Retired Gun Shop Lady Battles Oregon’s Future One Lawsuit At A Time

Oregon’s pioneer anti-nuclear laws accidentally birthed Irene Gilbert, 76, a retired state employee turned green energy speed bump. She’s filed more challenges—15 including lawsuits—to slow wind farms and power lines across the state, claiming, 'I figure I can lose a thousand cases' but still making a difference. Once running a gun store, now fighting turbines with government rulebooks, Gilbert’s mix of elk hunting grit and legal savvy turns 'green energy advocates' nightmares into a bureaucratic circus. Oregon’s green progress stalled? Blame the system and 'an old lady who has access to a computer.'

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Source: Propublica | Published: 8/14/2025 | Author: by Tony Schick, Oregon Public Broadcasting