Category Environment & Agriculture
Behind schedule, over budget, state-backed rail projects costing $70 million sit idle
Two freight-to-rail centers in the Willamette Valley and eastern Oregon have failed to fulfill a single promise of boosting agricultural exports and reducing emissions.
Treasurer readies plan to get state pension fund to ‘net-zero’ greenhouse gas emissions
A state treasurer plan would balance investments in carbon-emitting industries with enterprises that cut or absorb emissions.
Timber industry tied to proposal shifting wildfire protection costs from landowners to public
Several Oregon timber companies participated in a workgroup and proposal that would cut the fees they pay to the state for fire protection.
Salem saw a drier 2023 with May, August heat records
In Salem, long stretches of hot weather broke heat records in 2023. It was the hottest May yet for the city, and August tied for first with 2017, according to the National Weather Service’s year in review.
Oregon needs more money to fight big wildfires. Who should pay for it?
Two Oregon senators aim to boost funding to the state’s firefighting efforts, one funded by the public, the other by timber companies
Corps refilling Willamette River reservoirs after drawdowns meant to help migrating fish
Officials say it’s too soon to determine whether opening dams on the Willamette helped young Chinook salmon and steelhead journey to the Pacific Ocean.
Court rules Oregon’s landmark climate change regulations invalid in case brought by gas utilities
The Oregon Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that a procedural error in approving the state's Climate Protection Program invalidates the regulations.
OREGON NEWS: More protections coming for old-growth forests under federal plans
Changes to the U.S. Forest Service’s national and Northwest forest plans should protect more old-growth trees from wildfire and climate change.
OREGON NEWS: Lawmakers, advocates ask state to investigate NW Natural for misleading claims about natural gas
A coalition said NW Natural should publicly disclose to consumers the health and climate risks of natural gas-burning appliances.