The carbon pollution in our atmosphere from burning fossil fuels like oil and coal is waging a direct and unchecked assault on our farming, fishing and forests – the cornerstones of Oregon’s rural economy.
When Jeff was young, his dad worked as a millwright. He spent his childhood in Southern Oregon timber communities, where timber jobs were what put food on the table and kept roofs over folks’ head. Fires and insect infestations are already killing trees at alarming rates across the Northwest, and climate change will only make these threats to our forests worse. Other iconic Oregon industries like our coastal oyster hatcheries are threatened by ocean acidification, and fishing and farming alike are facing threats from declining snowpacks and increased drought.
Congress needs to wake up. Climate change is real, and it’s bad for our economy and jobs, especially in rural Oregon and the places that most depend on our abundant natural resources.
Wyden, Merkley Announce NOAA Recommendations for Oregon Fish Passage Projects
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries’ recommendations for Oregon fish passage projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. “Salmon and other native fish are so central to our culture and economies here
Merkley: Water Infrastructure Bill is Strong Investment in Oregon’s Future
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today announced the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee. WRDA is critical, bipartisan legislation that authorizes US Army Corp of Engineers’ (USACE) projects throughout the country. These projects maintain Oregon’s
Wyden, Merkley: NOAA Selects OMSI as Regional/National Heat Monitoring Center
Washington D.C.— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in Portland will be NOAA’s Pacific Northwest hub for the Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring, gathering local temperature data to support heat resilience in Oregon and throughout the country. “As the climate
Merkley, Wyden Celebrate $24 Million Coming to Oregon to Strengthen and Defend Communities from Wildfire Threats
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service (USFS) is investing $24,063,442 in 13 projects across Oregon to make at-risk communities’ homes, businesses, and infrastructure more resilient to wildfires. This funding allocation is part of the Community Wildfire Defense
Merkley, Schakowsky Lead 24 Senate & House Lawmakers to Urge U.S. to Curb Oil & Gas Influence at COP29
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) led their colleagues today in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House Senior Advisor John Podesta calling for the United States to support the development and adoption of conflict of interest
Wyden, Merkley: Lane and Douglas Counties to Receive Vital Drought Resiliency Investments
Bureau of Reclamation Funds Two Oregon Projects Under its WaterSMART Program Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced Douglas and Lane counties will receive $1.22 million and $4 million, respectively, in drought resiliency funding as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. “In
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