Climate Change
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Salem 2013: 'Gut-and-Stuff' move could kicker-start Oregon carbon tax
As talk of a carbon tax in Oregon continues, a bill aimed to study just that is moving through the legislature. While the bill has sturdy legs, state leaders have changed the conversation to focus on…
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Future Energy Conference: Outlook not so bad
It might be another year before the market for renewable energy heats up in Oregon, and it will take a policy push from industry and advocates to spur a political atmosphere that’s ripe for change. That…
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Nike, Intel urge Congress to take climate change action
Three iconic Portland-area businesses are part of a potentially game-changing coalition that's demanding Congress address issues stemming from climate change. Nike Inc., Intel Corp. and the Portland Trail…
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Will environmental regs spell coal’s end?
A Duke University study has concluded that a series of pending environmental regulations could make two-thirds of coal-fired power plants more expensive to operate than natural gas plants, a shift that’s…
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NFIB: Governors' coal export views are misguided
The National Federation of Independent Business has blasted high-ranking Northwest officials' coal export stances. NFIB leaders from Oregon and Washington this said Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber and Washington…
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Oregon's carbon tax bills contain lots of twists
Oregon utilities and fuel suppliers could be paying a carbon tax on fossil fuels if one of two bills passes the Oregon Legislature by June. The likelihood of either clearing that hurdle, however, is low.…
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Three issues to watch in Oregon's carbon tax debate
British Columbia's environment minister says his province and Oregon have plenty in common. But Terry Lake isn't just talking about the generally rainy climate. Lake, in town this week to discuss how…
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Blumenauer takes Congressional carbon tax helm
U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer is assuming a lead role as Congress develops carbon tax ideas. Blumenauer is one of four Democratic D.C. electeds — Rep. Henry Waxman of California, Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii…
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Energy Star ratings knock Portland down several notches
In terms of environmental stewardship, Portland is widely considered an environmental shining star. Yet in terms of its Energy Star-certified building counts, the city is just so-so. The Environmental…
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PSU researchers: Carbon tax would clean the air, bolster Oregon's budget
A Portland State University study found that carbon taxes could reduce Oregon's "distortionary income taxes," an issue that has vexed lawmakers for years, as well as provide new revenue channels. The…
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Food producers' waste diversion up 18%
A Portland group that studies the food business reports that organic food companies, in adopting a broad range of sustainablity initiatives, have dramatically boosted the amount of waste they divert from…
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Bonamici wants NOAA to save the Tillamook weather buoy
An Oregon Congressional delegation member who represents coastal Oregon communities said she’s leading the drive against the planned removal of a weather monitoring buoy. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici opposes…
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Ecova lands carbon recertification kudos
A Portland utility analysis company has again landed a prestigious sign-off from a national carbon activist. Ecova earned accreditation as a "carbon calculation partner" from the London-based Carbon Disclosure…
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Feds to restart Roan Plateau drilling study
The federal government is launching another round of studies into the hotly debated issue of whether Colorado’s Roan Plateau on the Western Slope should be opened to drilling. The new study, called…
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Climate Trust hires interim executive
The Climate Trust on Wednesday named Terry Miller as interim director of the carbon market-focused nonprofit while a search is made for a permanent executive. Ben Vitale, hired in late 2009 as The Climate…
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Membership matters
Fresh into his second term in office, President Obama has twice given environmentalists a very public glimmer of hope that meaningful climate legislation is on the horizon. The president spoke eloquently…
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Has REI shaped Jewel's views on climate change?
Tree hugger? Or exploiter of the nation’s precious natural resources? There’s lots of intrigue over what kind of Interior Secretary Sally Jewell will be now that she has been nominated by President…
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NOAA report highlights coastal climate risks
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released a report this week detailing potential climate impacts to U.S. coastal regions. A researcher from Oregon State University contributed to the…
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Oregon State to lead overhaul of marine research fleet
Oregon State University could get as much as $290 million over the next decade to design and build three coastal research ships in partnership with the National Science Foundation. The announcement —…
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Vitale out as head of The Climate Trust
Officials at The Climate Trust announced Wednesday that Ben Vitale, hired in late 2009 as president of the trust, will leave his post in order to return to the private sector. The Climate Trust, a nonprofit…
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Report: Coal export in the Northwest holds heavy CO2 emissions potential
A report commissioned by Greenpeace ranked the global energy projects by their potential to impact the climate with carbon dioxide emissions by 2020 — plans for coal export facilities in the Pacific…
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Oregon saw 54 extreme weather records broken in 2012
The Natural Resources Defense Council on Tuesday released an interactive map documenting extreme weather events in 2012 on a state-by-state level. The group found that nationwide 3,527 monthly weather…
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Seattle's green star is on the rise
The color wizards of Pantone announce a color of the year around the holidays. I have no real insight into how they make their selection, but I always get a kick out of seeing what they pick and speculating…
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Fears of climate change hit South Florida
High tides and storms created more havoc in South Florida during 2012 than many could remember in recent years, while Miami Beach and other communities began real planning for rising sea levels. Beachgoers…
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Focus on climate change could trigger energy industry shift
Suppose in the near future, emitting carbon gets a lot more expensive. It could happen if Congress ends its stalemate over global warming and passes a climate change bill that would penalize carbon pollution.…
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