Monica Samayoa
Monica Samayoa is an award-winning climate and environmental journalist.
Her work has covered how communities in Southern Oregon continue to recover from wildfires, as well as the decades of groundwater pollution in Eastern Oregon and its impacts to the communities. She's also closely examined how urban planning in Portland makes heat domes particularly deadly for marginalized communities. Recently, she’s been covering the clean energy transition, climate solutions & adaptations and environmental justice.
Before OPB, Monica was an on-call general assignment reporter at KQED in San Francisco. In 2017 she studied abroad in Sydney, Australia, where she attended University of Technology Sydney to finish her degree. There, she was able to get her first taste in radio while producing and hosting for 2SER, Sydney Educational Radio.
Monica holds a bachelor's degree in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts from San Francisco State University.
In her free time, Monica likes to spend time with her family and friends and travel the world. So far she has traveled to 17 countries.
Latest Stories
Former Oregon DEQ director forced out over relationship with employee
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s former director was forced to resign after department leaders learned he had a relationship with a direct report.
‘We’re not going away.’ EPA pressures Oregon to clean up groundwater pollution
The Environmental Protection Agency's Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller on Monday warned Oregon government agencies that federal authorities will take action if the state doesn’t quickly address nitrate contamination cleanup in Eastern Oregon.
A year after Superfund designation, Bradford Island cleanup hasn’t started
Many who want to see Bradford Island restored are frustrated with the drawn out process. Some are calling on the EPA to hold the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers accountable now and take over cleanup responsibilities.
Oregon to temporarily suspend popular EV rebate program
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will temporarily suspend the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate program starting May 1 until funds for the program are replenished next year.
National Weather Service in Portland considers text alerts after misstep on snow forecast last month
Portland's National Weather Service office is considering using emergency text alerts to notify residents when weather changes happen quickly.
Portland approves public electric vehicle chargers in more areas to close equity gaps
Portland City Council unanimously approved the Bureau of Transportation’s EV charging in the right of way project, which will increase public charging stations in areas of the city that currently lack the infrastructure.
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Oregon Department of Environmental Quality names new director
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality appoints Leah Feldon to be the agency's director.
Oregon churns out renewable energy, but needs batteries to store it
In Oregon, some utilities have begun ramping up renewable energy to meet the state's clean energy goals, but there’s a problem: The energy generated from these sources can only be used when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining.
Portland could require more electric vehicle chargers as it builds out of housing crisis
The proposal would require newly built multi-dwelling housing, with five or more units that provide on-site parking, to install the necessary electrical wiring for EV charging infrastructure.
As Oregon lawmakers focus on housing, climate advocates eye building efficiency
Oregon lawmakers are back in session, and climate advocates say passing laws on building efficiency and grabbing federal funding are critical this year.