‘Letter to Air’ by Mayor of Portland, Ted Wheeler

Hear from the Mayor of Portland, Ted Wheeler, ahead of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies on 7 September

As both an avid adventurer and triathlete, and as the Mayor of Portland, I understand personally and professionally how crucial clean air is for our community's health and wellbeing. I depend on clean air to thrive and to perform my best, and we all depend on clean air to protect our health and our families.

Not everyone in Portland enjoys clean air daily, as our city, like many others, suffers from heightened pollution near freeways, transportation corridors, and industrial zones. The impacts of climate change, including frequent heat waves and smoke from wildfires, exacerbate this issue. Combined with emissions from vehicles and industrial chemicals, these conditions lead to increased smog, prompting the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to issue an air-quality advisory this August. The rise in wildfires across the West has contributed to more frequent days of poor air quality due to smoke.

Portland has taken steps during my administration to partner, identify, and invest in various projects and policies that reduce air pollution:

• In 2018, we adopted a Clean Air Construction Standard in partnership with other Portland Metro Area jurisdictions. This ensures that construction equipment used on publicly funded projects meet idle reduction and diesel engine standards.
• In 2022, Portland adopted an overhaul to our Renewable Fuel Standard, phasing out the sale of diesel fuel by 2030. An impact study conducted by Eastern Research Group found that switching to renewable products could reduce diesel particulate pollution up to 39% and reduce VOCs by about 20%.
• In 2024, Portland voted to phase out the use of gas-powered leaf blowers, starting in 2026, with a full ban effective in 2028. The policy is intended to reduce air pollution and improve quality of life.
• Also, the City of Portland recently adopted several plans related to air quality and carbon emission reductions that will reinforce our commitment to clean air over the coming decades. These plans and projects include the Climate Emergency Workplan, EV Ready Code Project, 2040 Portland Freight Plan, and the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund's Climate Investment Plan.

While we have much work ahead to improve air quality for all Portlanders, I'm proud of the steps we have taken. Our actions must target populations most vulnerable to air pollution, including children, the elderly, people with disabilities, communities of colour, low-income populations, and outdoor workers. Together, we must continue to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and pollutants that compromise our air quality and public health.

Sincerely,
Mayor Ted Wheeler