Energy and Environment
Information regarding my stance on Energy and Environment issues.
The state's largest provider of mass-transit is working to combat climate change. Officials with TriMet met with Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici to discuss its transition to a zero-emission bus fleet. Currently, TriMet is testing a number of electric buses. They plan on making the transition to a zero-emission bus fleet by 2040.
Steep slopes and poor soil make the north side of Astoria particularly vulnerable to sliding. Last year, a landslide uprooted an entire house and left it sitting on the sidewalk. But the city recently landed more than $600,000 in federal aid to upgrade drainage systems at landslide-prone sites. The money is part of a larger omnibus spending package that will fund projects throughout Northwest Oregon. U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, an Oregon Democrat, had advocated for the inclusion of the projects.
Each member of Congress can submit up to 10 community project funding requests for consideration. Rep. Earl Blumenauer joined Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici in advocating for $2.67 million in funding for the Multnomah County Behavioral Health Resource Center, among other projects.
Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici wrote that the U.S. Forest Service's climate plan and 10-year wildfire strategy of hazardous fuel treatments and prescribed fire to reduce wildfire risks also must recognize the climate crisis and expand to include plans for mature and old-growth forests.
The Department of Energy and Oregon State entered into a partnership in 2016 to build the PacWave South facility for exploring how to harness the carbon-free wave energy created from wind blowing over the surface of the sea. PacWave South, prepermitted by the DOE, is designed to alleviate the challenges associated with testing technologies in the open ocean. "PacWave in Oregon is at the forefront of wave energy, thanks in large part to the visionary researchers at Oregon State University," said U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici.
"PacWave in Oregon is at the forefront of wave energy, thanks in large part to the visionary researchers at Oregon State University," U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici said. "This federal investment of $25 million will allow innovative technologies from across the country, including one from Portland State University, to be tested right here in Oregon, bringing us closer to realizing the potential of this tremendous resource."