GreenState DEQ podcast

Of the many things important to people in Oregon, a major one is water. DEQ plays a major role in protecting water quality of lakes, rivers and streams to ensure they can support aquatic plants and animals.

Lauren and Dylan talk to DEQ's Water Quality Administrator about the state of Oregon's water as well as the staff working on improving it.

When out exploring waterways around Oregon you might encounter thick, colorful water – so thick and bright that it looks like green, blue or brown paint. These cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms, or cyanoHABs, can pose a public health risk. So Lauren and Dylan talk with water experts from the DEQ lab and Oregon Health Authority to learn more, including how to protect yourself.

Prescribed burning and wildfire can send smoke into communities around Oregon, which may impact public health. So, DEQ has been working with communities around Oregon to develop community smoke response plans. Lauren and Dylan talk with Smokewise Ashland, a local collaborative working group ground in Southern Oregon, which has been operating a community smoke response plan for years. Voices include a longtime Ashland resident who has utilized the program to better prepare for smoke.

Show notes:

It's Air Quality Awareness Week and National Wildfire Awareness Month, so... we've got a really cool episode. We're talking with Richard Deng, a freshman in high school, who after experiencing a series of smoky summers decided to dedicate his time to making an air quality prediction tool that has now won multiple science fair awards. Lauren and Dylan talk with Richard about what exactly inspired him to make this tool, how he did it, what it can accomplish and where he'll be taking it next.

Show notes: https://deqblog.com/2022/05/04/ep11-youthinnovation/

To celebrate Earth Day/Week/Month, Lauren and Dylan are talking about environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion - not just in general, but how this conversation is evolving at DEQ specifically.

Show notes: https://deqblog.com/2022/04/14/environmental-justice/

Lauren went out to test drive an electric vehicle and find out more about the EV buying experience. She also asks questions to an EV rep at a car dealer, such as how much are the EVs, where do you get your charger and what about the federal tax incentive? Dylan and Lauren talk about her test drive and Dylan asks her the question you may be wondering – will Lauren buy an EV?

Show notes: https://deqblog.com/2022/03/29/ep9-evtestdrive/

Thinking about electrifying your ride? Electric vehicles are becoming more popular and more widely available. DEQ and other state agencies are making them more accessible by providing rebates and supporting the expansion of charging infrastructure. Lauren and Dylan talk to lead staff in DEQ's EV rebate program and ODOT's Transportation Electrification Program Manager.

Show notes: https://deqblog.com/2022/02/24/ep8-evs/

DEQ's Climate Protection Program sets enforceable and declining limits on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels used throughout Oregon. Lauren and Dylan talk to DEQ's Director, Climate Program staff and Oregon Business for Climate about what this means for Oregonians.

Show notes: https://deqblog.com/2022/01/26/ep7-cpp/

Lauren and Dylan talk about DEQ’s Emergency Response program. DEQ staff work with their local, state and federal agency, as well as Tribal partners, to support spill contingency plans. These plans are essential to protecting Oregon’s natural and cultural resources in the event of an oil spill.

Show notes: http://deqblog.com/2021/12/15/ep6-emergency/

Learn more about your hosts, Lauren and Dylan, and about their comms team at Oregon DEQ. Who's on the comms team? What do they do? How is the comms team working to help you? That's what we cover in episode 5 — well, that and who at DEQ has biked from Boulder, Colorado, to Eugene.

Show notes: http://deqblog.com/2021/11/17/ep5-confusion-to-clarity/