Toby Van Fleet's Blog Posts

by: Toby Van Fleet | March 1, 2010 - 15:05

Oregon today became the fourth state in the nation to offer voter registration online.

You can register or update your registration (change your address or political party, for example) at www.oregonvotes.org.

Online voter registration will not only save the state money, but may also serve as a useful tool for registering younger voters.

From a story in today's Oregonian:

In case you missed it: FDA on BPA

by: Toby Van Fleet | February 24, 2010 - 12:34

In case you missed it: Last month, the Washington Post published an article about the FDA's recent fumbling around over the risks of BPA exposure. A couple of paragraphs really summed it up for me (I added bold for emphasis):

Oregon in DC: How the state rates in LCV's latest national environmental scorecard

by: Toby Van Fleet | February 22, 2010 - 11:20

The national League of Conservation Voters today released their environmental scorecard rating the 2009 environmental performances of the nation’s senators and representatives in Congress. Naturally, we all want to know how the Oregon congressional delegation scored in a year when they were asked to vote for clean energy, clean air and water, public lands conservation and other key environmental initiatives.

Drilling moratorium passes out of committee

by: Toby Van Fleet | February 4, 2010 - 10:27

One of the Oregon Conservation Network's Priorities for a Healthy Oregon passed out of committee this morning and will soon be up for a vote on the House Floor.

As amended, House Bill 3613 would implement a ten-year moratorium on offshore drilling in Oregon's territorial sea. If the bill becomes law, it would help to provide certainty and stability in coastal communities who depend on our state's robust fishing and tourism industries.

Green hockey night a huge success!

by: Toby Van Fleet | February 1, 2010 - 14:47

Saturday night's Winterhawks game was not only a blast, it was a huge success that will directly impact Oregon's environmental legacy.

The Winterhawks used the game--which was Mascot Night--to raise money for the Oregon Conservation Network, a coaltion of nearly 50 leading enviro groups around the state which work together to pass pro-environment laws in the Legislature.

Statesman Journal lays out environmental priorities

by: Toby Van Fleet | February 1, 2010 - 11:06

A story in Saturday's Salem Statesman Journal lays out environmental priorities for Oregon's special legislative session, which started today and last only four short weeks.

BPA ban bill passes in Washington: Could Oregon be next?

by: Toby Van Fleet | January 26, 2010 - 14:30

The Washington State House of Representatives yesterday passed legislation that would ban Bisphenol A (BPA) in children's food containers. The bill sailed through with a vote of 95-1. Read the story in The Olympian.

From The Olympian:

"If the legislation becomes law, Washington will join Minnesota and Connecticut as the only states to eliminate bisphenol A (BPA) in children’s products."

Oregon could soon be on that list, too.

Wolf population increasing

by: Toby Van Fleet | January 21, 2010 - 14:11

Many of you were quite taken with the video of the wolf pack in the Wallowas that was released in November.

Earlier this week, an Associated Press story further tracks the apparent progression of the wolf population in the Cascades.

Obama scores B+ on environment

by: Toby Van Fleet | January 21, 2010 - 13:46

Earlier this week, the national League of Conservation Voters released its presidential report card, giving President Obama a B+ for his work to promote clean energy and fight global warming.

From the report card:

Measures 66 and 67: What's at stake in real numbers

by: Toby Van Fleet | January 9, 2010 - 12:11

Tualatin Riverkeepers had a great post on their Facebook page this morning that I wanted to make sure folks saw.

Watch the latest YES ad

by: Toby Van Fleet | January 5, 2010 - 13:42