Oregon

Politics

Biden is on the midterm campaign trail. But he's not welcome everywhere

Biden's approval ratings are underwater, so many Democratic candidates in tough races have avoided campaign appearances with him. But there are places where he can help.

Environment

Explosive demolition of coal plant underscores end of coal-fired electric generation in Oregon

A demolition contractor on Thursday imploded the towering smokestack and 19-story boiler building at Portland General Electric’s shuttered coal-fired power plant near Boardman, bringing a symbolic close to the era of coal-fired power generation in Oregon. Imported electricity generated from coal still flows through transmission wires across the Pacific Northwest, but that looks to be winding down soon, too.

Environment

Washington wants drivers to plug into clean cars by 2030

Democratic-led states on the West Coast are setting ambitious timelines to phase out sales of gasoline-powered cars and light trucks. The Washington Legislature just approved a goal that all new cars sold in the state beginning with model year 2030 be electric. Oregon and California have 2035 as their target. Some of these dates are aspirational, but one has teeth.

Washington House jettisons exported fuel tax proposal that angered neighboring states

A proposed tax on gasoline and diesel delivered to out-of-state customers from Washington refineries has gone by the wayside. The Washington House of Representatives voted Tuesday night to jettison and replace the "exported fuel tax" after strong blowback from neighboring states.