February 7, 2013 | Oregonlive.com-- Should state regulators give Portland more time to shut down the city's open-air reservoirs on Mount Tabor and at Washington Park?
U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer thinks so.

Blumenauer, the Portland Democrat who once served on the Portland City Council, released a letter Thursday offering support for a plan proposed earlier this week by city Commissioner Steve Novick.

Novick on Monday asked the Oregon Health Authority to give Portland until 2024 to comply with federal "LT2" regulations for the reservoirs, with the hope that a four-year delay from the current 2020 requirements could buy Portland enough time to avoid the costly projects altogether.

Last year, city leaders made a similar request but were turned down by the state, which has final say on the issue.

In his letter to the state, Blumenauer pointed to regulators in New York, who granted the city of Rochester an extension.

"The OHA should recognize that Portland shares and has arguably stronger economic challenges than those cited by Rochester, and merits the same consideration and CONTINUE READING