!
- July: Governor and state agencies launch a long-term, future-looking initiative to ensure Oregon has clean and reliable water for the next 100 years.
- August: Oregon Supreme Court clears the way for cleaner cars on Oregon’s roads with its ruling that the state’s new “privilege tax” on new cars can allow the use of electric vehicle rebates and other non-highway investments.
- August: Oregon Transportation Commission formally adopts Statewide Transportation Strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reinvigorating a plan that was sitting on the shelf.
- August: Art of Loving Oregon, a series of three public art dedications commemorating major legislative achievements championed by the Oregon Environmental Council, kicks off with the dedication of Framian at Sokol Blosser Winery in Dundee. Jason Rens’ sculpture honors Senate Bill 100 (1973), which established statewide planning laws and created the Department of Land Conservation and Development.
- September: Oregon’s groundbreaking Clean Fuels Standard is reaffirmed in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, upholding a lower court’s ruling dismissing industry claims. Another victory for Oregon and the climate!
- September: Electric buses will replace dirty diesel buses in the Portland region with adoption of a “non-diesel bus strategy” and pilot program by TriMet’s Board of Directors.
- October: Oregon Environmental Council marks its 50th anniversary as a proven leader and champion of the Beach Bill, Bottle Bill, Bike Bill and so many other environmental policies that promote human health, economic sustainability, and social justice.
- November: Voters support affordable housing and clean energy and reject measures that would undermine good government and immigrants rights.
- November: The Cleaner Air Oregon program goes into effect, becoming a unique state program to regulate a wide range of toxic air emissions from small industrial facilities.
- December: Oregon Transportation Commission asks the Federal Highway Association to review the Portland area peak period tolling plan, which would reduce the need for expensive new highway infrastructure that damages neighborhoods and the environment.
- December: Oregon’s Environmental Justice Task Force celebrates its 10th anniversary (OEC staff celebrates 8 years of service on the Task Force).
- December: The second dedication in the Art of Loving series took place in Salem with the installation of Good Cents, a sculpture by Lillian Pitt, Saralyn Hilde and Mikkel Hilde, commemorating Oregon’s Bottle Bill (1971), which originally required consumers to pay a nickel deposit that would be re-collected after returning an empty glass bottle for recycling.
- December: City of Portland and Multnomah County adopt Clean Air Construction Standards, requiring cleaner construction equipment to be used on publicly funded projects.
- December: Oregon Environmental Council is featured in for the first time, and we invite you to support our work!
Forever Chemicals in Oregon? Not If We Stop Them.
PFAS are called “forever chemicals” for a reason: once they’re in the environment, they stick around – causing harm for generations. This group of synthetic chemicals are added to products to deflect heat, grease, and water. But, instead of helping, these toxic chemicals are cau
March 13, 2025, 4:45 pm
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Move Oregon Forward: A Coalition and Vision for Our Transportation Future
There’s a big problem happening in our transportation system today, and it’s been decades in the making. The Oregon Department of Transportation is facing a $1.8 billion deficit. If this is not met, ODOT staff have sai
January 21, 2025, 6:20 pm
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The Clean Grid Explained: Key Terms for Understanding How Electricity Moves in Oregon
January 17, 2025, 11:15 am
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Building on the Past: A Journey Into the Heart of Oregon’s Activism
by Meagan Golec, Major Gifts Officer
When I was hired at OEC three years ago, I had a lot of nonprofit experience but had never worked in the environmental sphere. I came equipped with a deep love and appreciation for wild spaces, and a strong belief that we need a healthy environment to thrive. I knew that Oregon was considered an
November 27, 2024, 3:28 pm
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Oregon’s Climate Protection Program is Restored!
Oregon just scored a major environmental victory! In a unanimous vote, the Environmental Quality Commission (ECQ) adopted the newly revised Climate Protection Program, reinstating the landmark policy at a time when climate action is critical. This marks the most significant climate action taken in the wake of the federal election.
Now, Oregon’s most influential climate policy is back on the bo
November 21, 2024, 2:13 pm
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Oregon Clean Grid Summit: Q&A With Attendees
Last month, OEC, Renewable Northwest, and our partners in the Oregon Clean Grid Collaborative (OCGC) joined in person with a diverse group of clean energy stakeholders from across Oregon for the first annual
September 30, 2024, 3:19 pm
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Transforming How Oregon Powers Our Lives
Oregon’s future depends on a clean, resilient power grid – one that meets increasing demand, supports thriving local economies and fosters resilient communities.
This vision for a clean-energy future is within reach.
There are countless allies across Oregon – in environmental circles, community justice, academia, government and business – who share this vision for our future. To meet this moment, OEC brought these partners together to form the Oregon Clean Grid Colla
August 21, 2024, 3:15 am
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Help Restore Oregon’s Climate Protection Program
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) just released draft rules to restore Oregon’s cornerstone Climate Protection Program (CPP), kicking off a short public comment period. Help us restore the CPP and hold polluters accountable!
QUICK LINKS TO TAKE ACTION:
-> Send this Letter to DEQ to Restore the C
August 7, 2024, 3:18 pm
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Oregon’s Climate Protection Program (CPP) Is Under Attack
Click here for the latest news on the CPP.
Editor’s note: This article was updated on 7/31/2024 to reflect actions by the Oregon Department of Environmental
July 31, 2024, 9:41 am
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Adapting to Heat: A Texan’s Guide for Oregonians
In Texas, our summers were always hot. But not this hot. It was 81° the day I left Austin for Portland in late February of this year – what would have been a normal summer day, but in the midst of winter.
Just a
July 12, 2024, 3:09 pm
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Andrea Durbin
December 20, 2018 (10:23 pm)
What a year of accomplishments for Oregon!
Sandra Russill
December 21, 2018 (2:37 pm)
Thanks for the list. I am impressed! The small steps as well as the big ones matter! Keep up the good work!