Apparently the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) is not interested in educating or notifying the public regarding the renewal of pollution permits for Lane County’s largest polluting facilities, International Paper and Kingsford Briquettes of Springfield.
The expiring emission permits allow these facilities to spew more than 2,300 tons of particulates, 1,600 tons of sulfur dioxide and 530,000 tons of greenhouse gasses into our air shed every year.
We’ve requested LRAPA to hold public informational meetings regarding the amount, health impacts and which measures can be taken to reduce pollutants. Instead of welcoming public participation, however, LRAPA hides behind thousands of pages of documents, loopholes and agency-speak.
Oregon law does not currently require Title V emission permit holders to reduce pollutants unless they propose increasing emissions. Multinational corporations abetted by Oregon DEQ have abused this loophole for decades while Oregonians are granted asthma, cancer and death.
In 2019 Oregon DEQ and LRAPA will be implementing the new Cleaner Oregon Air Act. However, this proposed law does not mandate existing facilities reduce toxic pollutants.
It appears Oregon DEQ and Oregon legislators’ only goal is to shield corporate polluters and avoid their tax-payer funded duties to protect Oregonians’ health.
Shannon Wilson
Eugene
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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