49 results for tag: climate
New Staff Q&A: Jessie Kochaver
We’re thrilled to introduce our new Clean Grid Campaign Director, Jessie Kochaver!
Jessie hails from Boise, ID, where she spent her childhood backpacking, skiing, and getting off the grid in the family van. After graduating from college in Salt Lake City, Utah, she packed up her car and moved to Oregon, spending time in Hood River and Bend before finally settling in Portland. Her passion for environmental advocacy led her to join OEC’s Emerging Leaders Board in 2022. At the same time, she was cutting her teeth in the legislature as a Climate Policy Analyst for Representative Mark Gamba’s office in Salem—working in coalition with leaders ...
Joining Oregon’s Climate Advocates in Washington DC
This month, I joined a Climate Action Campaign advocacy trip to DC—my first time participating in this critical work since the coalition began organizing these efforts 13 years ago. This "big green" coalition has real influence, having helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, and brings together advocates from across the country to push for federal climate action.
Together, our mission was clear:
Fully fund federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in upcoming budget appropriations
Push back against the Trump ...
You Can’t Put a Price on Saving Lives
Oregon state lawmakers are entering the final weeks of the legislative session. As our elected officials make tough decisions about what bills will pass or die this session, one thing is clear: there’s not enough money to go around.
Against this budget-constrained backdrop, already this month Oregon has already faced a heatwave, wildfires, and a smog warning. People across our state need home cooling, clean air, and energy security.
These aren’t luxuries. They’re life-saving essentials in the face of extreme climate events.
Only four years ago, a heat dome claimed the lives of hundreds of Oregonians, many of them elders, living alone ...
The Clean Grid Explained: Key Terms for Understanding How Electricity Moves in Oregon
Clean energy is the backbone for reaching our climate goals and helping to cut climate pollution in buildings, transportation, and industry. In the upcoming 2025 legislative session, OEC will collaborate with partners to keep moving forward on our clean energy goals. As climate-fueled disasters like wildfires, scorching heat, and drought in our own backyard become increasingly hard to ignore, it’s more important than ever that we accelerate our progress.
Enter: The electricity grid. You’ve probably heard the term – though you’re not alone if you don’t know what it really means. Broadly speaking, the grid is the entire ...
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 books thanks to the thoughtful work of Governor Kotek's office and the Department of Environmental Quality staff. It couldn’t have been done without collective dedication and grit. Thousands of Oregonians, including OEC members and action takers, stood up ...
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 CPP
-> DEQ Comment Deadline - 9/27 by 4 PM
-> Testify to DEQ - 9/26 at 3:20-5:20 PM - Testimony Prep
-> More Info - ORClimateJustice.org
The Climate Protection Program is vital to achieving our statewide climate pollution reduction goals and delivering justice for environmental justice communities statewide. It is essential ...
2024 Legislative Session
OEC’s legislative advocacy in the 2024 short session will take key bills over the finish line, secure essential funding for environmental programs, and deliver on our promise to stay vigilant for the health of Oregon’s environment and communities.
Our advocacy helps ensure healthy air, thriving communities, clean and plentiful water, and climate resiliency. Our policies harness innovation and create new economic opportunities. They are grounded in preventing harm and advancing fairness.
YOU CAN GET INVOLVED: Sign up for our Grassroots Action Information Network (GAIN) email list. We’ll send you ways to show up, communicate with legislators, ...
Clean Tech: Greener, Richer, Freer
More and more people in Oregon and across the United States are embracing electric vehicles and efficient HVAC systems to heat and cool their homes. Individual decisions like these will help Oregon deliver on its climate goals, but is our state missing a big opportunity to create thousands of jobs building clean energy technologies? Hear from industry experts who spoke at our latest Business & Environment Forum about Oregon’s chance to be a leader in clean tech.
Checklist: DIY Home Heat Pump Maintenance
Like all heating and cooling systems, proper maintenance helps heat pumps operate at optimal efficiency.
Oregon’s Climate Protection Program (CPP) Is Under Attack