Natural gas terminal plans in Oregon hit snag over permit
By GILLIAN FLACCUS
Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Plans for a major West Coast liquified natural gas pipeline and export terminal have hit a snag with federal regulators after a years-long legal battle that has united tribes, environmentalists and a coalition of residents on Oregon’s rural southern coast against the proposal.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruled that energy company Pembina could not move forward with the proposal without a key clean water permit from the state of Oregon. The U.S. regulatory agency gave its tentative approval to the pipeline last March as long as it secured the necessary state permits, but the Canadian pipeline company has been unable to do so.
Credit Love Cross / KLCC
Oregon’s Environmental Quality Commission has voted to designate Crater Lake and Waldo Lake as Outstanding Resource Waters. The special recognition provides state protections by preventing activities that could potentially harm water quality at either lake.
The commission, which oversees the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, voted 4-0 Thursday for the new designations.
In announcing the recognition, Oregon DEQ Director Richard Whitman said “Crater Lake and Waldo Lake are unique and invaluable treasures for Oregonians and the world. Their crystal clear clean waters represent the best of Oregon’s natural beauty. By designating the lakes as Outstanding Resource Waters, Oregon s Environmental Quality Commission is assuring that these special places will remain unspoiled for present and future generations.”
National Park Service (file)
Prevents activities that could potentially harm their crystal clear waters
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) Two remarkably clear and internationally known bodies of water in Oregon – Crater Lake and Waldo Lake – now have additional state protections, after action taken Thursday by the Environmental Quality Commission.
“Crater Lake and Waldo Lake are unique and invaluable treasures for Oregonians and the world,” said DEQ Director Richard Whitman. “Their crystal clear, clean waters represent the best of Oregon’s natural beauty. By designating the lakes as Outstanding Resource Waters, Oregon s Environmental Quality Commission is assuring that these special places will remain unspoiled for present and future generations.”
HB 2007 – State Diesel Policy
Latest information on HB 2007
Diesel engine exhaust is a complex mixture of gases and particles. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are the diesel combustion byproducts that are of most concern. Each has specific health, environmental and climate impacts. In addition, the amount of diesel particulate pollution in the Portland region is above Oregon clean air health goals. Because diesel particulate matter is classified as an air toxic in Oregon, it is important to reduce the community s exposure to this priority pollutant. The 2019 Oregon Legislature responded to the concerns around diesel and passed HB 2007 to reduce diesel emissions in Oregon.
Debris clean-up begins in earnest, more than 4 months after Almeda Fire
The herculean task of cleaning up debris left behind by the devastating Almeda and South Obenchain fires is now underway, more than four months after the early September fires leveled hundreds of homes and businesses.
Posted: Jan 20, 2021 2:50 PM
Updated: Jan 20, 2021 2:58 PM
Posted By: Jamie Parfitt
3 Images
PHOENIX, Ore. The herculean task of cleaning up debris left behind by the devastating Almeda and South Obenchain fires is now underway, more than four months after the early September fires leveled hundreds of homes and businesses.
Debris clean-up marks step two of the effort, which began with removal of hazardous waste in October. The first step meant removal of chemicals and other hazards. Though limited compared to the larger task of debris removal, crews still removed roughly 300,000 pounds of waste from damaged and destroyed properties.