Oregon

Governor and Attorney General urge Obama Administration to support 9th Circuit Court Decision

Oct. 6, 2009 -- (Salem) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski and Attorney General John Kroger announced today that they sent letters urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Justice to pursue a legal strategy that supports the Clinton-era Roadless Rule to protect pristine wilderness areas.

“The Roadless Rule provides important protections to special places across our country,” Governor Ted Kulongoski said. “I hope we can end this cycle of litigation and implement the Clinton Roadless Rule as originally intended and applied nationwide.”    » read more »

Bill Includes Funding for Oregon National Guard Reintegration Program

October 7, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – The United States Senate last night passed the fiscal year 2010 Department of Defense appropriations bill, which includes over $60 million for Oregon projects. Included at the request of Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, these projects will provide research and development of clean energy technologies, equipment to help ensure military personnel land aircraft safely in severe weather conditions, and updated data and voice communications systems.

The bill also includes funding for the Oregon National Guard Reintegration Program, which helps soldiers transition back to civilian life.    » read more »

Funding for Idaho, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Dakota and the U.S. Virgin Islands to create jobs, reduce energy use

October 1, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that nearly $72 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is being awarded to 7 states and territories to support energy efficiency and conservation activities.

Under DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, these states will implement programs that lower energy use, reduce carbon pollution, and create green jobs locally.    » read more »

More than $1.7 million will help expand the Oregon Solar Highway Project

Oct. 1, 2009 -- (SALEM) — The U.S. Department of Energy announced today that Oregon will receive more than $9.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funding to support energy efficiency and conservation activities across the state. This funding is part of the state’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program for cities and counties to establish efficiency and conservations projects in their communities.

The EECBG program is administered by the U.S. Department of Energy. Under the program, the state will deploy energy-efficiency, conservation and renewable energy projects in the building, institutional, commercial, transportation and public sectors.    » read more »

Violent and property crimes down between 2007-2008

September 14, 2009 -- (Salem) - “Today’s FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Data is good news for Oregon.

“Last year Oregon had the largest decrease of any state in our violent crime rate and the eighth largest decrease in the property crime rate – and these declines reached across urban and rural boundaries.

“I appreciate the work of our law enforcement, educators and local leaders who work everyday to help keep our communities safe, and clearly with today’s report, their hard work is delivering results with the lowest violent and property crime rates in nearly four decades.    » read more »

September 14, 2009 -- (Salem) - “Today’s employment report is further evidence that any early signs of economic recovery will likely be accompanied by some employment rate instability, requiring all levels of government to continue to act with prudence and caution.

“As Governor my focus remains on helping those families seeking employment make ends meet during these difficult times while also working to create new employment opportunities across the state.

“The legislature and I recognized that beginning this fall some Oregonians would exhaust their unemployment benefits, which is why I approved a short state funded extension of benefits to run until January 2010.    » read more »

Governor awards $100,000 to Ashland electric motorcycle company

August 31, 2009 -- (Ashland) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today toured two start-up electric vehicle companies in southern Oregon as part of his initiative to transition the state toward cleaner, more sustainable transportation options.

While visiting Brammo, Inc., an electric motorcycle company headquartered in Ashland, the Governor announced a $100,000 grant from his Strategic Reserve Fund for workforce training to assist the company in growing their workforce by more than 300 employees over the next two years.    » read more »

New waiver clears the way for Oregon and other states to implement tailpipe emission standards

June 30, 2009 -- (Salem) – “Today, the Environmental Protection Agency issued California a waiver to implement its clean tailpipe standard – a victory for California, Oregon and the other states that have also adopted stronger tailpipe emissions standards.

“I applaud President Obama and Secretary Jackson for their leadership in realigning the federal government’s priorities around combating global warming and doing so in a spirit of cooperation with the states rather than conflict. I also applaud California for paving the way for states to adopt the clean tailpipe standards.    » read more »

Governor believes state must maintain reserves during period of economic uncertainty

June 23, 2009 -- (Salem) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today vetoed the legislature’s decision to raid the state reserve funds, putting the economic and financial stability of the state at risk. The veto follows months of public statements and letters from the Governor expressing his position that the state should maintain a fiscally responsible level of reserve funds during this period of record unemployment and economic uncertainty.    » read more »

"Merkley supports legislation to preserve the Oregon Caves National Monument and the Devil’s Staircase"

June 22, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley has co-sponsored legislation to protect some of Oregon’s most scenic natural areas while helping boost local tourism and increase recreation opportunities. The legislation would expand the protection of the Oregon Caves National Monument and some of Oregon’s ancient old growth forest situated along the Oregon Coast.    » read more »

June 15, 2009 -- (Salem) – “Today’s employment report reaffirms what we already know: thousands of Oregonians are out of work, seeking employment and need a job.

“To that end, I urge the legislature to pass the Emergency Jobs and Training Act I introduced last week – which will create thousands of jobs this summer and help Oregonians improve their skills through training programs and post-secondary education opportunities.

“The legislature has already passed a monumental transportation package, which coupled with federal investments, will support more than 7000 jobs statewide, and thousands of more jobs will be created through strategic investments in capital construction projects under consideration by the legislature right now.    » read more »

Senators Wyden, Merkley Announce $15 million in Recovery Package Funding for Low-Income Weatherization Programs

June 8, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Continuing efforts to make sure low-income Oregonians have safely heated and more energy efficient homes, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced today that Oregon’s Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Programs (WAP) will receive more than $15 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“This economic recovery funding will put folks back to work the right way," said Wyden. "We are going to do well by doing good by boosting energy conservation, with the added benefit of helping our economy rebound.”    » read more »

June 9, 2009 -- (Salem) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski announced today that Oregon has received $15.4 million, 40 percent of its federal stimulus allocation, for weatherizing eligible low- and medium-income homes, creating at least 230 direct jobs throughout the state.

“I am proud to announce that Oregon is among the first four states to receive federal weatherization dollars,” Governor Kulongoski said. “We were among the first in line because of the tireless work of state energy policy experts, and their prompt efforts will put hundreds of Oregonians to work.”    » read more »

Recovery Act funding for Arizona, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oregon to expand state weatherization assistance programs and create jobs

June 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the transfer of nearly $80 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Arizona, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oregon to expand state weatherization assistance programs.

After submitting their comprehensive state weatherization plans that were due on May 12, these states are now receiving 40 percent of the total funding previously authorized under the legislation. Today’s announcement represents the next step in the Obama Administration’s efforts to promote energy efficiency, lower energy costs, and help support new jobs.    » read more »

June 8, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Continuing efforts to make sure low-income Oregonians have safely heated and more energy efficient homes, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced today that Oregon’s Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Programs (WAP) will receive more than $15 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“This economic recovery funding from will put folks back to work the right way," said Wyden. "We are going to do well by doing good by boosting energy conservation, with the added benefit of helping our economy rebound.”    » read more »