440th Regular Meeting of the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission
This meeting was held by Zoom and in-person at the Portland DEQ headquarters.
Location:
700 NE Multnomah Street
Portland, OR 97232
3rd Floor Conference Room
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
9 a.m.
Welcome and Meeting Open
The commission will open the meeting, review the day's agenda and introduce new commissioner Silvia Tanner.
9:05 a.m.
Item A: Draft Meeting Minutes (Action)
Commissioners will review and take action on proposed draft minutes from the September 2025 regular meeting and the November 2025 special meeting.
9:10 a.m.
Item B: Three Basin Rule 2025 (Action)
DEQ will propose to amend the Three Basin Rule following the EQC's direction in November 2024. The proposed changes aim to allow limited issuance of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits while preserving the original intent of the rule. The changes will also streamline the Onsite-Wastewater Treatment and Control Facility permitting process, enabling facilities to obtain permits for system repairs without needing EQC approval, provided there is no increase in flow or waste strength.
9:55 a.m.
Item C: Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program (Informational)
DEQ will provide an overview of Oregon's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, or CPRG, Program. The presentation will highlight both DEQ's award of $3 million to develop climate plans for Oregon, as well as $197 million in federal funding for reducing climate pollution across the state. This funding established the Climate Equity and Resilience Through Action, or CERTA, Program. CERTA is a five-year initiative that started on Oct. 1, 2024. CERTA will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, providing benefits like clean energy, lower utility costs, energy-efficient housing, and improved public health in Oregon. DEQ is partnering with several state agencies to implement 12 grant programs under the CERTA initiative.
10:40 a.m.
Break
10:55 a.m.
Item D: Climate Protection Program: Update on Community Climate Investments (Informational)
DEQ will provide an update on the implementation of the community climate investments component of the Climate Protection Program. The relaunched Climate Protection Program went into effect at the beginning of 2025. This presentation will include updates on the selection of an Equity Advisory Committee and the process for selecting potential community climate investment entities.
11:40 a.m.
Working Lunch and Executive Session
The commission will hold a working lunch and executive session, pursuant to ORS 192.660(2), (f) and (h). Per state law, members of the media may attend executive session; however, they may not report on the specifics or details of any discussions or information presented during executive session. To request access as a member of the media, please email Lindsay Trapp by 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025.
1 p.m.
Item E: Public Forum
The commission will hold a comment opportunity for any environmental and public health issues relevant to DEQ and EQC. Sign-ups to comment will occur shortly before the start of this agenda item, and people are asked to limit comments to two minutes or less. Comment times may be reduced at the discretion of the commission.
1:45 p.m.
Item F: Agency Budget Updates (Informational)
DEQ will provide a status update on implementation of the 2025-2027 Legislatively Approved Budget, and brief the commission on the development of the 2027-2029 Agency Request Budget and legislative agenda.
2:45 p.m.
Break
3 p.m.
Item G: Director's Report (Informational)
DEQ will present written and verbal updates on agency activities and other issues of interest to the commission.
4:15 p.m.
Adjourn Meeting