© 2024 KLCC

KLCC
136 W 8th Ave
Eugene OR 97401
541-463-6000
klcc@klcc.org

Contact Us

FCC Applications
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

EPA grants $2.7 million to help improve air quality in Oakridge-Westfir area

Paul Gilmore
/
Unsplash

Nearly $3 million of Environmental Protection Agency money is going towards reducing wintertime air pollution across Oakridge and Westfir.

Travis Knudsen of the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency said those places are called “nonattainment” areas, given their frequent use of wood burning stoves in a geographically enclosed area during winter.

“Nonattainment means that they are not meeting federal air quality standards set in 2006," Knudsen told KLCC. "So it’s a little bit of extra money that’s set aside for these communities, so they can do important work to improve air quality in their area so that way they can meet those standards and fall below them.”

This latest award builds on a 2019 grant which uses weatherization and stove upgrades, and ductless heat pump installations to limit pollution.

Copyright @2022, KLCC.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
Related Content