Recent News Releases

Discharge Petition for BPA-Free Baby Bill Falls Short

“It’s disappointing that a bill which guarantees all baby bottles, sippy cups and sports water bottles sold in Oregon are BPA free and has the support of 75% of Oregonians polled is having such a hard time passing,” said Renee Hackenmiller-Paradis, PhD, MPH, Oregon Environmental Council. “With only weeks left in the legislative session, it is crucial that our representatives step up and restore consumer confidence in the marketplace in the name of healthier homes and healthier babies."

Oregon Environmental Council Announces Legislative Priorities for Oregon’s 2009 Legislative Session

 

Second Annual Consumer Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Toys to be Released for 2008 Holiday Shopping Season

 

Oregon Environmental Council Presents ‘Cutting Carbs’: a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Workshop for Transportation Professionals

On Wednesday, December 3rd, the Oregon Environmental Council will host Cutting Carbs – A Professional Development Workshop for Transportation Professionals on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Local Food Workshop to Connect Central Oregon Producers with Area Chefs, Grocers, and Food Distributors

 

Consumer, Environmental Advocates Available to Comment on Sept. 23 Release of Final Western Climate Initiative Recommendations

On Tuesday Sept. 23, the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) will release its final proposal for a market-based, regional cap-and-trade system that aims to reduce global warming pollution.

Future of Energy and Oregon Environmental Council to Host Portland’s Future of Energy and Sustainability Forum

 

School Lunches Made Healthy, Safe and Easy by the Oregon Environmental Council

 

Oregon Environmental Council to Celebrate 40th Anniversary at Event in Portland, September 12

 

Western Climate Initiative Draft Plan for Reducing Global Warming Pollution to be Released Wednesday, July 23

 

American West Heating Faster Than Rest of World, New Analysis Shows

 

Oregon Environmental Council to Present ‘New Market Opportunities for Central Oregon Food and Farm Businesses’ Workshop in Bend

 

2008 Oregon Environmental Council Business Forum Series to Highlight the Advantages of Sustainability to Oregon Commerce

 

Unusual Alliance Backs Clean Energy Plan for Oregon

 

Oregon Environmental Council to Host “Drop Your Toxic Plastics Day” in Salem

 

Oregon Environmental Council and Partners to Present Low Impact Development Workshops in Southern Oregon and Lane County

 

Oregon House Moves to Protect State's Children from Diesel Exposure with Passage of 'Healthy School Bus Bill'

 

Oregon House of Representatives Approves Bill to Protect Oregonians from Volatile Fuel Prices and Reduce Global Warming Pollution

 

Integrated Pest Management Bill for Oregon's Schools Approved by Senate

 

Transportation Package Fails to Lower Transportation Costs, Will Increase Sprawl

 

Oregon Environmental Council and OSU Extension to Host Rain Garden Training Workshop in Eugene

 

School Bus Diesel Retrofits Approved by Legislature

 

Legislature Approves Integrated Pest Management for Oregon Schools

 

Program Matching Farmers to Local Businesses Launched by Oregon Environmental Council

 

Legislature approves bill to trim the carbon content of Oregon's transportation fuels by 10 percent

 

Oregon Association of Nurseries and Oregon Environmental Council to announce Climate Friendly Nurseries project launch

 

First of its kind Climate Friendly Nurseries project launched in Oregon

 

Oregon Environmental Council to host series of ‘Stormwater Solutions’ workshops for the Willamette Valley

 

New database on toxic chemicals in everyday products reveals lead, arsenic, PVC, and hazardous flame retardants in school supplies, cars, pet products, and more

 

Portland drivers to "Drive Green and Clean" beginning in October as part of National Car Care Month

 

Two Oregon cranberry farms partner in new business venture, earn Food Alliance certification, and wade into direct sales marketplace

As cranberry harvest begins on Oregon's South Coast this week, two farming families will wade into their bogs together as the founding members of Clearwater Cranberries, LLC. Clearwater Cranberries is a collaborative of independent, family-owned cranberry growers who are on a mission to demonstrate that premium cranberries, watershed stewardship, and sustainable farming practices will hit a sweet spot with local restaurants, foodservice, ingredient and grocery buyers who are interested in conscientiously-grown cranberries.

Portland babies to participate in Million Baby Crawl to demand stronger protection from toxic chemicals in their homes

Hundreds of moms and their babies, including local dignitaries are taking part in Portland's "Crawl to Action" event as part of a national initiative called the Million Baby Crawl to encourage Congress to overhaul our nation's toxics policy.

Oregon Environmental Council to host 'Cutting Carbs' - a series of transportation-related greenhouse gas reduction workshops

Transportation experts will explore the leading edge of incorporating greenhouse gas considerations into transportation planning and land use planning for Oregon's growing urban areas

Oregon groups, legislators support new FDA guidelines on reducing exposure to bisphenol A

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced guidelines and concerns for bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical present in many hard plastic bottles and metal-based food and beverage cans.

Oregon Senate rejects bill to ban bisphenol A in children’s products

By a vote of 15 to 15, the Oregon Senate today rejected a bill that would have protected Oregon’s children from exposure to bisphenol A (BPA).

Burgerville Names Oregon Environmental Council’s Allison Hensey a Community Champion and Launches New Sandwich to Benefit Her Program

Burgerville’s new “Roasted Turkey and Cherry Chutney Wrap” will raise money for the pioneering work done by Oregon Environmental Council’s Food and Farms program.

New Easy-to-Use Free Booklet Helps Oregonians Assess How Healthy Their Homes Are

The Eco-Healthy Homes Checkup Kit, a free 24-page booklet, helps Oregonians systematically assess how healthy their homes are and provides easy, inexpensive ways they can improve the environmental health problems they uncover.

New Best Management Practices for Climate Friendly Nurseries Helps Oregon Nurseries Boost Efficiency—and Their Bottom Line

The Best Management Practices for Climate Friendly Nurseries will help growers of Oregon’s largest agricultural commodity use energy and other resources more efficiently so that they can increase profitability and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Oregon Environmental Council’s Successful Eco-Healthy Child Care Program Becomes National Organization

The two premier programs to improve environmental-health standards at child-care facilities merge to form a national program.

New Love Your River Campaign Helps Oregonians Make Easy, Low-Cost Changes to Tackle Local Water Pollution

Oregon Environmental Council launches a new online campaign today at LoveYourRiver.org, to help Oregonians understand how making a few simple changes can keep pollution out of the waters we all love.

Closing Down Boardman the Best Way Possible

This past week, OEC joined other public-interest organizations to take a few steps forward to break the stalemate between PGE and DEQ. As a group, we made an agreement with PGE that will ensure an early closure of its Boardman coal plant. 

Senate Hearing on BPA Ban Tomorrow

Media Advisory for first public hearing in the Oregon Senate on SB 695, the BPA-Free Baby bill, banning bisphenol A in children's food and drink containers.

Message in a Bottle: BPA in Baby Products Still Lurks on Oregon Shelves

 

Discharge Petition in Play to Safeguard Children’s Health

Oregon Environmental Council commends Representative Ben Cannon for working to ensure that each and every Oregon legislator has a chance to weigh in on Senate Bill 695, legislation that would protect children’s health by banning the sale of baby bottles, sippy cups and reusable water bottles that contain the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA).

Peer-to-Peer Car-Sharing Could Flourish Under New Legislation

Oregon Environmental Council commends Representative Cannon and Senator Dingfelder for championing House Bill 3149, legislation that clears legal barriers to peer-to-peer car-sharing in Oregon. House Bill 3149 passed the House 47-10 on March 21, passed the Senate 25-3 today, and now—because it was amended in the Senate—returns to the House for concurrence.

BPA-Free Bill Has New Life

House Bill 3689, a revised version of Senate Bill 695 that protects Oregon’s children from toxic chemicals, has new life.

Cool Schools Bill To Create Smarter, Healthier Classrooms

Cool Schools bill expected to result in immediate job creation as well as healthier classrooms, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and millions of dollars in energy savings throughout the state for years to come.

Children’s Health Bill Falls Victim to Oregon Politics

Parents, health officials and environmental advocates today expressed great dismay that the Oregon House of Representatives failed to move SB 695 through the House committee process, stalling the bill which would ban the sale of baby bottles and sippy cups made with bisphenol A (BPA), ensure that WIC infant formula is BPA-free, and set in motion a process to create a voluntary certified BPA-Free label for canned food sold in Oregon.

Oregon Environmental Council Hosts September ‘Stormwater Solutions’ Workshops in Bend

Oregon Environmental Council and its partners are hosting a series of Stormwater Solutions workshops in Central Oregon this fall, starting with two this September in Bend...

Report Today Reveals BPA in Kids’ Canned Foods

Today's study by the Breast Cancer Fund revealed the toxic chemical BPA in popular canned foods marketed towards children...

Multnomah County Proposes BPA-Ban

Multnomah County will be voting on a countrywide ban on bisphenol A in baby bottles, sippy cups and sports water bottles October 27.

BPA-Ban Passed in Multnomah County

Today Multnomah County unanimously passed a countrywide ban on the toxic chemical bisphenol A in baby bottles, sippy cups, sports water bottles and thermoses.

Oregon Women Exposed Daily to Unregulated Toxic Chemicals in Personal Care Products

A report released today finds Oregon women are exposed to a range of toxic chemicals every day through the use of personal care products largely unregulated for safety.

Tips to Green Up Your Holiday Season

Make your holidays a little more eco-friendly with these practical tips for shopping, gift-giving and celebrating.

Efficiency Improvements Needed to Stretch Oregon’s Limited Water Resources, According to New Report

A new report from OEC, Making Water Work, says that improving water efficiency in agriculture will be critical for maximizing Oregon’s increasingly limited water supply.

Media Advisory: Northwest Health Conference Tackles Obesogens, Farm Subsidies, Environmental Toxics on Friday, Feb. 10

200+ of the leading scientists, researchers and health professionals come together to explore the links between the environment, health and healthcare practices February 10 in Portland.