Oregon D.O.G.E.

What Is DEQ Actually Doing? Rules, Lawsuits, and the Climate Cash Grab

Oregon D.O.G.E.

In this episode of Oregon D.O.G.E., lawmakers dig into one of Oregon’s most powerful and controversial agencies: the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Senator Daniel Bonham, Rep. Greg Smith, and Senator David Brock Smith walk through:

  • DEQ’s $800M+ budget, with 42% based on regulatory fees
  • 8,200+ pages of rules, many created without legislative approval
  • A federal DEI lawsuit that could cost Oregon millions
  • How DEQ’s policies drive up energy, construction, and consumer costs
  • Oregon’s Climate Protection Program, and the nonprofit funneling climate money with ties to political activism

Whether it’s zero-emission mandates, shrinking business incentives, or runaway bureaucracy, lawmakers ask: Who’s holding DEQ accountable?

🎧 Listen now and learn more at oregondoge.com