Brian Barton
Eugene, Oregon has been ranked as one of the top five most polluted cities in the U.S. in terms of air pollution. The city's air quality has been impacted by various factors, including wildfire smoke, freight and goods movement, and industrial emissions. However, it is important to note that Eugene has made significant improvements in reducing pollution over the last two decades, thanks to regulations on woodburning and the transition to cleaner energy sources. The city's power grid is now one of the cleanest in the nation, with almost no energy sourced from fossil fuels. Despite this, the levels of particle pollution in Eugene still exceed the federal allowance, and it continues to face challenges in maintaining healthy air quality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air Quality Index (AQI) | 13 |
| PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) AQI | 13 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) AQI | n/a |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) AQI | n/a |
| O3 (ozone) AQI | 0 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) AQI | n/a |
| Overall air quality ranking in the U.S. | 4th worst |
| Power sources | 80% carbon-free, air pollution-free hydroelectric energy, 20% conventional renewable sources |
| Number of unhealthy PM2.5 days per year | 6.2 |
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What You'll Learn
Eugene-Springfield ranked 4th worst in the US for air pollution
According to a report from the American Lung Association, Eugene-Springfield ranks 4th in the US for poor air quality. The report, which was released in February 2024, highlights that 39% of Americans (approximately 131 million people) live in areas with dangerously polluted air.
The report also notes that the US saw the most days with "hazardous" and "very unhealthy" air quality in 25 years, with particle pollution being a key concern. Eugene-Springfield's air quality issues are largely due to ground-level ozone pollution, which has been likened to a "sunburn of the lungs". This type of pollution is particularly harmful to respiratory health.
Despite the clean power grid portfolio in Eugene, with 80% of the city's power sourced from hydroelectric energy, other factors contribute to its poor air quality. Vehicular and industrial emissions, as well as wildfires, significantly impact the air quality in Eugene-Springfield. The report also mentions that during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite expectations of improved air quality due to lockdown measures, air pollution persisted, largely due to freight transportation and wildfire smoke.
While the report highlights the urgent need for stronger national limits on ozone pollution, it is important to acknowledge that Eugene has made significant strides in reducing pollution over the last two decades. Regulations on wood-burning and highly polluting industries, as well as the promotion of electric vehicles, are positive steps towards improving air quality in Eugene-Springfield.
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Eugene's air quality has improved over the last 2 decades
Eugene, Oregon, has made significant strides in improving its air quality over the last two decades. While the city has faced challenges, particularly from wildfires and particle pollution, recent reports indicate that Eugene's air quality is now good. This improvement can be attributed to a combination of factors, including regulatory measures, a transition to cleaner energy sources, and the adoption of lower-emission vehicles.
One of the key contributors to Eugene's improved air quality has been the implementation of regulations targeting highly polluting industries and wood-burning practices. These regulations have helped reduce the emission of harmful particulate matter, such as PM2.5, which includes airborne pollutants like ash, soot, dust, and chemicals. By addressing these sources of pollution, Eugene has been able to make substantial progress in cleaning up its air.
Another critical factor in Eugene's success story is its transition to a cleaner energy portfolio. The city now sources approximately 80% of its power from carbon-free, hydroelectric energy, with the remaining 20% coming from conventional renewable sources. This shift away from fossil fuels has had a significant impact on reducing air pollution, particularly by eliminating coal-fired power plants. As a result, Eugene is now recognised as one of the top 100 cleanest power cities globally.
The promotion of electric vehicles has also played a role in improving Eugene's air quality. Motor vehicles are typically the largest source of air pollution in US cities, and the adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles has helped to reduce emissions from this sector. Oregon has actively encouraged the transition to electric vehicles through rebate programs and tax incentives, making it more accessible and affordable for residents to make the switch.
While Eugene has made remarkable progress in improving its air quality, it continues to face challenges, especially from wildfires. In recent years, record-breaking wildfires have impacted the region, leading to spikes in particle pollution and "unhealthy" air quality days. However, overall, Eugene's air quality has shown a positive trend, and the city remains committed to implementing measures that protect the health and well-being of its residents.
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Eugene has one of the cleanest power grid portfolios in the US
Eugene, Oregon, has one of the cleanest power grid portfolios in the US. The city's power comes predominantly from carbon-free, air pollution-free sources, with almost none of its energy derived from fossil fuels.
Hydroelectric energy is the primary source of Eugene's power, accounting for around 80% of its energy. The remaining 20% is sourced from conventional renewable resources. The city's largest utility-owned power source is the Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project, located 70 miles east of Eugene on the upper McKenzie River. This project has provided Eugene with low-cost hydropower since 1963. The other three hydroelectric projects owned or co-owned by EWEB customers are Leaburg, Stone Creek, and Walterville. Hydropower is a highly affordable form of renewable energy, allowing states that rely heavily on it to benefit from lower energy bills. It also serves as an excellent "backup" for wind and solar power, as it can be adjusted according to demand.
The transition to cleaner energy sources has significantly improved Eugene's air quality over the last two decades. In 2007, Oregon enacted the Oregon Renewable Energy Act, which established a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to reduce the state's reliance on fossil fuels and increase the use of renewable energy sources. This act has contributed to Eugene's clean power grid portfolio, and the city now ranks among the top 100 cleanest power cities worldwide.
Despite Eugene's progress in reducing pollution, short-term particle pollution (PM2.5) remains a concern. PM2.5 includes airborne particulate matter such as ash, soot, dust, pollen, and chemicals that are small enough to enter the bloodstream and affect various organs. While Eugene's air quality has improved overall, there has been a rise in particle pollution events since 2016, largely correlated with the wildfire season. Motor vehicles are typically the largest source of air pollution in US cities, and Eugene has been encouraging the use of electric vehicles through rebate programs to reduce emissions further.
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Eugene averages 6.2 unhealthy PM2.5 days per year
While Eugene, Oregon, has one of the cleanest power grid portfolios in the nation, it is not immune to air pollution. Short-term particle pollution (PM2.5) is a primary concern in Eugene, with the city averaging 6.2 unhealthy PM2.5 days per year. This is nearly double the federal allowance of 3.2 unhealthy days per year.
PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter. Due to its minuscule size, PM2.5 can penetrate the natural barriers in our airways and enter the bloodstream, affecting various organs, including the heart and brain. In Eugene, PM2.5 pollution arises from vehicular and industrial emissions, wood and stubble burning, windblown dust, and pesticides used in agriculture.
The American Lung Association's report on air pollution ranks Eugene-Springfield as the fourth most polluted city in the United States. This ranking includes data from the Holiday Farm Fire, which blanketed the southern Willamette Valley in sooty smoke. Notably, the report also covers years impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which freight and goods movement on heavy-duty trucks, rail, and ports contributed to poor air quality.
Despite these concerning rankings, Eugene has made significant strides in improving its air quality over the last two decades. Regulations on woodburning and highly polluting industries, as well as a transition to cleaner energy sources, have played a pivotal role in reducing pollution. Additionally, the promotion of electric vehicles through rebate programs and tax incentives further contributes to lowering emissions.
While Eugene still faces challenges, especially with the impact of wildfire smoke on air quality, the city's efforts to curb pollution and transition to cleaner energy sources offer a promising path toward a healthier and more sustainable future for its residents.
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Wildfire smoke is a contributor to air pollution in Eugene
Eugene, Oregon, has made significant strides in improving its air quality over the last two decades. The city boasts one of the cleanest power grid portfolios in the nation, with approximately 80% of its energy derived from carbon-free, air pollution-free hydroelectric sources. However, despite these advancements, Eugene still faces challenges in maintaining clean air, particularly due to the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in the region.
Wildfire smoke is a significant contributor to air pollution in Eugene, and it has played a pivotal role in the city's recent decline in air quality. The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency's data reveals that excluding wildfire smoke data nearly halves the peak 24-hour average of particle pollution. This highlights the substantial impact of wildfires on Eugene's air quality. The city's location in the Willamette Valley exacerbates the problem, as wind patterns and surrounding forests can trap smoke for extended periods, making it challenging for the smoke to disperse.
The particulate matter (PM) in wildfire smoke poses a severe health risk to the residents of Eugene. Fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller (PM2.5) can infiltrate the deepest parts of the lungs and potentially lead to serious health issues. During wildfire season, which typically occurs in late summer, early fall, and winter, PM2.5 emissions tend to spike due to a combination of wildfire smoke and domestic wood burning.
The impact of wildfire smoke on Eugene's air quality was notably severe in 2017, 2018, and 2020, with 2020 witnessing the highest air pollution levels on record for Lane County since monitoring began in 1968. The situation has not improved in recent years, as evidenced by Eugene and Springfield being ranked fourth for annual particle pollution in the 2025 State of the Air Report by the American Lung Association.
To address the issue of wildfire smoke and its detrimental effects on air quality, local organizations such as the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency have taken initiatives to help residents limit their exposure. This includes providing information on creating homemade air filters using box fans and furnace filters, as well as distributing nearly $1 million in grants to safeguard vulnerable residents from the health hazards associated with wildfire smoke.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the timeframe and the type of pollution. In the long term, Eugene's air quality has improved significantly over the last two decades. This is due to regulations on wood burning and highly polluting industries, a transition to a cleaner energy power grid portfolio, and lower-emission vehicles, among other factors. However, in recent years, there has been a rise in particle pollution events, largely correlated with wildfire seasons.
As of May 23, 2025, the overall air quality index in Eugene, Oregon, was 23, indicating good air quality.
Motor vehicles are traditionally the largest source of air pollution in US cities, and Eugene is no exception. Other sources include industrial emissions, wood and stubble burning, windblown dust, and pesticides from agriculture.
Eugene has one of the cleanest power grid portfolios in the nation. Approximately 80% of Eugene's power comes from carbon-free, air pollution-free hydroelectric energy, and the remaining 20% is sourced from other renewable sources. Additionally, Oregon is promoting the adoption of electric vehicles through rebate programs and tax incentives, which can help reduce vehicle emissions.
