Governor Tina Kotek and her natural resources adviser, Geoff Huntington, are prioritizing water quality and availability this legislative session. They aim to tackle issues like overdrawn water basins and groundwater contamination, especially in eastern Oregon.
Kotek highlighted her plans to push for changes in water management laws. She believes this is a crucial step that has been long overdue. “I’m committed to making progress here,” she stated.
In the past century, Oregon has faced significant challenges in water management. Water officials have allocated all surface water and overdrawn groundwater in some areas. They also lack clear records on available water in other regions. In response, Kotek gathered a group of water attorneys to propose improvements in state water policies.
Huntington mentioned that the governor’s office supports new bills that will give state agencies more power to manage water allocation and regulations. These efforts are backed by key lawmakers, including Rep. Ken Helm from Beaverton and Rep. Mark Owens from Crane, who co-chair the House agriculture and water committee.
“We’re trying to manage resources based on outdated structures,” Huntington said, emphasizing the need for modern solutions. They are also looking to update the Groundwater Quality Protection Act to better monitor groundwater resources and enhance pollution control.
In northeast Oregon, the Lower Umatilla Basin is facing severe nitrate contamination from fertilizer and waste. This area illustrates the pressing need for stronger regulations to improve water quality. Recent studies show that nitrate pollution in Morrow and Umatilla counties is worsening. Efforts to mitigate this issue include supporting the Port of Morrow in acquiring federal loans for wastewater treatment improvements.
Despite these efforts, there is still a lack of financial support for connecting homes that rely on well water to municipal systems. Kotek’s budget does allocate resources for providing residents with bottled water and filters while she seeks longer-term solutions.
Wildfire funding is another critical topic for Kotek. After an emergency session to address outstanding wildfire bills, she has been following a legislative committee focused on long-term solutions. Ideas being considered include increasing lodging taxes to support the state’s wildfire fund and investing surplus revenue into this fund.
“They need to be politically viable so that we can implement them effectively,” Kotek said. Interestingly, none of the proposed solutions involve new funding from investor-owned electric utilities, which have been linked to some of the state’s most devastating wildfires.
The potential for utilities to limit their liability in future wildfire incidents is a growing concern. Kotek stressed the importance of holding these companies accountable. “Utilities should contribute to solutions and not just pass costs onto ratepayers,” she added.
As for energy demands, particularly from data centers, Kotek has raised concerns about rising electricity rates. These centers are rapidly increasing electricity requirements, prompting utilities to seek more costly energy sources. To address this, Senate Bill 553 would direct the Oregon Department of Energy to study data centers and propose protective measures for residents against rate hikes.
With the swift growth of data centers, Kotek believes it’s time for Oregon to discuss what criteria should be used for local economic development. The impact of these facilities on water supply and energy grids cannot be ignored. “We need to find a balanced approach moving forward,” she said.
This legislative session is poised to tackle significant challenges in water management, wildfire funding, and energy demands. The outcomes will shape Oregon’s future sustainability and resilience.
Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
