Columbia Riverkeeper

Virtual Public Meeting: Support New Oregon Dept. of Energy Rule
2026-05-15 08:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Washington
On May 15, 2026, the Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) will consider whether to move a new rule update forward proposed by the Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE). The new rule proposes changes and fee increases for truck and rail carriers of radioactive material through the state. Fee increases would support emergency preparedness response.
Why: Columbia Riverkeeper actively participated in the Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC), one of the only representatives not associated with the trucking or rail industry, where we advocated for increased reporting, fees on rail carriers, and increased Tribal notification. Read our comments here.
Overall, we are very supportive of ODOE’s fee increase and of the inclusion of rail carriers, despite industry pushback. Shipments of nuclear waste from the Hanford Nuclear Site are expected to increase exponentially as tank operations advance. Somewhere between 60 to 110 shipments per year are expected to originate just from the 200 West project alone. In comparison, from 2023 to 2024, the Oregon Dept. of Transportation reported a total of 349 radioactive shipments through the state. Read the draft rule, RAC comments, and ODOE responses here.
There will be an opportunity for public comment at the May 15 virtual meeting. Join us in supporting ODOE’s proposed rule. If EFSC moves the rule forward, there will be a 49-day public comment period and public hearing.
When: Friday, May 15, 2026 @ 8:30 a.m. PDT
Online: Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
RSVP: Not required
Click here to join the meeting via Webex

Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee Meeting 4: Data Centers and Energy
2026-05-29 09:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Now is your chance to speak up about the massive increase in data centers in Oregon.
By: Kate Murphy, Senior Community Organizer
Oregon is seeing an unprecedented rise in data centers, resulting in a massive increase in demand for energy, water, and land. This is a critical moment to stand up to protect Oregon’s precious natural resources.
​Governor Kotek convened the Data Center Advisory Committee with the purpose of developing recommendations for a comprehensive regulatory framework to strategically pursue economic development opportunities, while ensuring utility costs, infrastructure investments, and environmental impacts remain sustainable and equitable for all residents, especially low-income and working families.
The Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee is holding monthly meetings as well as two public listening sessions, and they need to hear from you! This is an opportunity for members of the public to express their concerns and questions directly to the Committee during the public comment period.

Meeting 4: Data Centers and Energy
May 29, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Join online via Zoom.

Public Comments During Monthly Meetings
The Committee will dedicate 30 minutes at the end of each meeting for public comment. The Committee co-chairs also plan to hold another listening session dedicated entirely to public comments (date TBD).
Comments during meetings should be specific to the topic area and on the State’s interests relative to that topic for each meeting. Non- or multi-topical comments will be welcomed at the general listening sessions.
Individuals wishing to participate in topical public comments must request a 2-minute time slot via email to datacenter.ac@oregon.gov.
Please include:

Name
Meeting Date and Topic
A Brief Summary of Comments (that focus on the State interests in the topic).

Fifteen slots will be booked on a first-come-first-served basis and a balancing of comments received that the facilitator will announce. Priority may be given to those who have not spoken at prior meetings to assure the Committee hears many voices.​​
Learn about more opportunities to get involved with public engagement on data centers in Oregon.

Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee Public Listening Session 2
2026-06-02 16:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
By: Kate Murphy, Senior Community Organizer
Oregon is seeing an unprecedented rise in data centers, resulting in a massive increase in demand for energy, water, and land. This is a critical moment to stand up to protect Oregon’s precious natural resources.
​Governor Kotek convened the Data Center Advisory Committee with the purpose of developing recommendations for a comprehensive regulatory framework to strategically pursue economic development opportunities, while ensuring utility costs, infrastructure investments, and environmental impacts remain sustainable and equitable for all residents, especially low-income and working families.
Members of the Data Center Advisory Committee will be online to hear public comments regarding data centers in Oregon. All attendees will be given 3-5 minutes to share their perspectives on a first-come, first-served basis. They need to hear from you!

Public Listening Session 2:
June 2, 2026 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Join online via Zoom
(June 2, 4:30 p.m. update: use passcode: [REDACTED] when prompted)
Learn about more opportunities to get involved with public engagement on data centers in Oregon.

Webinar 6/12: Collision Course – Hanford Cleanup, Nuclear Energy, and Data Centers
2026-06-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
A 60-minute webinar in which we will explore the myth of nuclear reprocessing, why adding new nuclear to the Hanford Nuclear Site is a bad idea, and how the parasitic nature of nuclear energy and data centers are creating a new wave of environmental justice burdens falling squarely on the shoulders Indigenous frontline communities.
RSVP below. We’ll send you a Zoom link and reminders. *Note: Even if you can’t attend live, sign up, and we will send you a video recording after the event.

Moderator: Lauren Goldberg, Executive Director Columbia Riverkeeper
Panelists:

Krystal Two Bulls, Executive Director, Honor the Earth- Krystal is an Oglala Lakota and Northern Cheyenne grassroots organizer with experience on the frontlines doing campaign development and management around social, racial and environmental justice. Krystal’s identity as a Native American veteran is central to her organizing and storytelling. At the heart of Krystal’s work is Sovereignty, LANDBACK, cross movement relationship building and a deep commitment to her People. In healing from her experience as a veteran, Krystal has dedicated herself to embodying what she views as the essential quality of a warrior: a commitment to the well-being of not only her People and their relationship to the land, but that of all Peoples.

Arjun Makhijani, President, Institute for Energy and Environmental Research -holds a Ph.D. in engineering (specialization: nuclear fusion) from the University of California at Berkeley. He has produced many studies and articles on nuclear fuel cycle related issues, including weapons production, testing, and nuclear waste, over the past twenty years. Dr, Makhijani is the author of Prosperous, Renewable Maryland, based on hour-by-hour modeling of the Maryland electricity sector. He also authored Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free: A Roadmap for U.S. Energy Policy (IEER Press), the first analysis of a transition to a U.S. economy based completely on renewable energy, without any use of fossil fuels or nuclear power. He is the principal author of the first study ever done (completed in 1971) on energy conservation potential in the U.S. economy. He is the principal editor of Nuclear Wastelands and the principal author of Mending the Ozone Hole, both published by MIT Press.

Simone Anter, serves as a Senior Staff Attorney & Hanford Program Director for Columbia Riverkeeper, where she works with the Yakama Nation to support increased public engagement in Hanford Nuclear Site cleanup. Her work also focuses on lending legal support to other Riverkeeper campaigns and Clean Water Act enforcement actions. Simone is a descendant of the Pascua Yaqui and Jicarilla Apache and was an active member of UCLA Law’s Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) chapter. During law school, Simone served as Editor-in-Chief of the Indigenous Peoples’ Journal of Law, Culture & Resistance and participated in the National Environmental Law Moot Court competition. Prior to joining Riverkeeper’s team, Simone was an extern at the Tribal Law and Policy Institute where she contributed to legal publications and policy letters. In addition, Simone clerked for the Honorable Allie Greenleaf Maldonado in the Tribal Court of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians in Petoskey, Michigan.

Background

The Hanford Nuclear Site is the most contaminated site in the Western Hemisphere. Cleanup Matters. Columbia Riverkeeper’s Clean Up Hanford program is one of eternal hope. Radioactive and toxic pollution from Hanford threatens water quality, salmon, and people’s health. We work with Tribes and unite people to advocate for cleanup.
Learn more about the Hanford Nuclear Site here.

Rumble on the River #31
2026-06-16 17:30 | St. Andrew Catholic Church, 806 NE Alberta St., Portland, OR, 97211
Rumble #31: Building Community For The Long Haul

In response to the disheartening onslaught against democracy, humanity, and life on our planet, we come together for inspirations, ideas, and actions that will energize us to create a humane and supportive community. Come learn what other neighborhoods and networks are doing and how you can get engaged.
Since 2022, Rumble On The River has presented 30 community forums in neighborhoods throughout Portland and at the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference, University of Oregon. Rumbles bring together expert voices to discuss a range of environmental and social topics.
Panelists at Rumble 31 will include Amie Thurber (Portland State University School of Social Work), Chris Borte (Protect Oregon & Freedom Training), Jeremy Simer (Worth Fighting For St. Johns), Nancy Hiser (Tank The Tanks and the Linnton Neighborhood Association), and Simone Crowe (Thrive East PDX Community Resilience Workgroup).
What: Rumble 31: Building Community For The Long Haul
When: June 16, 2026. Doors and Info Tables at 5:30 p.m., Panel at 6:30 p.m.
Where: St. Andrew Catholic Church, 806 NE Alberta St. Portland, OR 97211
Who:

Amie Thurber (Portland State University School of Social Work)
Chris Borte (Protect Oregon & Freedom Training)
Jeremy Simer (Worth Fighting For St. Johns)
Nancy Hiser (Tank The Tanks and the Linnton Neighborhood Association)
Simone Crowe (Thrive East PDX Community Resilience Workgroup).

Cost: Rumbles are always free!
Parking: Street parking is available
Public Transportation:

Bus and Max lines: Check TriMet Trip Planner

Bikes are welcome!

RUMBLE CO-SPONSORS

350 PDX
Alliance for Democracy
Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Association
Bird Alliance of Oregon
Braided River Campaign
Breach Collective
Cathedral Park Neighborhood Association
Columbia Riverkeeper
Community for Earth/First Unitarian Portland
Cully Association of Neighbors
EcoFaith Recovery
Economic Justice Action Group/First Unitarian Portland
Extinction Rebellion-PDX
Frog Ferry
Havurah Climate Action Team
Human Access Project
KBOO Radio 90.7
Kenton Neighborhood Association
Linnton Neighborhood Association
Mosquito Fleet
Mt Tabor Neighborhood Association
Neighbors for Clean Air
No More Freeways
OPAL, Environmental Justice Oregon
Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club
Oregon Conservancy Foundation
Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility
Pearl District Neighborhood Association
P.E.S.T. Projection
Portland Committee on Human Rights in the Philippines
Portland Harbor Community Advisory Group
Portland Harbor Community Coalition
Portland Jobs with Justice
Portland Raging Grannies
Portland Youth Climate Strike
Portsmouth Neighborhood Association
St. Johns Neighborhood Association
Sauvie Island Community Association
Sunrise Movement PDX
Tank The Tanks
Third Act Oregon
Willamette Riverkeeper

Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee Meeting 5: Data Centers, Energy Affordability, Revenue, and Incentives
2026-06-26 09:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Now is your chance to speak up about the massive increase in data centers in Oregon.
By: Kate Murphy, Senior Community Organizer
Oregon is seeing an unprecedented rise in data centers, resulting in a massive increase in demand for energy, water, and land. This is a critical moment to stand up to protect Oregon’s precious natural resources.
​Governor Kotek convened the Data Center Advisory Committee with the purpose of developing recommendations for a comprehensive regulatory framework to strategically pursue economic development opportunities, while ensuring utility costs, infrastructure investments, and environmental impacts remain sustainable and equitable for all residents, especially low-income and working families.
The Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee is holding monthly meetings as well as two public listening sessions, and they need to hear from you! This is an opportunity for members of the public to express their concerns and questions directly to the Committee during the public comment period.

Meeting 5: Data Centers, Energy Affordability, Revenue, and Incentives
June 26, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Join online via Zoom.

Public Comments During Monthly Meetings
The Committee will dedicate 30 minutes at the end of each meeting for public comment. The Committee co-chairs also plan to hold another listening session dedicated entirely to public comments (date TBD).
Comments during meetings should be specific to the topic area and on the State’s interests relative to that topic for each meeting. Non- or multi-topical comments will be welcomed at the general listening sessions.
Individuals wishing to participate in topical public comments must request a 2-minute time slot via email to datacenter.ac@oregon.gov.
Please include:

Name
Meeting Date and Topic
A Brief Summary of Comments (that focus on the State interests in the topic).

Fifteen slots will be booked on a first-come-first-served basis and a balancing of comments received that the facilitator will announce. Priority may be given to those who have not spoken at prior meetings to assure the Committee hears many voices.​​
Learn about more opportunities to get involved with public engagement on data centers in Oregon.

Rumble on the River #32: We're Not Gonna Take the Heat
2026-07-09 17:30 | Dharma Rain Zen Center, 8500 NE Siskiyou St, Portland, OR, 97220, United States
Rumble #32: We’re Not Gonna Take the Heat

With experts predicting a sizzling summer for Oregon, after the lowest snowpack ever recorded, we continue to struggle to decarbonize and put the brakes on climate-caused disasters. How do we organize to mitigate and respond effectively?
Panel:

Bruce Nelson: Community Tree Guy
El Navarro: Outreach Manager with Depave
Noelle Studer-Spevak: Shade Equity Manager with 350PDX
Vivek Shandas: Professor of Geography, PSU/School of Earth, Environment &
Society
Willie Groshell: National Association of Letter Carriers: Oregon State President
Emeritus and National NALC Regional Workers Compensation Advocate

What: Rumble 32: We’re Not Gonna Take the Heat. View the flyer here.
When: Thursday, July 9, 2026. Doors and Info Tables at 5:30 p.m., Panel at 6:30 p.m.
Also, at 5:00 p.m. – A pre-Rumble Tour of the Bird Alliance of Oregon’s future site of their Wildlife Care Center and Nature Sanctuary.
Where: Dharma Rain Zen Center, 8500 NE Siskiyou St, Portland OR 97220
Cost: Rumbles are always free!
Parking: Street parking is available
Public Transportation:

Bus and Max lines: Check TriMet Trip Planner

Bikes are welcome!

RUMBLE CO-SPONSORS

350 PDX
Alliance for Democracy
Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Association
Bird Alliance of Oregon
Braided River Campaign
Breach Collective
Cathedral Park Neighborhood Association
Climate Reality Project-Portland Chapter
Columbia Riverkeeper
Community Broadband PDX
Community for Earth/First Unitarian Portland
Cully Association of Neighbors
EcoFaith Recovery
Economic Justice Action Group/First Unitarian Portland
Eco-Socialist Working Group-Portland DSA
Extinction Rebellion-PDX
Frog Ferry
Havurah Climate Action Team
Human Access Project
Kalikasan Solidarity Organization-KSO
KBOO Radio 90.7
Kenton Neighborhood Association
Linnton Neighborhood Association
Maplewood Neighborhood Association
Mosquito Fleet
Mt Tabor Neighborhood Association
Neighbors for Clean Air
No More Freeways
OPAL, Environmental Justice Oregon
Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club
Oregon Conservancy Foundation
Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility
Pearl District Neighborhood Association
P.E.S.T. Projection
Portland Committee on Human Rights in the Philippines
Portland Harbor Community Advisory Group
Portland Harbor Community Coalition
Portland Jobs with Justice
Portland Raging Grannies
Portsmouth Neighborhood Association
St. Johns Neighborhood Association
Sauvie Island Community Association
Sunrise Movement PDX
Tank The Tanks
Th!rd Act Oregon
Tualatin Riverkeepers
Willamette Riverkeeper

Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee Meeting 6: Additional Considerations and Deliberations
2026-07-31 09:00 | Virtual
Now is your chance to speak up about the massive increase in data centers in Oregon.
By: Kate Murphy, Senior Community Organizer
Oregon is seeing an unprecedented rise in data centers, resulting in a massive increase in demand for energy, water, and land. This is a critical moment to stand up to protect Oregon’s precious natural resources.
​Governor Kotek convened the Data Center Advisory Committee with the purpose of developing recommendations for a comprehensive regulatory framework to strategically pursue economic development opportunities, while ensuring utility costs, infrastructure investments, and environmental impacts remain sustainable and equitable for all residents, especially low-income and working families.
The Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee is holding monthly meetings as well as three public listening sessions, and they need to hear from you! This is an opportunity for members of the public to express their concerns and questions directly to the Committee during the public comment period.

Meeting 6: Additional Considerations and Deliberations
July 31, 2026
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
REGISTER HERE here for the Session 6 webinar. You must register in advance to access the live webinar. Zoom will automatically send a confirmation with login information to your email. Please note this may appear in your spam folder.
Public Comments During Monthly Meetings
The Committee will dedicate 30 minutes at the end of each meeting for public comment. The Committee co-chairs also plan to hold another listening session dedicated entirely to public comments (date TBD).
Comments during meetings should be specific to the topic area and on the State’s interests relative to that topic for each meeting. Non- or multi-topical comments will be welcomed at the general listening sessions.
Individuals wishing to participate in topical public comments must request a 2-minute time slot via email to datacenter.ac@oregon.gov.
Please include:

Name
Meeting Date and Topic
A Brief Summary of Comments (that focus on the State interests in the topic).

Fifteen slots will be booked on a first-come-first-served basis and a balancing of comments received that the facilitator will announce. Priority may be given to those who have not spoken at prior meetings to assure the Committee hears many voices.​​
Learn about more opportunities to get involved with public engagement on data centers in Oregon.

Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee Meeting 7: Committee Discussion and Deliberation of Draft Report
2026-08-04 09:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Come learn about the Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee’s findings from the public meetings this summer.
By: Kate Murphy, Senior Community Organizer
Oregon is seeing an unprecedented rise in data centers, resulting in a massive increase in demand for energy, water, and land. This is a critical moment to stand up to protect Oregon’s precious natural resources.
​Governor Kotek convened the Data Center Advisory Committee with the purpose of developing recommendations for a comprehensive regulatory framework to strategically pursue economic development opportunities, while ensuring utility costs, infrastructure investments, and environmental impacts remain sustainable and equitable for all residents, especially low-income and working families.
DCAC Meeting 7: Committee Discussion and Deliberation of Draft Report
August 4, 2026
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
REGISTER HERE here for the DCAC Work Session webinar. You must register in advance to access the live webinar. Zoom will automatically send a confirmation with login information to your email. Please note this may appear in your spam folder.

Public Comments During Monthly Meetings:
Unlike past sessions, there will be no Q&A or public comment. Members of the public will have an opportunity to speak again at the final Public Listening Session 3 in September. During this Committee Work Session, the DCAC will reflect on what they heard, what they learned, and what questions they want to follow up on prior to outlinning their recommendations for the Governor. The DCAC will also review the ideas and themes shared by the public. They will clarify what fits into the scope of the Governor’s Charge and can be presently addressed, what is outside of the scope and should be addressed in another way, and what must be flagged for future action.
Learn about more opportunities to get involved with public engagement on data centers in Oregon.

ON SCREEN: Chasing Chimeras: The Lure of Deceptive Climate Solutions
2026-09-13 19:00 | Tomorrow Theater, 3530 SE Division St, Portland, 97202, United States
2023. Directed by Barbara Bernstein. Runtime: 55 minutes.
As we confront the existential crisis of climate chaos there are two paths we can take. We can make dramatic changes that meaningfully reduce carbon emissions. Or we can accept the fossil fuel industry’s self-serving climate solutions—renewable diesel, hydrogen, renewable natural gas, biofuels, carbon capture and storage and carbon offsets. Chasing Chimeras: The Lure of Deceptive Climate Solutions, a new documentary by Barbara Bernstein, tells stories of people living in the crosshairs of these proposals, working to expose the dangers that these projects pose to their lives, homes, communities and the planet. In contrast to fossil fuel industry solutions, the documentary examines the need to implement verified and trusted renewable energy sources (wind, solar and geothermal), energy conservation and nature-based carbon capture and storage solutions that take advantage of natural carbon sinks such as old growth forests and wetlands.
When: Sunday, September 13. Doors at 6:30 p.m. Screening at 7 p.m. Runtime: 55 minutes.
Where: Tomorrow Theater 3530 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202
Tickets: $15. Purchase tickets here.

Film Screening: These Sacred Hills
2026-09-18 17:30 - 20:30 | Riverside Community Church, 317 State St, Hood River, OR, 97031
You are invited to a showing of the award winning documentary, These Sacred Hills, a powerful three-year collaboration between filmmakers Jacob Bailey, Christopher Ward, and members of the Rock Creek Band of the Yakama Nation in Klickitat County. The film follows members of the Rock Creek Band as they confront the Goldendale Pumped Storage development threatening their sacred mountain, Pushpum. A panel will follow the screening. Watch the trailer below!
When: September 18 @ 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. PDT

5:30 p.m. – Light supper / finger food
6:00 p.m. – Introductions and film showing
7:30 p.m. – Panel discussion

Where: Riverside Community Church – Riverside Community Church, 317 State St, Hood River, OR 97031
Cost: FREE. RSVP required. Reserve your spot below! Space is limited.
About: The film runs for 90 minutes. Afterwards, there will be a Q&A with Elaine Harvey Rock Creek Band Member & Watershed Dept. Manager for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Chief Bronsco Jim Jr., Yakama Nation Councilman Jeremey Takala, and the filmmakers, Chris Ward and Jacob Bailey.
Unable to attend? Protect the sacred land, medicines, and traditions of Pushpum from destruction and take action today.

Oregon's Data Center Advisory Committee Public Listening Session
2026-09-23 16:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Now is your chance to speak up about the massive increase in data centers in Oregon.
By: Kate Murphy, Senior Community Organizer
Oregon is seeing an unprecedented rise in data centers, resulting in a massive increase in demand for energy, water, and land. This is a critical moment to stand up to protect Oregon’s precious natural resources.
​Governor Kotek convened the Data Center Advisory Committee with the purpose of developing recommendations for a comprehensive regulatory framework to strategically pursue economic development opportunities, while ensuring utility costs, infrastructure investments, and environmental impacts remain sustainable and equitable for all residents, especially low-income and working families.
The Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee is holding monthly meetings as well as public listening sessions, and they need to hear from you! This is an opportunity for members of the public to express their concerns and questions directly to the Committee during the public comment period.

Public Listening Session 3
September 23, 2026
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Join the Zoom meeting here. Advance registration is not required.
The Data Center Advisory Committee will taking comments on its preliminary findings report. Attendees will have 3 minutes to share their perspectives on a first-come, first-served basis.
Learn about more opportunities to get involved with public engagement on data centers in Oregon.
