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.
Update: Oregon Delegation Announces Over $7 Million for Federal Fishery Disaster Declaration
The federal funding will help ocean commercial fishermen in Oregon recover from significant economic losses in 2018, 2019, and 2020 from declining salmon populations. Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), and Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Merkley, Wyden: City of Ashland Will Use $10 Million for Energy Efficiency Improvements
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the City of Ashland has received a $10 million loan from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Rural Energy Savings Program to help finance a relending program in the city for qualified consumers who will implement energy efficiency
Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Research the Impact Microplastics Have on Healthy Farming Practices
Microplastics may be traveling through wastewater systems and ending up on our farms. Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), introduced legislation to research the impact of microplastics on biosolids and
Merkley, Grijalva, Colleagues Call to Center Environmental Justice and Climate Impacts of The Dakota Access Pipeline; Increase Transparency and Tribal Consultation in Final Environmental Impact Statement
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07) led colleagues in a bicameral letter to the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE or Corps) expressing their concerns with the agency’s climate analysis in the court-ordered Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Dakota Access Pipeline
Merkley, Wyden Join Colleagues’ Bipartisan Call to Address Long-Term Drought in Farm Bill
Washington, D.C.— Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) in a bipartisan effort calling on the Senate Agriculture Committee to address long-term drought in the upcoming farm bill. “Agriculture is the economic backbone for rural communities in our states.
Merkley Applauds Strong Administration Action on Clean Hydrogen
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and one of the Senate’s leading voices on climate, released the following statement on the Biden administration’s new hydrogen rules: “I applaud the Biden administration for taking this important step to ensure that