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Washington County Fair
Friday, July 19, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.bigfairfun.com/
July 19-28
Washington County Fairgrounds - Westside Commons



Coos County Fair
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.cooscountyfair.com
July 23-27
Coos County Fairgrounds



Curry County Fair
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.eventcenteronthebeach.com
July 24-27
Curry County Fairgrounds - Event Center on the Beach



Hood River County Fair
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.hoodriverfairgrounds.com
July 24-27
Hood River County Fairgrounds



Jefferson County Fair
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.jcfair.fun
July 24-27
Jefferson County Fair Complex



Lane County Fair
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.atthefair.com
July 24-28
Lane Events Center



TRUMP TRAIN RALLY
Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 12:00 pm
ALL ABOARD THE LINN COUNTY TRUMP TRAIN! Tail gate BBQ / Guest Speakers / Meet and Greet This is a non-partisan event. All Trump Supporters are welcome THE RIDE STARTS approximately 1:30PM ROUTE: to be determined Presented with local sponsorship by Linn County Conservative Alliance Trump, patriot, Americana, caps,flags, t-shirts and other merchandise available on-site. Profits support conservative and traditional values candidates. https://indd.adobe.com/view/902ce3bb-72b5-4f03-9c74-b71fcdbb6aad
Location: Linn County Fair / Expo parking lot. 3700 Knox Butte Road E. Albany, OR 97322



TRUMP TRAIN RALLY
Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 12:00 pm
ALL ABOARD THE LINN COUNTY TRUMP TRAIN! Tail gate BBQ / Guest Speakers / Meet and Greet This is a non-partisan event. All Trump Supporters are welcome THE RIDE STARTS approximately 1:30PM ROUTE: to be determined Presented with local sponsorship by Linn County Conservative Alliance Trump, patriot, Americana, caps,flags, t-shirts and other merchandise available on-site. Profits support conservative and traditional values candidates. https://indd.adobe.com/view/902ce3bb-72b5-4f03-9c74-b71fcdbb6aad
Location: Linn County Fair / Expo parking lot. 3700 Knox Butte Road E. Albany, OR 97322



Clatsop County Fair
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://clatsopcofair.com/
July 30 - August 3
Clatsop County Fair & Expo



Malheur County Fair
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.malheurcountyfair.com
July 30 - August 3
Malheur County Fairgrounds - Desert Sage Event Center



Benton County Fair & Rodeo
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 8:00 am
bceventcentercorvallis.net
July 31 - August 3, 2024
Benton County Event Center & Fairgrounds



Deschutes County Fair
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://expo.deschutes.org/
July 31 - August 4
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center



Union County Fair
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.unioncountyfair.org
July 31 - August 3
Union County Fairgrounds



Yamhill County Fair
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.co.yamhill.or.us/fair
July 31 - August 3
Yamhill County Fairgrounds



Klamath County Fair
Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.klamathcountyfair.com/
August 1-4
Klamath County Fair



Wallowa County Fair
Friday, August 2, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://co.wallowa.or.us/community-services/county-fair/
August 2-10
Wallowa County Fairgrounds



Baker County Fair
Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.bakerfair.com
August 4-9
Baker County Fairgrounds



Harney County Fair
Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.harneyfairgrounds.com
August 4-9
Harney County Fairgrounds



Sherman County Fair
Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.shermancountyfairfun.com
August 19-24
Sherman County Fairgrounds



Crook County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.crookcountyfairgrounds.com
August 7-10
Crook County Fairgrounds



Douglas County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.douglasfairgrounds.com
August 7-10
Douglas County Fairgrounds Complex



Grant County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.grantcountyoregon.net
August 7-10
Grant County Fairgrounds



Josephine County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.josephinecountyfairgrounds.com/
August 7-11
Josephine County Fairgrounds & Events Center



Polk County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.co.polk.or.us/fair
August 7-10
Polk County Fairgrounds



Tillamook County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.tillamookfair.com
August 7-10
Tillamook County Fairgrounds



Umatilla County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.umatillacountyfair.net
August 7-10
Umatilla County Fairgrounds



Wheeler County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.wheelercountyoregon.com/fair-board
August 7-10
Wheeler County Fairgrounds



Clackamas County Fair
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 8:00 am
clackamascountyfair.com
August 13-17
Clackamas County Event Center



Morrow County Fair
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.co.morrow.or.us/fair
August 14-17
Morrow County Fairgrounds



Wasco County Fair
Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.wascocountyfair.com
August 15-17
Wasco County Fairgrounds



Gilliam County Fair
Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 8:00 am
http://www.co.gilliam.or.us/government/fairgrounds
August 29-31
Gilliam County Fairgrounds



Lake County Fair
Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.lakecountyor.org/government/fair_grounds.php
August 29 - September 1
Lake County Fairgrounds



Oregon State Fair
Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.oregonstateexpo.org
August 31 - September 9
Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center



Linn Laughs LIVE with Adam Corolla
Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Linn Laughs LIVE with Adam Corolla 5pm-9pm
Albany, OR


View All Calendar Events


Bill Protects Waterways from Toxic Pollution from Homeless Camps
Oregonians continue to be harmed by homeless camps

Senator David Brock Smith (R-Port Orford) along with 25 other legislators have filed SB 1086 that would allow residents to submit a formal complain to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) about human waste, illicit drugs, batteries and other harmful substances being dumped by homeless camps into state rivers and streams. Upon receiving the complaint, DEQ must investigate and then remove the individuals from camping site and clean camping site as necessary to protect state waters.

The one thing the nearly $200 million Affordable Housing and Emergency Homelessness Response Package doesn’t include is a requirement of social manners and civic responsibility. Giving millions to unappreciative ill-behaved adults has put a damper on taxpayer’s charitable support and SB 1086 is a step in the right direction.

“Unbridled, unregulated homeless camps along Oregon’s waterways are out of control,” said Senator Brock Smith. “The hazardous pollution to our salmonid bearing rivers and streams, and the source of drinking water for hundreds of thousands of Oregonians continues to be severely harmed by homeless camps. SB 1086 will finally allow DEQ to enforce Oregon’s environmental and water quality laws on all Oregonians, not just those who can pay a fine.”

“We can no longer wait and have this critical issue continue to harm our state waters,” said Senator Suzanne Weber (R-Tillamook). “We have agricultural, forest, and seafood operations that take great care of their land and water at great expense. Yet they continue to be the subject of environmental advocate and agency scrutiny while the same individuals look the other way as human waste, drugs, and toxic chemicals enter our community’s drinking water. It is past time they provide the equity of which they so often speak of.”

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“Having served on the County Planning Commission for years prior to my role as Representative, we have been trying to address this issue and protect our rivers and streams all that time,” said Representative Virgle Osborne (R-Roseburg). This legislation will finally bring the protections we need for our rivers and residents, while bringing accountability to the agency and advocates that have enabled these actions to occur for far too long.”

“Governor McCall forged water quality ahead for all Oregonians just over 50 years ago. I look forward to our environmental groups and democrat colleagues’ support of this critical legislation that will protect Oregon rivers, streams, and drinking water,” concluded Senator Brock Smith.

SB 1086 was referred to the Committee on Rules, which is not restricted by timelines.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-03-21 08:55:02Last Update: 2023-03-21 09:55:44



Affordable Housing and Emergency Homelessness Response Package
Will this carveout be successful without jobs?

Both Republican and Democrat caucuses have agreed to prioritize Governor Kotek’s pledge to work on homelessness this session. Governor Kotek wanted to carve out $200 million to dedicate to the cause. But will this carveout become an ongoing budgeted item? Can homelessness be reduced if you just provide shelter and not provide skills for employment?

Ways and Means passed the Affordable Housing and Emergency Homelessness Response Package. This Housing Package includes HB 2001, $40.9 million for housing planning and makes it harder for landlords to evict deadbeat tenants; and HB 5019 that funds $155 million to specified state agencies to address homelessness, which Governor Kotek requested.

The Legislative Fiscal Office breaks downs HB 5019 allocations with the largest sum, $85.2 million, going to create 600 new shelter beds across emergency areas, and rehouse 1,200 unsheltered individuals. Isn’t that two people per bed, or maybe the are expected to sleep in shifts. The second largest amount, $33.6 million is anticipated to prevent homelessness for 8,750 households. No less than $6.55 million supports staffing and administration that is sure to be an on-going expense to taxpayers regardless of the results.

Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville) said, “Without a bi-partisan commitment to reform Measure 110 and truly tackle the drug crisis in Oregon, I fear we will continue to see more of the same. While the bill provides expanded shelter capacity and rental assistance, I do not believe it gets to the heart of this issue – the failure of Measure 110 to provide meaningful access to treatment.”

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State Representative Anna Scharf (R-Yamhill/Polk) says, “While these bills do tackle some of the state's housing and affordable housing crisis, there is concern this package doesn't address Ballot Measure 110, which is at the heart of the homeless crisis.” Many homeless are receiving up to $1,500 per month in benefits, and SB 603, sponsored by Senator Winsvey Campos (D-Aloha), will add $1,000 with no strings attached.

Larger cities, mainly Portland, Salem and Eugene, liberals are finding out that a spike in shootings brought on by lawlessness and the homeless are a liability to their political well-being. They started pushing them out of downtowns. Over time they have been forced into rural towns and residential areas. Towns like Cottage Grove has quadrupled forcing the post office to close in the evenings, spreading into Creswell and other small towns that don’t have jobs for them or the means for sheltering or enforcing lawlessness.

Senator Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) had a message on the Senate floor regarding a forced Turnkey project turning a hotel into a shelter. The people in The Dalles are saying, “don’t Portland my Oregon.” The laws being passed are limiting local communities from solving their homeless problem with what works for their community.

Funding from these bills may help with temporary sheltering, but it doesn’t solve the underlying problem of joblessness. Until the over regulation of land use, restricting energy sources and high mandated labor costs are addressed, there will be no real visible return on the money spent in these bills.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-03-20 16:35:12Last Update: 2023-03-20 00:57:44



DEQ Suspends Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate
One of the most generous EV rebate programs in the country

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality today announced it will temporarily suspend the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program as of May 1, 2023. Projections show the program will be oversubscribed in late spring 2023. Program rules require DEQ to suspend rebates once funds are depleted.

“DEQ has one of the most generous EV rebate programs in the country. It has been extremely successful, and 2023 rebate applications are coming in at our highest rate yet. People are choosing electric vehicles and rebates are instrumental in lowering the costs to Oregonians.” said Oregon DEQ Director Leah Feldon.

The program receives funds annually from the state’s Vehicle Privilege Tax . It covers all program costs, including rebates, program administration and community engagement. The Oregon Department of Revenue projects the program will receive about $14 million for 2023. Also, it was able to carry over approximately $3.5 million due to a one-time allotment of $15 million last year. Therefore, the 2023 budget was $17.5 million, with $15.5 million available for rebates. DEQ expects the fund to be depleted in the next few months, based on volume of EV sales.

If you buy or lease an eligible battery electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or zero-emission motorcycle before May 1, you may still apply for a rebate . DEQ has created an Available Rebate Funding web page so applicants can see how much money is left for 2023. Once funds are depleted, eligible applications will go on a waiting list, to be paid once DEQ receives its next allotment in early 2024.

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Electric vehicles purchased or leased after April 30, 2023, will not receive state rebates, but can still qualify for federal tax credits . They will not be placed on a waiting list for rebates at a later time.

“Other states look to the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program as a model. That’s because we understand transitioning to electric vehicles is an important part of the state’s overall climate plan to reduce emissions, promote cleaner air and improve public health,” said Director Feldon.

A variety of state agencies and public electric utilities offer savings on EV purchases or charging infrastructure. The Go Electric Oregon website lists available incentives and provides helpful information for potential electric vehicle buyers and lessees.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-03-20 16:16:50



Debate Over Banning TikTok in Oregon
Chinese government may have access to private data from the App

Representative Ben Bowman (D-Tigard) is chief sponsor of HB 3127, which has been the topic of discussion this week in the Legislature. It would ban the Chinese owned popular App, TikTok, from being installed on government phones, tablets and other devices. The debate is over the Chinese government having access to private data from the App.

House Bill 3127 prohibits the installation and requires removal of software, hardware or services from specific vendors on state information technology assets, including such programs as TikTok and WeChat. The measure does include an exception for state agencies that use the products for carrying out law enforcement activities and requires these agencies adopt risk mitigation standards and procedures.

Bowman has proposed an amendment to replace Alibaba Group Holding Limited (formerly Yahoo! Inc,) with Ant Group Co. Limited, an affiliate of the Chinese conglomerate Alibaba Group. Ant Group owns the world’s largest mobile (digital) payment platform Alipay and claims to be privately owned. Alibaba Group is their biggest shareholder. The Amendment also exempts the Secretary of State and State Treasurer.

Kate Denison, Deputy Legislative Director for the Oregon Department of Justice, testified, “Data privacy and security are key issues for DOJ and General Ellen Rosenblum. Rapid changes in technology and information sharing have raised new challenges for businesses and governments alike. The sheer amount of information produced, collected and stored about Oregonians is expanding rapidly, and the data collected is more sensitive than ever. Health trackers, online banking, home security systems and even our cars are presenting new privacy and security challenges. Today’s security vulnerabilities are evidenced by the growing number of data breach incidents reported to DOJ: since 2015, approximately 830 data security breaches were reported to our Consumer Protection Section.”

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Leadership at the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Communications Commission have voiced concerns about the safety and security of TikTok regarding user data collection and data sharing. TikTok is an online hosting service for short-form videos and is owned by ByteDance Ltd., an internet technology company located in Beijing, China.

The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (P.L. 117-328), incorporated S. 1143, also known as the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act” which directed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and national security agencies to develop standards and guidelines to remove the video hosting platform TikTok from federal information technology giving them 30 days to comply. Currently, 27 states have enacted legislation or administrative orders to block the use of TikTok on state technology devices.

Denison also stated, “While the Department of Justice and other state agencies already have strong security measures in place to ensure that data on our networks is secure, HB 3127 is yet another step the State of Oregon can take to prevent unauthorized access and ensure that state information and infrastructure are protected.” She may have forgot that AG Rosenblum said under oath that Oregon’s voting machines are hackable.

In June of 2022, a member of the Federal Communications Commission sent a letter to Apple and Google referencing a litany of controversies that TikTok found itself in over the years, including skirting Android safeguards to track users online, accessing iOS clipboard information, and settling a class-action lawsuit for $92 million over allegations that it captured biometric and personal data from users in the U.S. without prior consent.

On the individual side, this session has two privacy related bills that are working their way through the legislative process. HB 2052 passed from the House Committee to Ways and Means that requires data brokers to register and identify their service. SB 619 will provide Oregonians with comprehensive consumer privacy rights over how companies control and process their personal data. It has a scheduled work session for March 28.

These bills are intended to make Oregonians feel their personal information is more secure, at least it's a step in the right direction.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-03-19 19:33:16Last Update: 2023-03-18 01:55:25



Nonprofit organizations taking over?
Criticism of NPOs may be growing

A bill in Oregon is being considered by the legislature would establish a pilot program at Portland State University and Eastern Oregon University to enhance hiring of public university students by nonprofit organizations.

HB 2802 is sponsored by Representative Nathan Sosa (D-Hillsboro), Representative Ricki Ruiz (D-Gresham), Senator Michael Dembrow (D-Portland) and would require Portland State University and Eastern Oregon University to submit reports to interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to higher education by September 15 of each year.

The bill would also appropriate money for purposes of conducting the program. The bill has the emergency declaration attached to it, which would make it effective on July 1, 2023. Critics of the bill are speaking out through public testimony, pointing out the bill's potential for corruption.

An Oregonian, submitting testimony on behalf of NW Coast Range, speaking in opposition to the bill, is quoted as saying: "Why would the Oregon Legislature using taxpayers money fund an employment match program between college students and NPOs? NPOs are no-accounts and a drain on the revenue of the state in the form of grants. NPOs are an intrusion into the state public services domain without a legislative matrix scale to measure what is expected to be accomplished."

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The testimony continues, "HB 2802 is a nepotism scheme by government to enrich the people that are known to them or at least have the same societal legislator’s objectives. All the while grants to NPOs and NGOs decimate grant funds by the high five or six figure salaries or more for executives and salaries for field/office personnel."

The testimony concludes, "What incentive do these NP/NG Organizations have in solving society’s problems? NONE! To receive money on the pretense of helping no one, would be solving themselves out of a lucrative job/salary that the state grant system affords. Until the state and nation figure out a responsible metric system of evaluating the services NP/NG Organizations provide, it is time to curtail the free money scheme (grants) of enriching legislative hanger-on-ers of the Oregon and American taxpayers."

HB 2802 is currently being considered in the Legislative Joint Committee On Ways and Means.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-03-19 13:28:04Last Update: 2023-03-19 15:44:13



Eugene City Boards and Commissions Seeking Applicants
Applications will be accepted through March 31

The City of Eugene Oregon has announced that residents looking for new opportunities to become involved in the community can apply now for positions on City boards and commissions.

There are 11 boards and commissions accepting applications for terms beginning July 1, 2023.

Members of boards and commissions provide a service to the city by advising the City Council and City staff on a wide variety of subjects and making recommendations on important policy matters.

The detailed studies and considered advice provided by boards and commissions can potentially inspire change though innovative programs and improved services within the City.

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Eugene Residents interested in participating in local government and helping to improve the community may consider applying for an opening. The following groups have openings in 2023:

City Council Advisory Bodies Other Advisory Groups Applications for open positions will be accepted through the City of Eugene Boards and Commissions application page March 1-31, 2023. Additional information can be found on the Eugene Boards and Commissions webpage.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-03-19 10:25:24Last Update: 2023-03-19 10:50:35



Budget Hearings Go to Local Communities
Oregon Ways & Means announces public hearing series

The Oregon Legislature’s Joint Ways and Means Committee has scheduled a series of public hearings on the state budget. Members of the public will have the opportunity to testify at each of these scheduled hearings regarding their perspectives and priorities around the state budget.

The series of hearings will start on April 8, 2023 at Portland Community College- Sylvania Campus. Members of the committee will take public testimony from community members from 10am to 12pm. To testify, members of the public will be able to access sign up links on the Ways and Means Committee’s webpage on OLIS, the legislature’s website. Sign up links will be available online in the next week.

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Times and locations for the series of public hearings are listed below: All hearings will be open to the public and members of the press.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-03-18 14:24:41Last Update: 2023-03-18 01:57:20



Serve on the Springfield City Council
Applicants sought for Ward 4 council seat

The Springfield, Oregon City Council is seeking an interim Councilor to serve Ward 4 through December 31, 2024. Community members interested in this opportunity must apply by 5 p.m., March 23, 2023.

The application form is available online and in the City Manager’s Office during regular business hours at 225 5th Street, Springfield.

The interim Councilor must live in the ward where the vacancy is located. Not sure what ward in Springfield you live in? Find out here.

Interim Councilor Recruitment Schedule The Mayor and City Council make up the legislative branch of Springfield’s City government.

The Mayor and City Council members serve without pay as volunteers for four-year terms. They set City policy and make decisions regarding ordinances and resolutions, authorizing contracts, setting City goals, and adopting the City’s annual budget. The Mayor and City Council also appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, Municipal Court Judges, and many residents to serve on advisory committees.

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The City of Springfield states that the Mayor and City Council guide the City staff to provide the highest quality, lowest cost service to the residents of Springfield.

The Springfield City Council meets regularly in both work sessions and regular meetings. These meetings are open to the public and in conformance with Chapter 192, Oregon Revised Statutes, Public Meetings.

During work sessions, the Council receives information from staff and discusses topics of interest. The work sessions normally are held on the second and fourth Mondays of the month beginning at 5:30 p.m. and may also occur on the first and third Mondays of the month at 6 p.m.

During their regular meetings, Council conducts the business of the City and makes policy decisions. The regular meetings are typically held on the first and third Mondays of the month, starting at 7 p.m. If that day falls on a legal holiday, the Council will meet on the next regular business day at the same time.

If advised by the City Manager or when approved by the Mayor or three members of the Council, special meetings may be scheduled. Additionally, Councilors are appointed to a variety of boards, commissions, and committees as Council liaisons; and participate in several community events throughout the year.

Council typically takes a recess during the months of August and December of each year.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-03-18 11:16:39Last Update: 2023-03-18 11:36:24



Kotek Declares Homelessness State of Emergency in Malheur County
More to be spent on homeless services

Oregon's Governor Tina Kotek has announced that Malheur County meets the criteria to be included in the Homelessness State of Emergency she declared on her first day in office, January 10, 2023.

“Malheur County has an overwhelming rate of unsheltered homeless people who need a leg up through shelter and services,” Malheur County Judge Dan Joyce, who helped advance their emergency declaration, said. “I am grateful the Governor has recognized this need and is answering our call for help in Eastern Oregon.”

Governor Kotek made the decision to include Malheur County in the emergency order and notified the county with a letter after Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) reviewed county data and determined that Malheur County meets the criteria for inclusion in Kotek's emergency order:

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Malheur County marks the second county added to the emergency declaration so far, preceded by Clatsop County.

Oregon Democrats are of course proposing even more spending, such as House Bill 5019, which includes $27.4 million to be spent on homeless services. The bill passed the Oregon State House on March 15.

What kind of results are we seeing following all of this spending on homeless services?


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-03-18 09:50:00Last Update: 2023-03-18 10:17:48



Oregon DEQ to suspend Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program
EV sales second highest in nation in 2022

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality announced it will temporarily suspend the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program as of May 1, 2023, which provides rebates for the purchase of electric vehicles (EV). Projections show the program will be oversubscribed in late spring 2023. Program rules require DEQ to suspend rebates once funds are depleted.

"DEQ has one of the most generous EV rebate programs in the country," said Oregon DEQ Director Leah Feldon. According to ODOT, Oregon ended 2022 as the number two state for electric vehicles sold averaging about 1,000 per month. It has been extremely successful with 57,700 registered in September 2022. Feldon says, "The 2023 rebate applications are coming in at our highest rate yet. People are choosing electric vehicles and rebates are instrumental in lowering the costs to Oregonians."

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The program receives funds annually from the state's Vehicle Privilege Tax, which is a tax for the privilege of selling vehicles in Oregon. It's a one-half of one percent (.005) tax that shows on the sales receipt. Don't think you will avoid the tax by purchasing out-of-state, it's called a Vehicle Use Tax. The "sales" tax on all vehicles (with a few resale exemptions) covers all EV program costs, including rebates, program administration and community engagement.

The Oregon Department of Revenue projects the program will receive about $14 million for 2023. Also, it was able to carry over approximately $3.5 million due to a one-time allotment of $15 million last year. Therefore, the 2023 budget was $17.5 million, with $15.5 million available for rebates. DEQ expects the fund to be depleted in the next few months, based on volume of EV sales.


--Ryan Bannister

Post Date: 2023-03-17 15:29:41Last Update: 2023-03-20 09:12:33



EV Charging and Parking Improvement Project
Very few public charging stations on capitol mall

Have you attempted to visit the Oregon capitol during this legislative session? After two years of being closed out of the building during legislative sessions, the public finally has access only to face so much parking construction there are no parking spots. That is because the Department of Administrative Services awarded a contract for the large task of installing electric vehicle charging stations in multiple state parking facilities as well as completing deferred maintenance and improvements to several locations. The project started in November 2022 and will continue to early 2024.

Completion of this large improvement effort has caused varying levels of disruption, temporary closures and movement of assigned parking in affected facilities. Of the 93 charging stations being installed around and under the capitol, 10 are for public use. When the project is completed, there will be 26 public charging stations at state office buildings out of 168 installed. If you are headed to a state office or the capitol, there are nine lots/parking areas that don't have any public access to charging ports.

Installing the 208 Volt, Level 2 EV charging stations is the first phase in building the infrastructure needed for supporting state-owned Zero Emission Vehicles and providing employee-only access charging along with limited public access. This project, and others like it across state government, are part of the long-range efforts needed to meet statewide transportation electrification goals set out in Executive Orders 17-21, 20-04, and the accompanying legislation in ORS 283.337.

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The disruption has been minimized, unless you want to visit a legislative hearing. The pandemic increased remote and hybrid workers resulting in canceled parking spaces, and DAS intentionally held open vacancies in preparation. However, several facilities are or will need to temporarily close completely, including the Green Lot and Commerce Lot. Employees are assured to have a space reserved when the lots reopen.

To help the EV folks out, ODOT is busy spending $100 million over five years for public electric vehicle charging along major roads and in Oregon's communities. About two-thirds of the funding — $52 million from the 2021 federal infrastructure bill plus a required 20% match — must be spent on EV charging infrastructure along Alternative Fuel Corridors. Oregon has 11 roads designated as electric corridors under the program: Interstates 5, 82, 84, 205 and 405; US Highways 20, 26, 95, 97 and 101; and OR Highway 42. ODOT may propose additional roads for designation over the next five years.

The remaining third of the money — $36 million — will be used to close EV infrastructure gaps and provide more charging sites in rural and urban areas, underserved communities, and at apartment complexes to allow more Oregonians to charge where they live, work, and play. Work will begin in fall of 2023.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-03-17 12:17:16Last Update: 2023-03-16 17:38:30



ODF Recognized for Early Wildfire Detection
Multi-mission aircraft detected 69 fires in 2022

Aerial Fire, The Aerial Firefighting Magazine, featured Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) multi-mission aircraft as making strides in early wildfire detection. Ryan Mason reports that the Partenavia P-68 Observer is not new at ODF, but using it for nighttime wildfire detection work is a new use. Using night vision and an FLIR camera system used with an augmented reality mapping stem, the Partenavia allows for quick detection and response to dozens of wildfires.

During fire season, the Partenavia flies at night looking for signs of wildfires started by lightning. ODF has developed a unique system by combining several technologies that has proven to be successful. ODF uses night-vision goggles (NVGs) and infrared sensors to initially spot suspected new fires. Then a laser pointer that is only visible in the NVGs, is used to communicate the exact position of the possible new fire to the camera operator. To confirm, the operator uses the infrared sensors and the high-power zoom to confirm whether it is actually a new fire and not another light source. Using these tools as a set makes them effective and saves valuable time.

When a new fire is identified, the observation is located on a map screen and the augmented reality system (ARS), which overlays all known information like roads, streams and names, onto a video screen as if they were on the ground. The still images and videos on these two screens give the parameters of where the fire is and a sense of what it is doing that can be loaded into a map for the ground crews to use. Attributes of the fire are drawn and labeled on the video screen, and the ARS turns those into data points and polygons.

Cole Lindsay, aviation coordinator for ODF’s Northwest Oregon Area told Mason of Aerial Fire, “As far as I’m aware, we’re one of the first states combining night vision and infrared into our aircraft to detect fires early. Using these tools together allows us to fly at night after a thunderstorm, find small fires in remote areas, and then send detailed information to our dispatch center so that they can send out the appropriate resources to extinguish the fire.”

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

In the 2022 fire season, DOF alone reported 225 fires by lightning and 672 fires caused by humans. This multi-mission aircraft (MMA) system was used to detect 69 fires, 60 of which were detected during extreme fire danger. The early detection of these fires helped to prevent the majority of them from growing into larger fires. Out of the 69 total detections, none of the fires on ODF-protected lands grew larger than 10 acres. Over the span of the season, ODF pilots and operators banked approximately 92 hours in the sky in search of new fire starts, the most in one night being 21 detections.

Neal Laugle, ODF Aviation Unit manager, told Aerial Fire, “We’re very proud of our achievements using the Partenavia. However, with the high demand for the resource, it’s difficult to meet the needs of the entire state with just one aircraft, which leaves our team having to prioritize certain areas over others during times of extreme fire danger in the state.”

The aircraft and program received investments in the 2021 Oregon Legislative Session that serves 3.5 million acres of forestland in northwestern Oregon. There is still a need for another multi-mission aircraft to better support the entire state. That isn’t likely since Governor Kotek’s DOF budget didn’t include wildfire risk reduction costs that the 2021-22 budget provided to cover fire costs and wildfire risk reduction.


--Dollie Banner

Post Date: 2023-03-16 15:54:27Last Update: 2023-03-15 03:19:05



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