According to a recent lawsuit brought on by a coalition of environmental groups, PGE's coal-fired power plant, located in Boardman, Oregon, is the largest stationary source of air and global warming pollution in Oregon.
The coalition, which includes the Sierra Club, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Northwest Environmental Defense Center, Columbia Riverkeeper, and Hells Canyon Preservation Council, took action recently to force PGE to clean up its act.

The Pacific Environmental Advocacy Center is representing the coalition and gave PGE a 60-day notice in January of its intent to file suit to force PGE to install pollution controls as required under the Clean Air Act.

PEAC attorney Allison LaPlante said that by law PGE was required to update the plant's pollution controls when it upgraded other parts of the same facility. But PGE failed to comply with these updates and as a result the plant has been pouring high levels of harmful pollution into Oregon's air for years.

Ironically, PGE touts itself as "climate friendly," offering the ClimateSmart program, which allows customers to make their energy use "climate neutral" by adding a separate amount to their monthly energy bill. That amount is invested in environmental projects in California that reduce or remove an amount of greenhouse gases.
Meanwhile, PGE's Oregon coal-fired plant pollutes Mount Hood, Mount Rainier, and Hells Canyon and causes acid rain and fog in the Columbia River Gorge.

According to a 2004 report by Abt Associates, coal-plant pollution in Oregon is responsible for an estimated seven deaths, 11 heart attacks, five cases of chronic bronchitis, 163 asthma attacks, and two emergency room asthma visits per year.
PGE's is the only coal-fired power plant in Oregon.

In harm's way

The National Academy of Sciences estimates that chemical exposures play a role in at least one in four cases of developmental disorders. Overall, an estimated 15 percent of all illnesses are related to environmental factors. The Oregon Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility believes that toxic exposures deserve special scrutiny because they are a preventable cause of harm. OPSR will offer "In Harm's Way: Toxic Threats to Health and Child Development" to educate the community, specifically health providers, about the link between environmental toxins and development.  

It will address the scope of the problem, potential trends, ramifications of developmental disabilities, health effects of developmental neuro-toxicants, chemical testing and exposure, and the latest scientific research.

To schedule a presentation, call (503) 274-2720.