The Beaver State was built by Americans who relied on the land for their livelihood. Natural resource industries like farming, forestry, and salmon fishing remain integral to Oregon’s economy today. Our state has also long been a destination for Americans looking to experience the great outdoors. Oregon’s protected public lands provide valuable habitats, supply clean water, and generate jobs through sustainable harvests, recreation, and tourism. Preserving our natural resources and making smart decisions about economic development will help spur rural growth and ensure that future generations can enjoy Oregon’s wild places and public lands while putting people to work.
Wyden, Merkley, Bynum: Redmond Secures $1.25 Million Investment for Water Infrastructure
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum today announced that the city of Redmond has earned a $1.25 million federal infrastructure investment from the Environmental Protection Agency to expand the city’s sustainable wastewater treatment system. “Modern and dependable infrastructure is essential
Merkley, Wyden Announce $30 Million Federal Support to Expand Clatskanie Scion Sawmill
SALEM, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will finance $30 million for Clatskanie Scion LLC to expand a new sawmill. Clatskanie Scion LLC will use the funding to expand operations for Myers Woodline to manufacture industrial lumber products
Merkley, Curtis Lead Bipartisan Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act
Bipartisan legislation removes regulatory burden on proactive forest management efforts to mitigate wildfires Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and John Curtis (R-UT), members of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led their EPW colleagues—including Committee Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Alex
New Merkley Bill Tackles Dual Crises of Wildfire Risk and Insurance Affordability
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today unveiled the Wildfire Insurance Affordability Act, new legislation that would help homeowners reduce wildfire risk, give insurers confidence in lowering home insurance rates in communities at risk of fires, and keep insurers in the market. “The threat of wildfires is sending
Merkley, Hyde-Smith, Bentz, Thompson Launch New Bipartisan Effort to Promote Renewable Fuels, Boost Wildfire Resiliency
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) partnered with U.S. Representatives Cliff Bentz (R-OR-02) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02) to introduce the Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act. This new bipartisan, bicameral legislation proposes to modernize the definition for renewable biomass under the Renewable Fuel Standard, establishing
Merkley: Bipartisan Water Infrastructure Bill Advances in the U.S. Senate, Includes Key Priorities for Oregon
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee—announced today the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 cleared a key hurdle by passing out of the EPW Committee. WRDA is critical, bipartisan legislation that authorizes U.S. Army Corps of