Alex Baumhardt - Oregon Capital Chronicle
Alex Baumhardt has been a national radio producer focusing on education for American Public Media since 2017. She has reported from the Arctic to the Antarctic for national and international media, and from Minnesota and Oregon for The Washington Post. She previously worked in Iceland and Qatar and was a Fulbright scholar in Spain where she earned a master's degree in digital media. She's been a kayaking guide in Alaska, farmed on four continents and worked the night shift at several bakeries to support her reporting along the way.
NW Natural customers likely to see smaller rate increases after settlement
Several groups challenging NW Natural's request for a 17% rate increase claimed victory following a settlement likely to lead instead to a 7% rate increase.
Drought in the West has cost hydropower industry billions in losses in two decades, analysis finds
Researchers estimated Oregon's hydropower sector has lost more than $1.5 billion over the past two decades due to drought, which limits power generation.
Environmental regulators say NW Natural misleading customers about state climate credit program
In a newsletter, the state’s largest natural gas utility said Oregon’s carbon crediting program might not lead to pollution reductions, which regulators say is wrong.
Amount of planet-warming carbon dioxide that Oregon farmland absorbs overinflated, study finds
State and federal leaders have put millions into improving crops and soils so they absorb more carbon dioxide, but across the U.S. that would only cut 3% of agricultural emissions, researchers found.
Teachers gather in Corvallis to find solutions to close pandemic learning gaps
A two-day meeting, which brought more than 700 teachers together, is the culmination of work that started in late 2023.
Oregon leaders call for federal aid for farmers and ranchers impacted by summer wildfires
Gov. Tina Kotek is seeking a federal disaster declaration for 23 Oregon counties, which would allow farmers and ranchers access to assistance programs and loans.
Utility watchdog asks state to intervene on proposed double-digit electricity rate hikes
The Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board wants Oregon regulators to cap annual electricity rate increases. PGE rates have increased more than 30% in the past two years.
Environmentalists, customers raise concerns over new NW Natural hydrogen project to lower emissions
The state’s largest natural gas utility is attempting to blend low-emission hydrogen into natural gas in Portland to fight climate change, but many say it’s a bad bet.
Redo of Oregon program to cap greenhouse gas pollution ready for public review
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality reworked the state’s landmark Climate Protection Program after it was derailed by a gas company lawsuit.
Climate change a growing public health threat in Oregon, but state adapting, report finds
More Oregonians are visiting emergency rooms because of the impacts of excessive heat and poor quality from wildfires. Rural and elderly Oregonians and Oregonains of color are hit hardest.