On May 31, 2024, the Oregon Senate confirmed Governor Tina Kotek’s appointments of Matt Donegan (right) and Karen Moynahan (left) to the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission. Their terms will begin July 1, 2024, before the next EQC meeting.

Matt Donegan

Matt Donegan, who currently serves on the Lewis and Clark College sustainability board and as a fellow for the Oregon Business Council, has been appointed to the commission.

“I am honored to help advance Governor Kotek’s environmental agenda and have a particular interest in the climate protection program. The climate crisis has reached a tipping point, and I am eager to see Oregon protect its citizens and assert leadership on this critical issue,” said Donegan.

Donegan is a leader in building public-private partnerships to address the wildfire crisis caused by climate change. In 2019, he was appointed to chair Oregon’s Wildfire Response Council to evaluate the state’s system of response to large fires. It was a two-year effort during which he convened federal, state, and local government officials, scientists and environmental groups, and business and industry groups to develop recommendations for the future of Oregon’s wildfire response infrastructure. The Council’s recommendations served as the basis for historic wildfire legislation.

Karen Moynahan

Karen Moynahan, who most recently served as Chief Deputy City Attorney for environmental matters with the City of Portland, said, "I believe my lifelong experience in environmental matters, including as legal counsel to State environmental regulators and to the City of Portland in its dual roles of potentially responsible party and environmental steward in the Portland Harbor Superfund Site, has prepared me well for this new role in high-level environmental policymaking. I am honored to serve Oregonians and will do my best to surpass the Governor's expectations of me in this important position.”

Moynahan has nearly 37 years of litigating environmental issues and developed in-depth experience with state and federal cleanup laws, water quality regulations, and other critical environmental issues. She currently sits on the board of the Oregon Environmental Council and, since her retirement, serves as a substitute teacher in the middle and high schools of the Dallas School District.

DEQ Director Leah Feldon said, “I look forward to working with Matt and Karen as we continue our efforts to ensure Oregon remains at the forefront of environmental protection and resilience.”

“With their extensive experience in environmental policy and law, each will bring important perspective as we consider the needs of all communities in making environmental policy decisions,” Feldon said.

Terms for the current Chair, Kathleen George, and Vice Chair, Sam Baraso will end on June 30, however, Baraso will serve through the summer to help with the transition of new commissioners. Both served two terms.

The commission is a five-member panel of citizens appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate, providing policy and rulemaking oversight for the Department of Environmental Quality. Commissioners may serve up to two four-year terms. The commission adopts, amends and repeals rules, issues orders, reviews contested cases, and appoints DEQ’s director.

Media contact: Jennifer Flynt, public affairs specialist, jennifer.flynt@deq.oregon.gov, 503-730-5924

About Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality protects human health and the environment by controlling air and water pollution, reducing the impacts of manufactured products and cleaning up contaminated properties. DEQ engages the public in decision-making and helps communities solve problems in ways that are economically and environmentally sustainable.

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