Jets And Oregon's Pollution: Who's The Real Culprit?

Oregon has some of the worst air pollution in the United States, with four of its metro areas ranking among the 50 worst nationwide for air pollution spikes. While the amount of toxic pollution emitted into Oregon’s land, air, and water is dropping, the state's emissions are higher than they should be to meet its reduction goals. The state has implemented programs to reduce air pollution, such as Cleaner Air Oregon, which targets companies that emit toxic air pollutants. While celebrity-owned jets are also major polluters, it is unclear if they are the biggest polluters in Oregon.

Celebrity-owned jets are the biggest CO2 polluters

While Oregon has been making efforts to reduce carbon emissions, with a particular focus on industrial emitters, the state continues to face challenges in meeting its goals. One of the major contributors to carbon emissions in Oregon is the transportation sector, including aircraft.

Celebrity-owned jets have come under scrutiny for their significant contribution to carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution. Private jets, often owned by celebrities and the ultra-wealthy, are notorious for their environmental impact. These jets emit substantial amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.

Kylie Jenner, for instance, faced criticism for a 17-minute private jet flight from Camarillo to Van Nuys, California. The flight only saved her 30 minutes of travel time but likely produced around two tonnes of CO2. Kylie's sister's plane has emitted 4268.5 tonnes of carbon emissions over 57 flights in a single year, which is a staggering 609.8 times more than the average person's annual emissions. Another notable example is Hollywood director Steven Spielberg, who took 61 flights on his private plane in 2022, including a short 48-mile flight in the Netherlands.

It is important to note that celebrities may not always be on board these flights, as renting and borrowing private jets is a common practice. However, the environmental impact remains significant. The excessive use of private jets by celebrities highlights the disparity in environmental responsibility and contributes to a larger conversation about the role of the wealthy in addressing climate change.

While Oregon works towards reducing emissions, the state also grapples with air pollution, particularly in four metro areas: Eugene, Bend/Redmond/Prineville, Portland/Vancouver/Salem, and Medford/Grants Pass. These areas have experienced unhealthy levels of air pollution, increasing the risk of cardiovascular and other serious health issues for residents. Oregon has implemented initiatives like the Cleaner Air Oregon program to address industrial air pollution and improve overall air quality in the state.

Oregon's Cleaner Air program targets 20 air polluters

In 2020, Oregon's Cleaner Air program targeted 20 air polluters as part of its new program regulating toxic air emissions. The state's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) released a list of the first phase of companies selected for in-depth reviews. This marked the first concrete step under the program toward limiting air pollution.

DEQ Director Richard Whitman welcomed the move from "a hypothetical into a real one, where we’re talking about real facilities". He added that it was an important step in closing gaps in Oregon’s air quality programs. The Cleaner Air Oregon program is a partnership between the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. It aims to develop a new regulatory system for managing air toxic emissions from industrial stationary sources.

The program's emissions inventory requirement, for the first time, mandates that polluters supply annual reports of air toxic emissions. It also places an emphasis on community engagement in the risk assessment and air permit process. DEQ will analyze each of the 20 companies to determine whether emissions from their facilities pose a risk to human health and whether the agency needs to revise their air quality permits.

Among the companies in the first wave of reviews is Roseburg Forest Products. Ellen Porter, the company’s environmental director, said the company has been preparing for it, including its own review of emissions from its facility in Medford. She added that the process would be expensive, more so if new limits are placed on the company’s permit. Another company, Columbia Steel, said in a statement that it was happy to be among the first group of businesses reviewed. CEO Martha Cox said: "We have always been in compliance with DEQ air standards and are interested in seeing how we measure up under the Cleaner Air Oregon rules."

Fossil fuel-burning power plants are the top industrial emitters

While jets and celebrity private jets are among the biggest polluters in the world, Oregon's top industrial emitter is fossil fuel-burning power plants. As of 2017, the top six industrial emitters in Oregon were fossil fuel-burning power plants that generate electricity for customers in Oregon and other states that share the region's electrical grid.

Portland General Electric's Boardman Power Plant, the only coal-fired power plant in Oregon, emits 1.7 million tons of carbon annually. However, the state's emissions reduction goals for the next 30 years are not on track, with emissions higher than they should be.

The Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas export terminal and pipeline project in southwest Oregon, if approved and built, is projected to become the state's largest greenhouse gas emitter, producing 2.14 million metric tons of greenhouse gases per year. This would be a significant setback for Oregon's progress in reducing emissions, which peaked in 1999.

Oregon has implemented initiatives such as the Cleaner Air Oregon program to address air pollution and regulate toxic air emissions. The state's Department of Environmental Quality has identified over 350 facilities for in-depth reviews to determine the risk posed to human health and the need for revised air quality permits.

Additionally, Oregon is home to several Superfund Sites, designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as the country's most polluted places. These sites include former industrial facilities, military barracks, and treatment plants that have left soil, groundwater, and sediment contaminated with toxic materials.

Oregon's cities rank among the worst for air pollution

Oregon has some ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in place for the next 30 years. However, according to a 2018 report by the American Lung Association, four Oregon metro areas are among the 50 worst nationwide for air pollution spikes: Eugene, the Bend/Redmond/Prineville area, the Portland/Vancouver/Salem area, and the Medford/Grants Pass area. Eugene, in particular, has a high use of wood-burning or solid-fuel-burning stoves to heat homes, contributing to pollution spikes.

The state's emissions are higher than they should be to meet its goals, and several large emitters reflect some of Oregon's largest industries: paper, metals, and wood products. In 2014, 280 federally regulated facilities released 16.4 million pounds of toxic chemicals, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. While this is an improvement from 2012, when emissions peaked at 23.2 million pounds, it still poses a significant problem.

The Cleaner Air Oregon program, championed by Governor Kate Brown, aims to address this issue by regulating toxic air emissions. The state Department of Environmental Quality has identified 20 companies for in-depth reviews to determine the health risks associated with their emissions and whether new limits are needed for their air quality permits.

Additionally, Oregon is home to several Superfund Sites, designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as the country's most polluted places. These sites, such as the former Arkema plant in Portland Harbor and the North Ridge Estates Superfund Site near Klamath Falls, have been contaminated with industrial toxins, asbestos, and other hazardous materials. While some clean-up efforts have been made, the state continues to struggle with the environmental and health impacts of these polluted areas.

Manufacturing, metal mining, and utilities are large polluters

While there is no direct evidence that jets are the biggest polluters in Oregon, the state does have its fair share of pollution problems. Manufacturing, metal mining, and utilities are large polluters in Oregon, and these industries have a significant impact on the environment and human health.

Manufacturing

Oregon's manufacturing sector is a significant contributor to the state's pollution levels. Companies like Siltronic Corp, a semiconductor manufacturer, and Vigor Industrial, a shipbuilder, are among the top polluters in the state. Many other polluters in Oregon are also associated with the manufacturing industry, particularly those that produce paper, metals, and wood products. These industries have seen a decrease in toxic emissions over the past two years, which is a positive sign. However, it's important to note that in 2014, nine companies in Marion and Polk counties released a total of 217,493 pounds of toxic chemicals, with a significant increase from the previous two years.

Metal Mining

Metal mining is another large polluter in Oregon. While there is limited specific information about metal mining pollution in Oregon, it is worth noting that mining activities can have significant environmental impacts, including water pollution and soil erosion. Additionally, according to a list of polluters in Oregon, companies with "metals" in their name, such as Akzo Nobel Coatings and TDY Industries DBA Wah Chang, are among the top polluters in the state.

Utilities

Utilities, particularly electric utilities, are also major polluters in Oregon. While there is no specific information about the impact of electric utilities on the environment, it is important to note that they are required to report their release of toxic chemicals to the EPA each year. This suggests that electric utilities have the potential to emit significant amounts of toxic pollutants. Additionally, according to the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory, which lists facilities that release toxic chemicals, there are several electric utility companies mentioned, indicating that they are among the top polluters in the state.

The state of Oregon is taking steps to improve its air quality and reduce pollution. In 2019, Oregon cities averaged an annual Air Quality Index (AQI) level of 38, passing the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard. This was an improvement from the previous two years, and it indicates that efforts to reduce pollution are making a positive impact. However, it is important to continue monitoring and regulating these large polluting industries to ensure that Oregon's environment and public health are protected.

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