Here is what’s happening with Salem’s Climate Action Plan …
350 Salem’s radio program, The Elephant in the Room, explores what’s new with Salem’s Climate Action Plan. Host Tom Ellis talks with City Councilor Micki Varney to find out about current strategies and actions aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase climate resiliency in our community.
Enjoy some late summer fun with Salem Bike Vision!
Super Casual Bike Ride every Saturday
Super Casual Bike Ride meets every Saturday at the bottom of the Soap Box Derby Hill at 11 a.m. with wheels down at 11:30. The latest info on all Super Casual Bike Rides can be found on their Instagram page.
Other Weekly Rides
The Salem Bicycle Club has multiple rides every week. Among their many rides, SBC recently started a new Family Ride every first Saturday. Learn more at Events – Salem Bicycle Club.
| Every fall, organizations across the country host a Week Without Driving, a national movement to help folks, particularly policy makers, realize what it means to live without a car. SBV is in full support of the movement and asks folks to join the cause. This year the event will be held over the week of September 29th – October 2nd. |
Senate Bill 726 will require better methane monitoring and mitigation at Coffin Butte.
One of 350 Salem OR’s legislative objectives this year was passage of SB 726, which will require better monitoring and mitigation of methane leaks at the Coffin Butte landfill beginning in 2027.
Methane is 28 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO2 and is the reason why over 14% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. come from landfills. The Coffin Butte landfill, where most of Salem’s garbage is now going with the closure of the Reworld incinerator, has had a terrible record of controlling methane leakages and is considered to be a “super-emitter,” according to EPA standards. An EPA inspection of just a small portion of the landfill a year ago found 41 leaks that exceeded EPA limits, including 10 that were 20 times above the limit. Hopefully, SB 726 will address this beginning in 2027.
The bill was co-sponsored by our own Senator Deb Patterson and was strongly supported in the House Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee by Representative Tom Andersen. The bill will require the use of advanced methane detection technology, such as drones, to pinpoint methane leaks so that they can be eliminated.
An Oregon law tries to tackle garbage gases – High Country News
Looking ahead …
Dear friends, we are looking at a difficult and uncertain future in our country. So many people are in danger and so much that we cherish is at risk. At the same time, we see an outpouring of resolve to protect our Earth and everything we hold dear. We at 350 Salem OR are in this struggle for the long haul, continuing to act for climate justice and looking for opportunities to act in solidarity with others who hold fast to the hope for a healthy, just, inclusive and compassionate world. Join us!
“Fifty years from now people will likely look back on this era through the lens of having seen catastrophic climate changes that we cannot even imagine. Our legacy will depend on the level of moral courage we display in this difficult challenge.”
— 350 Salem OR Co-coordinator Phil Carver