Defending Oregon from Federal Attacks on Community Health

Pulling out of international climate agreements. Cutting funds for programs that keep our drinking water safe. It seems, every week there is a new announcement from Washington, D.C. that signals our country’s water, air, and public health are under attack.

To understand what’s at stake, Oregon Environmental Council has launched a new project focused on how federal actions will affect Oregon’s ability to protect the environment and how we can stand strong for Oregon’s environment and the health of our communities, particularly our state’s most vulnerable populations.

Cuts in federal agency budgets will put key state agencies at risk. If the proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is enacted, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will lose critical resources needed to protect community health, especially clean air and water.

In addition to cutting federal agency budgets and programs, drastic policy changes are afoot. President Trump’s first 100 days was filled with actions to halt our country’s efforts to address climate change. Fortunately, Oregon leaders have signaled a desire to be vigilant, particularly when it comes to fighting climate change. Under Governor Kate Brown’s leadership, Oregon joined the U.S. Climate Alliance, an initiative to uphold the Paris Climate Agreement. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum joined with 14 other states, threatening to sue the EPA for violating the Clean Air Act.

In the months ahead, OEC will need your help in standing up for the environment and preventing actions at the federal level that undermine the ability of the State of Oregon to provide basic services in the areas of clean air, clean water, and community health.

OEC Stories:

> STOP THE CLEAN WATER ROLL BACK

> EPA BUDGET = OR DEQ CUTS OF 45% 

> EPA CUTS: OREGON MUST STAND STRONG 

> OEC STATEMENT: NEWS OF PARIS AGREEMENT 

> GUEST BLOG: CLIMATE ACTION: “GOD HELP US!” 

> PRUITT CONFIRMED HEAD OF THE EPA – WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Related Posts

Filter by

Post type

Post Page

Category

Featured Toxics-Free Environments Air Quality OEC News/Updates/Events Media/PR/Statements Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Climate Protection Policy Transportation Solutions Rural Partnerships Water News Living Green

Sort by

Title Relevance

Diesel in Our Air: Lents Community Air Sampling Project

How do people in Lents experience air pollution as they play soccer, wait for the bus,  or simply live near high-traffic routes and industrial sites where diesel engines are used? To better understand diesel pollution in our daily lives, Lents neighbors worked to locate, observe and sample the tiny particles of black carbon in the air.

January 11, 2017, 11:46 pm

admin

9

Engaging Oregon’s Hispanic Community for Climate Action

Oregon Environmental Council and its partners have been working to broaden Oregon’s climate movement – looking beyond our usual allies to impacted communities and overlooked allies. In order for us to lead on climate, the movement must be broad, encompass all communities and be a place where all Oregonians feel they have a voice. While OEC has often worked to create culturally competent materials that resonate with different groups, as a part of our climate push, we are m

August 17, 2015, 6:50 pm

devond

9

Diesel pollution and health

Diesel exhaust is costing Oregon billions of dollars each year in health care costs, lost lives and missed work and school. “In pediatrics, we want to prevent kids from getting sick. We are asking parents to take individual action. But there’s nothing we can do to get them to prevent exposing their kids to air pollution. It’s only good public policy that can help protect kids in that way.” — Dr. Paul Lewis, MD, MPH; Tri-County Health Officer Diesel exhau

February 7, 2019, 10:00 pm

jenc

0

2018 Legislative Wrap: Healthy Strides

March 8, 2018, 10:58 pm

admin

0

Healthy Success for Student Transit

School-age children around Oregon need better

March 8, 2018, 10:57 pm

admin

0

Toxic Free Building: for the Environment and Our Health

The intersection of health and the environment is core to Barbara and Bill Steele’s work as farmers and winegrowers in S

July 7, 2017, 9:59 pm

admin

0

Oregon’s transportation plan supports a healthier state

Safer roads, more options, cleaner air  (UPDATED: 7/6/17) Oregon

July 6, 2017, 2:20 am

admin

0

White House Risks Health of Our Water and Our Communities

Trump Administration begins process to roll back Clean Water Rule Yesterday the Trump Administration put the sources of drinking water for more than 4 million Oregonians at greater risk, along with the streams and wetlands that filter pollution and provide habitat for wildlife, by starting the process to repeal the Clean Water Rule. Leaders in Oregon vow to continue to move forward

June 28, 2017, 4:16 pm

stacey

0

OEC Statement: White House Attacks Cornerstone Environmental Policy

President Trump signs executive order to roll back Clean Power Plan PORTLAND, OR – As President Trump signs an executive order to roll back the Clean Power Plan, the single largest policy action in U.S. history and our country’s cornerstone commitment to international cooperation to combat the devastating effects of climate c

March 28, 2017, 5:15 pm

admin

0

New public health plan tackles climate change in Oregon

Guest Blog Post by Alex Garcia, Oregon Climate and Health Program, AmeriCorps VISTA Team Member Oregon’s public health sector is committed to taking care of Oregonians, especially those most vulnerable amongst us. That is why addressing and preparing for climate change, one of the greatest threat multipliers for public health, is a priority for the Oregon Health Authority. Yesterday, the Oregon Public Health Division released the

February 3, 2017, 7:33 pm

devond

0