Oregon votes on environmental values

The 2016 elections showed once again that Oregonians strongly value healthy, safe and sustainable lives. We’re willing to put our money where our values are and invest in our environment for today and into the future.

Voters in Oregon showed that they were aligned with OEC in support of four ballot measures (see details below). supporters. Now that elections are over and the 2017 legislative session is coming up fast, OEC staff are humbled and grateful to work on behalf of Oregonians across the state to build innovative, collaborative and equitable environmental solutions.

Across the State

 66.5% YES: Outdoor School for All. Oregon students across the state will have the opportunity to participate in outdoor education with a week-long outdoor school program. Allowing every student the time and place to really connect with the land, water and wildlife is a value that Oregonians can stand behind.

In Portland

61% YES: “Affordable Homes:” Portland can now bring $258.4 million to bear on addressing our housing crisis. The City of Portland’s 20-year general bond will be applied to build or preserve rental units for low-income households. Safe and stable housing is an essential “environment” for health and well-being. What’s more, affordable housing options will help ensure that lower-income residents have better access to school and work as well as accessible transit, which will result in less driving leading to cleaner air and safer streets.

In the Portland Metro Region 

73.5% YES The Protect Our Natural Areas ballot measure renews Metro’s current parks and natural areas levy. Portland voters spoke up loudly in favor of preserving and protecting air, water and wildlife in 17,000 acres of parks, trails, and natural areas—and to make those areas accessible to residents through improved public access, educational programming, and grant programs that focus on historically disenfranchised communities.

YES Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District Levy: Tualatin’s soil and water conservation district, the only district in the Portland metro area without a stable tax base, will now have a levy funding the district’s core programs: protecting clean and plentiful water and habitats, increasing soil health and controlling erosion and invasive weeds, and promoting forest health and urban conservation.

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Climate Protection Win for Oregon Workers

Industry plaintiffs brought two claims against rules to protect workers in Oregon from the harmful and dangerous impacts of exposure to heat and smoke. Both suits were dismissed “with prejudice” which means they were dismissed permanently and cannot be brought to Court again.   On December 20, 2022, the U.S. District Court in Medford dismissed

January 23, 2023, 8:03 pm

jamie-pang

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Tolling in Oregon: What’s The Deal?

What is tolling? It seems like a simple question, but a “toll” can be understood in many different ways. Most simply, a toll is a charge for driving a vehicle on a specific piece of roadway.  Looking beyond that, though, there are a lot of really interesting questions worth considering.  For example, how much should a toll cost? What is the toll really paying for? Should every vehicle be

November 14, 2022, 9:13 pm

saraw

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The Inflation Reduction Act for Oregon

Only a few months ago, things were not looking good for federal climate action. The Supreme Court had just voted to strike down the Clean Power Plan. Senator Manchin of West Virginia had just announced he would not support a reconciliation package with new spending on climate change. And, after decades of denial, delay, and failed attempts, everyone’s hope was wearing thin.  Then, seemingly out of thin air, Senate D

November 14, 2022, 8:31 pm

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Clean Cars Are the Future – It’s Time to Update Oregon’s Standards

It is (past) time we break up with oil! Not only do the big changes in the price of gas affect our wallets, but burning fossil fuels is bad for the climate and our health. Oregon has the opportunity to be a leader in the transition to electric vehicles and get on the path to meeting our climate pollution reduction goals by adopting the Advanced Clean Car II

October 5, 2022, 5:35 pm

jacqui

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Breathe Easier: Cleaner Fuels and Cleaner Air for Oregonians

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 23, 2022 MEDIA CONTACT: Joel Schoening, joels@oeconline.org (503) 349-3254 Breathe Easier: Cleaner Fuels and Cleaner Air for Oregonians State Adopts Nation’s Strongest Standards for Clean Fuels Salem, OR – Today, Oregon set a new nation-leading standard that will protect our air from fossil f

September 23, 2022, 7:44 pm

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Climate Victory! Oregon Clean Fuels Standard Now Strongest in the Nation

Oregon just took a huge step toward reducing climate and air pollution from our top emitting sector. The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) today adopted an expanded Clean Fuels Program, more than tripling our existing standard to make it the strongest in the nation. See our joint press release here.

September 23, 2022, 7:44 pm

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UPDATE: Victory! Judge dismisses Oregon Toxic Free Kids Act Litigation

As we reported at the start of the new year (see below), American Apparel, the Toy Association, and its member coalition- Safe to Play, had

September 7, 2022, 10:57 pm

jamie-pang

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Coalition of State and National Groups Files Intervention to Defend Oregon’s Climate Protection Program Against Oil and Gas Industry Attack

For Immediate Release September 7, 2022 Salem, OR – A coalition of environmental justice, climate, and business organizations today filed a legal intervention

September 7, 2022, 9:01 pm

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No time to burn: let’s keep the future of gas short in Oregon 

By: Nora Apter, the Climate Program Director for Oregon Environmental Council. Greer Ryan, Oregon Clean Buildings Policy Manager with Climate Solutions.

July 12, 2022, 4:35 pm

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Advocates Denounce Industry Lawsuit to Stop Oregon Heat and Smoke Protections

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 23, 2022 Contacts: Kate Suisman, Northwest Workers’ Justice Project, kate@nwjp.org, (503) 765-7105

June 23, 2022, 5:58 pm

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