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Environment
Posted inNews

Initiative to Divert Clean Energy Funds to Cops Moves Ahead Under Constrained Timeline

A judge ruled largely in favor of the police union-backed initiative, but its future remains unclear.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Last week, a Multnomah County judge ruled largely in favor of the Portlanders backing an initiative petition seeking to divert a portion of the city’s clean energy fund to police. But the future of the effort to tap the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) for police hiring remains unclear, with people on both […]

Posted inNews

Oregon’s Wildlife is at Risk. Increasing the State’s Lodging Tax Could Help

A bill to raise Oregon’s lodging tax by 1.25 percent to benefit threatened animal species passed the House and now awaits a Senate vote.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Oregon lawmakers have advanced a bill to boost funding for wildlife conservation efforts and help protect the state’s most imperiled species.  House Bill 4134, also known as the 1.25 Percent for Wildlife bill, would increase the state’s lodging tax to 2.75 percent, directing most of the additional revenue to the Oregon Department of Fish and […]

Posted inNews

Amid Grim Outlook for National Climate Investments, Portland’s Clean Energy Fund Doles Out Nearly $64 Million

PCEF awarded grants to 59 local nonprofits for climate projects. The news comes as the well-endowed program is at risk of being tapped for other city priorities.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

It’s been a tough year for climate work around the country, with the Trump administration slashing funding for programs intended to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the threats of the climate crisis. But Portland has a secret weapon for local environmental action: The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, also known as PCEF. To date, […]

Posted inOpinion

An Amphibian Resistance

There’s a movement leaping into action through Portland’s inflatable frog protest mascots. Their real-life amphibian counterparts are resisters, too, but they need our help. 
Avatar photo Suze Wehr

Earlier this month, the image of a courageous inflatable frog standing alone before militarized law enforcement during a protest at Portland’s ICE facility filled the newsfeeds of folks in Oregon (and around the world). Bright green and wide-eyed, the peaceful demonstrator embraced the power of contrast, cartoonishly innocent in the face of weaponized government overreach. […]

Posted inNews

Zenith Energy Legal Fight Highlights Gaps in Portland’s Environmental Guardrails

Climate activists say the city has little authority to enforce restrictions it imposed on a controversial oil transport operation.
Avatar photo Abe Asher

When the city of Portland permitted Zenith Energy to continue operating its fuel transport and storage facility in Northwest Portland three years ago, it did so on several conditions designed to limit potential harms to the environment.  The land use compatibility statement issued by the city requires Zenith to phase out its use of crude […]

Posted inNews

Updated: County Declares Emergency as Portland Faces Dangerous, Extended Heat Wave

Multnomah County will open two daytime cooling centers and extend hours at three libraries. 
Avatar photo Mercury Staff

Update: 11:45, Monday, August 25: Multnomah County announced it won’t reopen cooling centers today, as temperatures have fallen below emergency thresholds. The forecast still predicts hot weather (low 90s) through Tuesday evening, so health officials advise people to maintain heat precautions, especially those particularly susceptible to heat-related illness.  Update: Noon, Sunday, August 24: Multnomah County’s […]

Posted inNews

Updated: The Willamette River is Swimmable Again, Health Officials Say

The Oregon Health Authority has lifted its advisory against recreating on the river, issued last week due to a toxic algae bloom.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Update August 19, 2025: The Oregon Health Authority lifted its advisory warning of a harmful algal bloom on the Willamette River, stating “water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Ross Island Lagoon and the Willamette River…are below recreational guideline values for people.” OHA continues to advise people be “alert to signs of […]

Posted inNews

For a Glimpse Into Portland’s Thriving Future, Look to the River

After years of dedicated advocacy, Portland is getting on board with being a “swimmable city.”
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

“Everything exciting and imaginative that’s happening in Portland right now seems to be touching the river.”  That assessment comes from Willie Levenson, who may be biased, considering he’s spent the better part of two decades working to change Portland’s relationship with the Willamette River through his organization, Human Access Project. But his analysis rings true. […]

Posted inNews

At This Cully Church, an Unwanted Parking Lot Is Now a Garden Refuge

Portland nonprofit Depave led the effort to transform a slab of blacktop behind a church into a thriving green space. The city’s zoning code didn’t make it easy. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church had a pavement problem. The church, located in Northeast Portland’s Cully neighborhood, was surrounded with space for car parking—well beyond what congregants needed or wanted. And the excess blacktop had consequences.  In the summer, the unused parking lot on the south side of the church trapped and radiated heat into […]

Posted inNews

After Manufacturer Backlash, DEQ Delays Clean Truck Rule

Enforcement of the Advanced Clean Truck rule, intended to reduce diesel emissions in Oregon, has been delayed until 2027. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Oregon’s attempts to curtail diesel emissions are in jeopardy following a state decision to delay enforcement of the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule until 2027.  The ACT rule, which was approved by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Commission in 2021, seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from high-polluting diesel engines by requiring truck […]

Posted inNews

Councilor Mitch Green Suggests Borrowing Money from PCEF to Fund Parks

Green’s proposal comes as Mayor Keith Wilson floats deep cuts to Portland Parks & Recreation to fill a budget shortfall. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

As Portland leaders grapple with a major citywide budget shortfall, some have sought potential relief from one of the city’s most prosperous initiatives—the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF). The fund, which collects a 1 percent tax on local sales at large retailers to pay for carbon reduction projects, has found major financial success […]

Posted inMusic

Fans of PDX’s Upgrade, Mass Timber, and Sustainability Just Got a New Anthem!

DJ Avelanche’s fire video for “PDX (Wooden Roof)” is a fun who’s who of Portland hip-hop 
Avatar photo Jenni Moore

It’s no secret that Portlanders are really really proud of Portland International Airport, to the point that the city has become synonymous with PDX (our airport’s code). And let’s be honest, the obsession is warranted. In fact, I challenge anyone to show me a cooler, prettier, or more pleasant airport in the United States of […]

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