Water

The New York Times has created a database for the public to look up water pollution  violations by state. Check it out here.

The Oregon Senate just voted 25-5 to pass HB 3037 and send the bill to the Governor. The bill creates a paint stewardship program, helping protect Oregon's rivers and landfills from toxic paint waste. More about the bill. Post-consumer paint is often the number one product, by volume and cost, coming into local hazardous waste programs.

Senators Atkinson, Boquist, Ferrioli, Kruse, and Starr voted against the bill, which was supported by conservationists and the paint industry.

Sen. Dingfelder and Rep. Cannon had a major victory earlier this week when the Senate passed House Bill 2080, a bill allowing the use of gray water (water used in homes besides sewage and those waters contaminated by toxic chemicals), on a 24-5 vote. Homes with gray water can reuse about half of their water. Read more about the bill, which now goes to the Governor for his signature.

Congrats to these environmental champions!