On this day, July 27, 2020, the mayors of Portland, Oregon, and five other major US cities appealed to Congress to make it illegal for the federal government to deploy militarized agents to cities that don't want their presence.
Also on this day, July 27, 2020, US agents declared an unlawful assembly, and just after 1 a.m., confronted protesters on the street and worked for hours to clear the area. Several people were seen being detained, but it was not immediately clear how many may were arrested.
Also on this day, June 27, 1859 US General William S. Harney sent troops to San Juan island -- in what is now Washington State -- to face the British in the Pig War, which was a dispute started by a British pig eating potatoes out of an American farmer's field.
Electrify is Federal answer to air quality
Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that Klamath County Public Health and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation have secured a combined $5.1 million in federal funds for air quality. This follows a $1 million grant received in August 2022 to
Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls to monitor air quality and improve health outcomes in wildfire-prone Southern Oregon. Now the move is to align with the Green New Deal and electrify homes that are heating with free wood.
The $4.67 million from the Environmental Protection Agency will go to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to partner with Klamath County Public Health, allowing the two agencies to change out around 300 woodstoves and weatherize 100 houses in Klamath County, with a focus on improving services to underserved populations who rely on wood for heat. As part of the $4.67 million, $323,630 in utility assistance will be granted to low-income applicants who change out their woodstoves through the program.
An additional $451,250 in EPA funding will go to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation for air quality monitoring.
“This federal investment packs a one-two punch because it improves overall air quality and helps Oregonians get efficient heat sources to replace their wood-burning units,” Wyden said. “That adds up to a huge win for quality of life in Klamath County as well as for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.”
“These critical investments will be used to help ensure folks in Klamath County and on the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation have the support and innovation to better monitor and improve air quality,” said Senator Merkley. “Air pollution often goes unnoticed, but can contribute greatly to chronic health conditions. This funding will help improve health outcomes and quality of life for thousands of Oregonians."
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
“Air quality is an area of public health that requires our constant attention and intention,” said Jennifer Little, director of Klamath County Public Health. “We’ve had two diligent partners in working toward better air for everyone in the DEQ and South Central Oregon Economic Development District. This grant also includes a new element with Klamath Lake Community Action Services, which is an exciting addition to the ongoing work. Our community is better for the work of each and our continued partnership.”
Removing woodburning stoves may contribute to air quality in the winter, but the greatest impact is summer wildfires and federal prescribed burns in the heat.
--Donna Bleiler| Post Date: 2023-11-08 23:41:11 | Last Update: 2023-11-08 23:54:13 |
