| Spotlight on Oil-by-Rail Terminal Spring is in the air, and if Zenith Energy gets its way, so is more pollution. A recent in-depth story in The Oregonian highlights Houston-based Zenith’s dangerous plans to expand its operations. Learn the latest on how you can advocate for clean air and climate action. |
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| Double Your Impact Thanks to a generous partner, new and increased donations to Columbia Riverkeeper will be matched dollar for dollar up to $10,000. Stop toxic pollution and protect clean water. You are making a difference for the Columbia’s iconic salmon, the cultures, and the people who rely on them. |
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| Climate Victory! Columbia Riverkeeper teams with Tribes, nonprofits, and people across the State of Oregon to advocate for a just transition from fossil fuels. In a recent win, the Oregon Public Utility Commission rejected all three Oregon gas utilities' long term emission-reduction plans and directed them to evaluate electrification. This move is part of a broader effort to transition away from fossil fuels and towards cleaner energy sources. |
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| Celebrate Earth Day in the Gorge Gather your friends and family on Saturday, April 20 in Hood River to help beautify the river and create room for healthy and diverse riparian habitat. The event includes a river cleanup and invasive weed pull at the Nichols Natural Area near the Hood River Waterfront. |
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| Delays at Mid-Columbia Cleanup Site It’s been two years since Bradford Island and surrounding waters of the Columbia were listed as a Superfund cleanup site—and we’re still waiting for cleanup to begin. Meanwhile, the contamination in the area continues to pose a significant threat to the river, resident fish and wildlife, and people’s health. Behind the scenes, agencies have been working to finalize an agreement to jumpstart cleanup. |
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| Partner Spotlight: CRITFC The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) was recently selected as one of the 40 Energy Future Grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy. This funding will support “Modeling for a Salmon-Friendly Energy Transition.” The project from the Tribal Energy Vision offers recommendations to federal, tribal, and state agencies; hydropower operators and public utilities; and private electricity consumers with a path to make an energy transition that helps address climate change in a way that doesn’t negatively impact salmon or the Tribal cultures that rely on them. |
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| | | | Events and Engagement: - Oregon Congressional District 3 Candidate Forum: April 20, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., Portland, Oregon, and online. After 28 years of representing Oregon’s third congressional district, Representative Earl Blumenauer is retiring. The race is on to represent this district along the Columbia River, which includes most of Multnomah County, parts of Clackamas County, and Hood River county. Join Columbia Riverkeeper and our many partner organizations to hear from the candidates for this important open seat. Candidates will be sharing their perspectives and policy priorities relating to environmental and climate justice. Don’t miss this opportunity to ask your pressing questions of the candidates. *This is a nonpartisan event; Columbia Riverkeeper is a 501(c)3 organization and does not endorse any candidates for elected office.
- Webinar "The Science of Methane Gas from Reservoirs: Rethinking Hydropower's Carbon-free Image" May 2, 2024, at 12 p.m. Large reservoirs can release significant amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Dr. John Harrison of Washington State University will describe his groundbreaking field work to sample and quantify methane emissions from Northwest reservoirs. Columbia Riverkeeper Legal Director Miles Johnson will also examine how reservoir methane emissions challenge the narrative that hydropower gives us climate-friendly electricity.
- Save the Date: “Gaining Ground” documentary by Barbara Bernstein, showing at The Columbian Theater, in Astoria, Oregon, on May 31, 2024.
- Come Join Our Team: Job post now - April 22, 2024. We’re hiring a Database & IT Specialist to level up Columbia Riverkeeper's database management while anticipating and addressing IT issues.
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| | News and Resources - Watch “Charismatic Crustaceans: What Columbia River Crayfish Can Teach Us” webinar recording featuring Columbia Riverkeeper’s Water Quality Director Lorri Epstein and Dr. Alan Kolok. They discuss community-based, participatory science and dive into how researchers use crayfish to better understand water quality and impacts of toxic pollution.
- Watch “Investigative Journalist Breaks Down Hanford: A Conversation with Joshua Frank” webinar recording. Columbia Riverkeeper’s Staff Attorney & Hanford Director Simone Anter and Program Coordinator Esteban Ortiz interview award-winning author Joshua Frank whose book, "Atomic Days, The Untold Story of the Most Toxic Place in America," features the Hanford Nuclear Site.
- Speaker Series event, "Stories from Salmon People," hosted by the Salmon Orca Project, featuring Silas Whitman and Dan Kane (watch recording).
- Zenith likely to expand, continue to store volatile fuels in Portland even as it cuts crude oil, The Oregonian, April 8, 2024.
- Neighbors call on state commission to intervene in Zenith Energy plans, Portland Tribune, April 8, 2024
- Editorial: Small nuclear plants may be key to state’s energy mix, The Everett Herald, April 2, 2024.
- WA governor urged to veto $25M for nuclear power project, Washington State Standard, March 27, 2024
- Portland Elections Office Finds Zenith Energy Violated City Lobbying Rules, Portland Mercury, March 26, 2024
- A return after seven decades: Inside the Yakama Nation’s elk hunt on the Hanford Reach, NWPB, March 21, 2024
- Developing: NXTClean Fuels asks port for rent reduction, The Chronicle, March 19, 2024
- Salmon Wars episode 2: The treaties, OPB, March 13, 2024, featuring Columbia Riverkeeper Board President Emily Washines
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