Morning Roundup


LUBA overturns fossil fuel ordinance, Portland pledges additional money for Superfund cleanup and $258 million housing bond spending lags.

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Tough blow for the city of Portland yesterday.

The Oregon Land Use Board reversed Portland’s landmark ordinance restricting the expansion of fossil fuel terminals. LUBA ruled the ordinance violates the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Portland is reportedly considering an appeal. The Portland Tribune has the story.

Portland coughs up $5 million more for Superfund cleanup. The Portland Harbor Superfund cleanup will cost about $1.2 billion, according to EPA estimates. More than 150 parties will have to chip in for the cleanup project. Portland has already paid $50 million to help plan for the mammoth undertaking. The Portland Tribune has more.

Housing bond falls behind. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler assured the city housing was a priority. But the $258 million bond to fund new projects has yet to be tapped. Wheeler says the first affordable housing project won’t begin until October. Willamette Week has the story.

Investigators suspect military exercise link to Oregon wildfires. Federal agencies are investigating seven small fires that sprung up on July 11. The fires, which started at the same time, were attributed to human activity. Investigators believe the fires in southeastern Oregon could be linked to military training exercises. OPB has the story.

Tech community inches toward diversity.  A “diversity pledge” taken by many of Portland’s tech companies appears to be working, albeit very slowly. Read more about a diversity study from the Oregonian.

OB Original Blog: What’s trending in undergrad degrees. As Research Editor Kim Moore reports, university administrators are busy preparing to launch several new undergraduate majors in the fall where they see growth in demand from industry and business.

Stanfield demands shutdown of dehydration plant. The city’s council is levying fines against 3D Idapro Solutions for offending odors while it seeks a legal route to shut down the facility. The East Oregonian has the story.

From the Magazine: Launch — The Doctor Is In. I take a look at new healthcare startups.