Public News Service

School districts across the nation spend $8 billion per year on energy costs. (naraichal/Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

As climate change ramps up, energy efficiency helps OR schools save money

Oregon students are back in the classroom, but their classrooms might not be as energy efficient or climate resilient as they should be. As the …

A dirty air filter can keep air conditioners from running optimally. (Kevin Brine/Adobe Stock)

Home cooling tips as hot summer days come to OR

As Oregon is seeing its first major heat event of the summer, some simple tips can help you keep your home cooler. Most of Oregon was under a heat …

The Climate Protection Program was adopted in Oregon in 2021 but invalidated in late 2023. (Cascadia Aerial/Adobe Stock)

Coalition forms to support restoration of OR Climate Protection Program

A diverse coalition of groups in Oregon is advocating for the restoration of the Climate Protection Program as the state works to reestablish it…

A new clinic on the Grand Ronde reservation includes solar panels so the building has power even during an outage. (Photo by Claire Carlson)

Clinic on OR reservation drives tribal self-reliance

By Claire Carlson for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Oregon News Service for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collaborat…

Many Oregonians lack air conditioners even as extreme heat events increase in the state. (M-Production/Adobe Stock)

OR first in nation to use Medicaid dollars to protect against climate change

By Samantha Young for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Oregon News Service reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Servic…

The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument encompasses about 14,000 acres in east-central Oregon. (Zack Frank/Adobe Stock)

New BLM rules better protect national parks, supporters say

Conservation groups said two new federal rules aim to help better protect public lands, including national parks. The Bureau of Land Management's …

Much of Oregon's BLM lands are in the southeastern part of the state. (John Chedsey/Adobe Stock)

New BLM rule creates opportunities for conservation in OR

Conservation and public access are on equal footing with other considerations for Bureau of Land Management lands under a recently announced rule…

A proposed mining road would have been built near the Brooks Range in northwest Alaska. (Irenabyss/Adobe Stock)

Rejection of AK mining road seen as victory for national parks across U.S.

The Biden administration has blocked a mining road in Alaska and public lands proponents see the move as a win for national parks around the country…

The Snake River is the largest tributary to the Columbia River. (Sascha Burkard/Adobe Stock)

Carbon emissions found from Columbia River Basin dams

A new report found four dams in the Columbia River Basin are big emitters of methane. Research from the organization Tell The Dam Truth showed the …

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management oversees 15.7 million acres of land in Oregon. (John Chedsey/Adobe Stock)

Bills in Congress seek to nix conservation in BLM Public Lands Rule

Bills in Congress would throw out comments for a proposed rule that would prioritize conservation and restoration on U.S. Bureau of Land Management …

The Biden Administration's investment in clean energy for rural America is the largest since the New Deal. (Robert Crum/Adobe Stock)

Rural Electric Co-ops Get $11 Billion Boost to Go Green

The Biden administration is dispersing $11 billion in loans and grants for rural electric cooperatives to go green. The programs are designed to …

Wind energy makes up about 14% of the electricity generated in the state. (Danita Delimont/Adobe Stock)

Report Provides Guidelines for Siting Renewables Responsibly in OR

Oregon needs more renewable energy but also should be aware of where it sites new projects. A new report provided guidelines for choosing the best …

The Greater Hart-Sheldon area in southeastern Oregon is home to more than 350 species. (brx0/Flickr)

New Rule Could Spur More Conservation on BLM Lands

A proposed rule from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management could raise conservation up as a priority on the land it manages. Under the proposal…

The Trojan Nuclear Plant in Oregon was connected to the grid in 1975 and shut down in 1992. (David Falconer/Wikimedia Commons)

'Atomic Bamboozle' Documents 'False Promises' of New Nuclear Tech

A film premiering this week tackles the potential harms of the nuclear industry. Portland State University professor emeritus Jan Haaken directed …

The Bonneville Dam is located about 40 miles east of Portland, Ore. (Dominic/Adobe Stock)

NW Energy Experts in DC Talking Grid Update, Saving Fish

Northwest energy experts and conservation leaders are in Washington, D.C. to urge policymakers to invest in modernizing the region's power grid…

On its route through Oregon, the GTN pipeline system skirts by Pendleton and south near Ashland. (Photocreo Bednarek/Adobe Stock)

Gas Pipeline Expansion Would Hurt NW Climate Goals, Say Opponents

Environmental groups want West Coast governors to speak out against the expansion of a gas pipeline in the region. The Canadian company T-C Energy is …

The Bonneville Power Administration has about 15,000 miles of transmission lines in the Northwest. (Cam/Adobe Stock)

Transmission Lines: Often Ignored, But Key to NW's Renewable Future

Oregon is pursuing an aggressive climate plan to switch to renewable energy sources, but it faces one often overlooked issue: enough high-voltage …

In Oregon, 36 building projects were LEED-certified in 2022. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Oregon Ranks in Top 10 for Green Buildings

Oregon is high on the list of states focused on sustainable building practices, according to a new report. The state comes in at number 10 in U.S…

The Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility has 300-megawatt wind farms and a 50-megawatt solar farm. (Chad/Adobe Stock)

Novel Solar-Wind-Battery Power Plant in OR a 'Needle Mover' for Renewables

A first-of-its-kind hybrid power plant with wind, solar and battery storage has opened in Oregon, and the plant could be a model as power grids …

The proposed Perennial Wind Chaser Station was a gas-fired power plant that would have generated 415 megawatts of power. (Ranimi/Adobe Stock)

OR Scraps Plans for Gas-Fired Power Plant

Oregon has officially axed a gas-fired power plant near the Columbia River. The Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council terminated the site …

La Perennial Wind Chaser Station propuesta era una central el�ctrica a base de gas que habr�a generado 415 megavatios de potencia. (Ranimi/Adobe Stock)

OR Desechados planes para construir planta de energía a base de gas

Oregón ha eliminado oficialmente una planta de energía a base de gas cerca del río Columbia. El Consejo de Ubicación de Energí…

Six janitors, above, graduated from a 30-hour curriculum on green and sustainable practices. (Molly J. Smith/Adobe Stock)

OR Janitors Go Green with Sustainability Certification

Janitors in downtown Portland have received a unique certification that signals they're going green. Six janitors were certified through the green …

Zenith Energy's facility is in Northwest Portland, with oil coming in by rail through the northern part of the city. (Rick Rappaport)

Blocked Portland Oil-By-Rail Facility Faces One More Test

An effort to block an oil-by-rail facility in Portland could be solidified this week. This summer, the city of Portland decided to deny a land-use …

Beginning in 2024, manufacturers must increase their zero-emission truck sales to between 30% and 50% by 2030. (Renew Oregon)

Front-Line Communities Applaud OR "Clean Truck" Rules

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Communities on the front lines of climate change are expected to benefit most from new rules in Oregon to move the state toward …

Electricity use is the second-largest source of carbon emissions in Oregon. (Beyond Toxics)

Groups Push for Stronger Action in OR Climate-Protection Program

Corrected 9/28/21, 2 p.m. MDT, to clarify that the Climate Protection Program was not directly created by executive order; and that it is unclear how …

Carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct in the production of concrete. (Banana Republic/Adobe Stock)

OR Sequestration Week: Future of Carbon Capture, Storage

PORTLAND, Ore. -- This week, groups are holding virtual events in Oregon for "Sequestration Week," and the potential of carbon capture is among the …

Catching salmon is big business for communities along the Oregon coast. (ftfoxfoto/Adobe Stock)

NW Proposal Could Boost Salmon 'Boat to Plate,' Supporters Say

PORTLAND, Ore. -- If the Pacific Northwest has a taste, it's for the region's salmon, but as the iconic fish species dwindles, it also effects a food …

Oregon scored high points in a report on electric vehicles for ensuring in its building codes that new buildings are wired to charge them. (Oregon Dept. of Transportation/Flickr)

OR in Top 10 for Electrifying Vehicles; Could Do More

PORTLAND, Ore. - Oregon is doing better than many states when it comes to electrifying transportation, but could do more, according to a new report…

Developing enough solar energy on farms to generate a fifth of the country's electricity needs could create 100,000 jobs. (Sean Nealon/Oregon State University)

Research: 'Harvesting' Solar Would Benefit Farmers, Climate

PORTLAND, Ore. -- If a small fraction of farms captured solar energy, it could produce a large slice of the country's energy needs - and boost …

The technology already exists to make Oregon homes completely sustainable, but not everyone knows how to get it. (Theresa Hogue/Oregon State University)

Oregonians 'Go Zero' for Sustainable Building Week

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Next week, Oregonians will get a peek into the greener future of homes. Monday is the start of the third annual Sustainable …

Eelgrass is critical habitat for juvenile crab and salmon. (David Ayers/U.S. Geological Survey)

OR Natural Gas Terminal Plans Threaten Integral Sea Plant

COOS BAY, Ore. -- A natural gas terminal proposed for southern Oregon could endanger a sea plant critical to commercial fishing and ocean habitats…

Environmental groups want the Oregon legislature and Gov. Kate Brown to take action to curb climate change next year. (Backbone Campaign/Flickr)

OR Groups Explore All Options for 2020 Climate Action

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Oregon's climate future could be decided in several ways in the New Year. During the legislature's short session in February…

Pumped hydro storage can be used to store energy from renewable energy sources, like wind and solar. (Wikimedia Commons)

Water-Pumping Facilities Could Be Key to NW's Renewable Future

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – As the Pacific Northwest eyes using more renewable energy, one big question arises – how will it be stored? New …

There are about 5,700 solar jobs in Oregon, ranking the state 14th overall for solar employment. (anatoliy_gleb/Adobe Stock)

Report: Clean Energy Jobs Booming Part of OR Economy

PORTLAND, Ore. – The clean energy sector is a major jobs provider in Oregon, according to a new report. Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2)…

At least 20 events are planned across Oregon for the Global Climate Strike. (ink drop/Adobe Stock)

OR Youth Call for Action to Save Planet from Climate Change

BEND, Ore. – Oregonians are joining people around the world today in a call for action on climate change. The youth-led Global Climate Strike …

Hang drying clothes is an environmentally friendly alternative to power hungry dryers. (directline.com/Flickr)

Oregonians Can Help Environment by Hang Drying Their Clothes

PORTLAND, Ore. – For Oregonians looking to become greener, environmental groups are suggesting that people pull their clothes out of the dryer …

More than 1 million acres of land recognized as wilderness quality in the Owyhee Canyonlands could be left unprotected in the U.S. Bureau Land Management's resource plans. (BLM/Flickr)

BLM Resource Plan Raises Concern for Owyhee Preservation

ONTARIO, Ore. — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has released a draft plan for managing southeastern Oregon, and high-desert enthusiasts are …

$While there are no fracking wells in Oregon, potential for fracturing has been identified in the Willamette Valley. (Calin Tatu/Adobe Stock)$

Oregon Lawmakers Approve Fracking Moratorium

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon legislators have voted to place a moratorium on the oil and gas extraction process known as hydraulic fracturing, or …

Oregon lawmakers are considering an ambitious bill to cap greenhouse gas emissions. (Waterkeeper Alliance Inc./Flickr)

Mid-Session, OR Lawmakers Making Climate Action Major Priority

SALEM, Ore. – A little more than halfway through the session, advocates for action on climate change see a lot of potential in the Oregon State …

Under NEPA, federal agencies must review the environmental impact of infrastructure projects, such as Oregon's dams. (U.S. Forest Service/Flickr)

White House, Congress Take Aim at Environmental Review Law

PORTLAND, Ore. – A law for evaluating the environmental impact of infrastructure projects is being targeted for changes by the White House and …

Many of the EPA regulations that Scott Pruitt scrapped or delayed as EPA administrator had not yet taken effect before his resignation. (Wikimedia Commons)

Government Watchdog Groups: Pruitt's EPA Exit "Long Overdue"

WASHINGTON – After allegedly overspending on everything from pens to lavish trips and accepting questionable deals from lobbyists, government …

A solar farm near Medford, Ore., also is home to 48 thriving bee colonies. (Pine Gate Renewables)

Nation's Largest Solar Bee Farm in Ore. Creating Buzz

MEDFORD, Ore. - Bees are enjoying their days in the sun on a clean-energy farm in southern Oregon. The Eagle Point solar farm outside Medford is the …

A 2017 law requires Oregon to upgrade older, diesel-powered school buses by 2025. (tmeanes77/Twenty20)

Report: Ore. Plans "Electrifying" Replacement for Diesel Buses

PORTLAND, Ore. - Oregon has announced it will replace hundreds of old diesel-powered school buses, and a new report suggests that replacing them with …

Oregon adopted higher fuel-efficiency standards more than a decade ago. Now, those standards could be in the EPA's sights. (MikesPhotos/Flickr)

Ore. Joins Lawsuit to Protect Cleaner Car Emission Standards

PORTLAND, Ore. - Oregon and 16 other states are suing the Trump administration over its proposal to end higher emission standards for cars. The …

Critics of natural gas warn that it produces an abundance of the potent greenhouse gas methane. (isakarakus/Wikimedia Commons)

Natural Gas: The Fuel with a "Dirty Secret"

PORTLAND, Ore. - Natural gas has been hailed as a potential "bridge fuel" for the country as it transitions from coal and oil to renewable energy…

An Oregon fishing guide says fishers worry about the effects of ethanol on their outboard motors. (Michelle B./Flickr)

Reforming Ethanol Mandate Could be Win for Environment

PORTLAND, Ore. – A bill to reform the biofuels mandate could reverse a decade of destruction to America's grasslands, according to …

As many as 47 leases could be sold if the Trump administration's proposal to allow offshore drilling is approved.(Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement/Flickr)

Could Offshore Drilling be Coming to Oregon's Waters?

SALEM, Ore. – Conservation groups are raising alarms over the Trump administration's decision to allow drilling off U.S. coasts. The Interior …

Oregon has set a goal of reducing carbon emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050. (RVwithTito.com/Flickr)

Is 2018 the Year Cap and Trade Comes to Oregon?

SALEM, Ore. -- Will 2018 be the year Oregon legislators set a cap on carbon emissions? State lawmakers have been working out the details of a cap-and-…

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 24 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

PNS Daily Newscast - September 19, 2024

2024Talks - September 19, 2024

The Yonder Report - September 19, 2024

OR: Energy Policy