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?

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