La contaminación de carbono en nuestra atmósfera por la quema de combustibles fósiles como el petróleo y el carbón está librando un ataque directo y descontrolado a nuestra agricultura, pesca y bosques, las piedras angulares de la economía rural de Oregón.
Cuando Jeff era joven, su padre trabajaba como constructor de molinos. Pasó su infancia en las comunidades madereras del sur de Oregón, donde los trabajos madereros ponían comida en la mesa y mantenían los techos sobre las cabezas de la gente. Los incendios y las infestaciones de insectos ya están matando árboles a un ritmo alarmante en todo el noroeste, y el cambio climático solo empeorará estas amenazas para nuestros bosques. Otras industrias icónicas de Oregón, como nuestros criaderos de ostras costeros, están amenazadas por la acidificación del océano, y tanto la pesca como la agricultura enfrentan amenazas por la disminución de las capas de nieve y el aumento de la sequía.
El Congreso necesita despertar. El cambio climático es real y es malo para nuestra economía y empleos, especialmente en las zonas rurales de Oregón y los lugares que más dependen de nuestros abundantes recursos naturales.
Merkley, Colleagues Launch Effort to Increase Charging Stations at Highway Rest Areas
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—along with Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ron Wyden (D-OR)—introduced the Recharge your Electric Car on the Highway to Alleviate Range Gaps Effectively (RECHARGE) Act. Currently, locations for electrical vehicle (EV) charging stations along interstate highways are limited by federal law
Merkley, Wyden Announce $900,000 Grant to Improve Water Quality and Strengthen Habitats in the Lower Columbia River
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership (LCEP) $909,000 for the implementation of their Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). The CCMP aims to improve water quality, protect natural habitats,
Merkley, Wyden Announced $577,943 for Pollution Monitoring to the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding $577,943 to the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) for programs to address environmental and public health concerns related to pollution. “Communities need accurate information
Merkley, Wyden Join Effort to Restore the Chevron Doctrine Following MAGA Supreme Court Ruling
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined the recently introduced Stop Corporate Capture Act after the Supreme Court—stacked with Trump-appointed justices—overturned the 40-year-old Chevron doctrine. The bill codifies Chevron deference and strengthens the rulemaking process to block corporations from hijacking our government. “This MAGA Supreme
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $2 Million for Portland State University to Curb Marine Microplastics in Coastal Tourism
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that Portland State University (PSU) is receiving $1,976,806 from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through the Sea Grant Marine Debris Challenge Competition. The federal funding will support PSU’s efforts
Merkley Announces Key Committee Action to Boost Oregon’s Wildfire Resiliency, Water Infrastructure, and Climate Investments Under his Chairmanship
As chair of a key Senate Appropriations subcommittee, Merkley wrote the fiscal year 2025 Interior-Environment spending bill to fund top Oregon priorities, including essential community-initiated projects across the state. Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—as Chair of the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee—announced he secured critical investments to strengthen forest health and