Science & Environment
Latest Stories
Oregon Field Guide
The Gambler 500 rallies unlikely environmental stewards in Eastern Oregon
Off-road thrills, junky cars and trash cleanup. Welcome to the Gambler 500!
Weather
Forecasters predict above-average hurricane season again
Forecasters expect 13 to 19 storms to form in the Atlantic between June 1 and the end of November. At least 6 of those are forecast to be full-blown hurricanes.
Judge halts controversial proposed chicken farm east of Salem
A Linn County judge invalidated an essential permit for a proposed chicken farm east of Salem on Tuesday. Local residents and farmers have fought for years to keep the farm from being built.
On ‘World Bee Day,’ the bees did not seem bothered. They should be
A significant part of the human diet comes from plants pollinated by bees — not just honeybees, but hundreds of species of lesser-known wild bees, many of which are endangered.
45 years later, Washington geologist remembers visiting Mount St. Helens the day before it blew
Sunday marks the anniversary of the May 18, 1980, volcanic eruption that rocked the Northwest. Geologist Carolyn Driedger recounts the haunting day before that catastrophic event — and its lasting effects.
Oregon Field Guide
Oregon hobbyists reach for the stars with backyard astrophotography
New technology allows photographers to capture detailed images of the cosmos without breaking the bank or leaving the city.
Climate
Northwest leaders set renewable energy goals, but neglected a key element required to achieve them
An investigation by OPB and ProPublica found that Oregon and Washington are trailing the nation in adding renewable energy, despite ambitious goals set by lawmakers in both states.
Wildfire
An architect of Oregon’s wildfire map on why he now supports repealing it
After Oregon’s devastating 2020 Labor Day fires, the Legislature passed a bill that was supposed to lead to more wildfire awareness and resilience. But the resulting map led to a huge backlash from property owners – a backlash so strong that a few weeks ago, the state Senate voted unanimously to eliminate it.
Climate
Higher prices, rolling blackouts: The Northwest is bracing for the effects of a lagging green energy push
Northwest leaders pushed strict green energy mandates but neglected problems with the electrical grid. Residents are already feeling the consequences.
Climate
How the Pacific Northwest’s dream of green energy fell apart
Oregon and Washington passed aggressive goals to decarbonize their power supply but left it to the Bonneville Power Administration to build the transmission lines needed for wind and solar. The agency hasn’t delivered.
