Natural Resources and Rural Development

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.

Merkley, Murkowski Lead Bipartisan Push to Protect U.S. Ocean Monitoring Systems

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) led a bipartisan group of Senators to demand the National Science Foundation (NSF) halt its plans to dismantle the vital Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), a complex system of 900 ocean monitoring instruments that provides crucial data for

Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Launch Inquiry into Administration’s Corrupt Redirecting of Taxpayer Dollars for National Parks to Pay for Trump’s Vanity Projects

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined their Senate colleagues in pressing the Trump Administration on its redirection of tens of millions of dollars from fees paid to the National Park Service (NPS) to fund President Donald Trump’s vanity projects in Washington, D.C.  “Visitors to our national parks contribute millions of dollars to the National Park Service’s (NPS) budget by purchasing recreation passes and digital

New Merkley Bill Clears Barriers to Renewable Energy Projects Nationwide

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee—released new legislation to oppose discriminatory barriers to renewables enacted by states, counties, and municipalities across the United States. As the Trump Administration increases electricity prices with ever-intensifying attacks on cheap

Merkley Fights Back Against Trump’s Attacks on Renewable Energy Projects Nationwide

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee—today unveiled new legislation to push back against the Trump Administration’s attacks on renewable energy. The Restoring Renewable Energy Parity Act repeals Trump Administration executive orders targeting renewable energy projects across the

Merkley, Senate Democrats: Trump’s Staffing Cuts at Key USDA Services Threaten Rapid Response to New World Screwworm, Rural Communities, Food Safety, and Public Health Nationwide

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley led his Senate Democratic colleagues to sound the alarm over the Trump Administration’s staff cuts at critical U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies that oversee food and agriculture systems and respond to threats such as the New World Screwworm across the

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