Oregon Environmental Council staff and board are feeling both grateful and energized to see how Oregonians voted on critical ballot measures in the 2018 midterm election. With 69.06% of eligible voters turning out across the state, Oregonians stood by healthy and safe communities as a priority. And Portland’s clean energy measure showed that Oregon is among the many states taking bold action to address climate change. The outcomes, as of 11/09/2018:
Measure 102: PASSED with 56.77% of the vote. This measure will help Oregon respond to the unprecedented squeeze on available affordable housing units, using a wider variety of strategies to make safe, healthy housing available for low-income Oregonians across the state. Voters in Washington, Clackamas, and Multnomah counties also voted 59.27% in favor of a bond measure to fund affordable housing. ✓
Measure 103: REJECTED with 57.34% of the vote. Voters saw through this poorly crafted attempt at blocking taxes or fees on so-called “groceries,” which was far too broadly defined. Rejecting the measure makes it possible for OEC and others to work constructively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, agriculture, and beyond. ✓
Measure 104: REJECTED with 65.22% of the vote. If backers of this measure had succeeded in changing the constitution and limiting the legislature’s ability to fund programs, Oregon’s natural resources and the health of our shared environment would be in jeopardy. With the constitution intact, OEC is proud to work in a bipartisan manner to support our natural resource budgets and remove costly loopholes for polluters. ✓
Measure 105: REJECTED with 63.39% of the vote. Oregonians rejected an attempt to repeal Oregon’s law that protects immigrants and refugees from unjust racial profiling. By standing up for safe and inclusive communities, Oregonians reinforced the premise that we must work together to protect what we love. Together, we can find solutions to protect the climate, water, and air quality that we all share. ✓
Portland Clean Energy Fund: PASSED with 65.04% of voters. The measure shows that there is public will to get serious about Portland’s goal of 100% clean renewable electricity by 2035. The time to hold business accountable for their climate pollution is—yesterday. The measure also harnesses the power of clean energy projects, and the jobs that go with them, to support low-income communities and communities of color that bear the greatest impacts of climate change. ✓
Oregon Environmental Council will be actively working with the Oregon Legislature during the 2019 Session on solutions to protect climate, water, and air quality. Stay tuned—and we’ll see you in Salem!
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
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. Almost one year ago to the day, OEC brought these partners together to form the Oregon Clean Grid
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
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
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 aren’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 North Carolina 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 chemica
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
2 Replies to "Oregon Values Held Strong on the 2018 Ballot"
James Rodell
November 15, 2018 (7:17 pm)
Please help us deal with forest fire smoke and other such causes of smoke not only in preventive ways, but also by letting us know what air filters and masks are effective and available to the public. You could begin a strong public dialog to develop initiatives to help people pay for preparing for such inimical air. I’ve read that normal home air purifiers can filter out .03 micron and above-sized particles. Are the most harmful particles smaller?
Thank you. (I’m a contributor to the OEC.)
Beverly Barnes
November 30, 2018 (1:43 am)
Too many people are getting asthma and long last lung issues from the bad smoke in the Southern part of the State. This is going to tax our medical facilities and hurt the children and the elderly of the state. Homes are being built with lots of chemicals and plastics which are toxic when burned. Building materials should be reviewed and better planning for escape routes are needed. What happened in Paradise could happen in a number of small communities in the South and just as we have evacuation routes on the coast signs need to be posted inland in fire prone areas. That was one of the biggest hurdles for those people in Paradise was they were turned around and roads were closed off and a lack of notification was a major downfall. Not everyone has a cell phone and cell phone are worthless in a fire. You need a siren alert in the neighborhoods. That fire started early in the morning and people were in bed and most likely died because of that.
James Rodell
November 15, 2018 (7:17 pm)
Please help us deal with forest fire smoke and other such causes of smoke not only in preventive ways, but also by letting us know what air filters and masks are effective and available to the public. You could begin a strong public dialog to develop initiatives to help people pay for preparing for such inimical air. I’ve read that normal home air purifiers can filter out .03 micron and above-sized particles. Are the most harmful particles smaller?
Thank you. (I’m a contributor to the OEC.)
Beverly Barnes
November 30, 2018 (1:43 am)
Too many people are getting asthma and long last lung issues from the bad smoke in the Southern part of the State. This is going to tax our medical facilities and hurt the children and the elderly of the state. Homes are being built with lots of chemicals and plastics which are toxic when burned. Building materials should be reviewed and better planning for escape routes are needed. What happened in Paradise could happen in a number of small communities in the South and just as we have evacuation routes on the coast signs need to be posted inland in fire prone areas. That was one of the biggest hurdles for those people in Paradise was they were turned around and roads were closed off and a lack of notification was a major downfall. Not everyone has a cell phone and cell phone are worthless in a fire. You need a siren alert in the neighborhoods. That fire started early in the morning and people were in bed and most likely died because of that.