OLCV Talk

Washington Lawmakers: No Money for the CRC

While local governments continue to sign off on putting a huge new I-5 bridge between Vancouver and Portland on their credit cards, there's a glaring problem: the money to pay the bill.

With a currently estimated $4.2 billion cost, the bridge is the most expensive public works project in the region's history. Tolls can only pay a portion of the cost, and the rest will have to be covered by federal, state, and local sources.

But Washington lawmakers are saying the project isn't at the top of their priority list. As the project mainly benefits Washington-based commuters, that's a major problem.

Leaders of Washington's House Transportation Committee are focused instead on two other projects - an expansion of SR520, and a replacement of Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct. From the Portland Business Journal article:

"The bottom line is there are no funds available for construction of the Columbia River Crossing," said [Vancouver, WA Senator Don] Benton, a project opponent. "We've almost completely tapped out our resources just on the project studies alone." ...  Oregon lawmakers have generally supported the bridge, although they've broached few concrete funding solutions.

EPA Blasts CRC's Failure to Look at Sprawl and Air, Water Pollution

From today's Oregonian:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finds that [Columbia River] bridge planners did not adequately examine the potential for a [new I-5] bridge to induce sprawl, increase pollution and contaminate an aquifer that supplies Vancouver and Clark County's drinking water.

Bridge planners also didn't look at air pollution impacts throughout North Portland, especially the impacts on elderly and poor and racial minorities who live nearby.

Despite the lack of credible data on the impacts of a 12-lane bridge, the Portland City Council voted to support the project on Wednesday, over the objections of environmental leaders from Environment Oregon, 1000 Friends of Oregon, Audubon Society of Portland, and the Coalition for a Livable Future, as well as over 1000 local residents who submitted testimony against the bridge.

I raised concerns about the lack of data in a piece I wrote for the BlueOregon blog on Tuesday.

Who would be Oregon's first city to become carbon neutral?

The winds are changing at the coast. The Lincoln City Council hopes to work with the Westwind Stewardship Group, a organization that manages a 500-acre Westwind conservation area north of Otis.

If all goes right, Lincoln City will be the first city in Oregon to become carbon neutral.

"It shows enormous potential," councilor Rick Brissette said. "Just the idea that Lincoln City can become a zero-carbon community someday is just phenomenal.

"It's become a huge issue and a tourism-related issue now all over the country, with people only wanting to visit sustainable and environmentally sound communities on their vacations."

He's right. You can read more about the rise of the carbon-neutral city here.

You can read the entire article about Lincoln City's plans over at The Newport News-Times.

The debate paper vs. plastic is more aptly named plastic vs. anything is better

While away in Seatle, the person ahead of me in line at Pike's market - the only person ahead of me in a deep line that didn't have a cloth bag over their shoulder - sheepishly looked around and answered, "Yes, I need a bag."

I laughed a little inside my head. Wow, times have changed. He is actually so embarrassed that he didn't bring his own bag that he can't make eye contact with the clerk!

 

Still, the debate continues locally:

Paper or plastic?

Where does that plastic bag come from?

Plastic is a petroleum product - it comes from oil.

Plastic is a by-product of oil refining and accounts for 4% of the worlds total oil production. It is a 'biogeochemical' manipulation of certain properties of oil, into polymers. Plastic polymers are manufactured into five main types; plastic bags are made from polyethylene. Polyethylene, as a raw material, can be manipulated into any shape, size, form or color. It is watertight and can be made UV resistant. Anything can be printed on it and it can be reused.

For the most part, the whole process of making plastic bags requires only electricity (minus the large, fuel burning heavy machinery required to acquire the oil). The electricity used in the actual production and manufacturing of plastic bags comes from coal fire power plants, which, it is interesting to note, 50% of that electricity is generated from the burning of old tires (made from rubber which is essentially, plastic).

Learn more about paper vs. plastic at greenfeet.net.

Maybe if we didn't waste so many of our resources on such an unnecessary evil, we'd have cheaper prices at the pump, cleaner air and feel a little better not having to answer paper or plastic.

There are many alternatives to plastic bags: you can bring your own bag (BYOB - the most environmentally friendly choice) or urge your store to start using biodegradable or compostable bags.

But remember - the best way to shop is with your own reuseable bag. There are tons of styles out that and you'll look really cool doing it.

 

It is long overdue for Portland to shift from plastic. Let's make it happen!

Thinking about buying a truck? Better have $100,000

Truck owners are feeling the squeeze with gas prices still on the rise.

According to a recent NY Times article the cost of owning a pick-up truck will run you about $100,000 these days.

    "The F-250 is part of the first generation of mass-market vehicles — along with the Lincoln Navigator, Lexus LX 570 and a few others — to approach the six-figure mark. Now, if you walked into a showroom today and asked to see one of these trucks, the price tag wouldn’t be anywhere near $100,000. It would be much closer to $50,000."

So how do you end up less $100,000?

Read the entire article. It's great.

How Global Warming is Changing the World – and Our Lives

A Brown-Bag Presentation by photojournalist Gary Braasch.

WHEN: Monday, June 9, Noon - 1 PM
WHERE: Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Avenue Auditorium, 2nd floor

Braasch will share his extraordinary eight-year photo documentation of climate change featured in his new book, Earth Under Fire: How Global Warming is Changing the World.

Braasch is known for assignments for Smithsonian, Audubon, Discover, Scientific American, and Natural History magazines. He was awarded the Ansel Adams Award for conservation photography in 2006, and named Outstanding Nature Photographer in 2003. He is a "Legend Behind the Lens," an honor given by the Nikon Corporation.

OLCV Victories

Overall the exciting and historic 2008 Primary Election was a success. OLCV targeted eight races -- races we invested volunteer resources into and we had positive results in all but two.

We are celebrating huge victories three hotly contested Democratic primaries for the Legislature and three local races where our candidates are heading into run-offs in November with the lead.

We waged tough fights in two local races but lost.  Both were up-hill battles to begin with against candidates with far greater name recognition. But we are pleased with the energy and excitement of voters and volunteers despite the outcome.

The victory of Jules Kopel-Bailey in southeast Portland was a particularly sweet victory for voters as well as the environmental community. This was a tough 4 way primary, with two other strong candidates. Jules distinguished himself as an environmental leader, which helped carry him to victory. OLCV and Climate PAC were by far the largest supporters of Jules and his efforts to win and OLCV provided a huge portion of the grassroots contact in the campaign.

Eugene looks like it will have two high-profile local government races this fall, with both the Mayor's race and Lane County Commission race heading to run-offs.  In both cases, it will feel like a do-over. Both of our candidates (Kitty Piercy and Rob Handy) are ahead slightly, but not enough to overcome the fact that in both races there were third and fourth candidates filed who didn't campaign, but garnered just enough of the vote to prevent either of the two main candidates from getting beyond 50%.

Visit www.olcv.org/county_chapters to learn more about our local work.

Keep track of what's going on in Oregon environmental politics, sign up for OLCV's e-bulletin, a twice per month email newsletter.

OLCV's Election break-down:

House District 38 D Primary Chris Garrett  Winner 53%-47%

House District 42 D Primary Jules Kopel-Bailey Winner 41%-30%-27%

House District 49 D Primary  Nick Kahl  Winner 53%-47%

Portland City Council Pos. 2  Jim Middaugh Losing 62%-22% to Nick Fish, with three other candidates getting the remaining vote.  Fish wins it outright in the primary.

Multnomah County Commission # 4: Carla Piluso Winning with 48%-28% in a 4-way non-partisan primary.  Headed to run-off.

Salem Mayor  Lloyd Chapman    Losing 45%-55% to incumbent mayor Janet Taylor in a two-way non-partisan primary.  Taylor wins it outright in the primary.

Eugene Mayor  Kitty Piercy   Leading 48.3%-47.8% in a 4-way non-partisan primary.  Heading to a run-off.

Lane County Comm. (North)  Rob Handy Leading 48.7%-44.9% in a 4-way non-partisan primary.  Heading to run-off.

 

Overall the exciting and historic 2008 Primary Election was a success. OLCV targeted eight races -- races we invested volunteer resources into and we had positive results in all but two.

We are celebrating huge victories three hotly contested Democratic primaries for the Legislature and three local races where our candidates are heading into run-offs in November with the lead.

We waged tough fights in two local races but lost.  Both were up-hill battles to begin with against candidates with far greater name recognition. But we are pleased with the energy and excitement of voters and volunteers despite the outcome.

The victory of Jules Kopel-Bailey in southeast Portland was a particularly sweet victory for voters as well as the environmental community. This was a tough 4 way primary, with two other strong candidates. Jules distinguished himself as an environmental leader, which helped carry him to victory. OLCV and Climate PAC were by far the largest supporters of Jules and his efforts to win and OLCV provided a huge portion of the grassroots contact in the campaign.

Eugene looks like it will have two high-profile local government races this fall, with both the Mayor's race and Lane County Commission race heading to run-offs.  In both cases, it will feel like a do-over. Both of our candidates (Kitty Piercy and Rob Handy) are ahead slightly, but not enough to overcome the fact that in both races there were third and fourth candidates filed who didn't campaign, but garnered just enough of the vote to prevent either of the two main candidates from getting beyond 50%.

Visit www.olcv.org/county_chapters to learn more about our local work.

Keep track of what's going on in Oregon environmental politics, sign up for OLCV's e-bulletin, a twice per month email newsletter.

OLCV's Election break-down:

House District 38 D Primary Chris Garrett  Winner 53%-47%

House District 42 D Primary Jules Kopel-Bailey Winner 41%-30%-27%

House District 49 D Primary  Nick Kahl  Winner 53%-47%

Portland City Council Pos. 2  Jim Middaugh Losing 62%-22% to Nick Fish, with three other candidates getting the remaining vote.  Fish wins it outright in the primary.

Multnomah County Commission # 4: Carla Piluso Winning with 48%-28% in a 4-way non-partisan primary.  Headed to run-off.

Salem Mayor  Lloyd Chapman    Losing 45%-55% to incumbent mayor Janet Taylor in a two-way non-partisan primary.  Taylor wins it outright in the primary.

Eugene Mayor  Kitty Piercy   Leading 48.3%-47.8% in a 4-way non-partisan primary.  Heading to a run-off.

Lane County Comm. (North)  Rob Handy Leading 48.7%-44.9% in a 4-way non-partisan primary.  Heading to run-off.

 

How to Stop Global Warming

Global warming is happening and we're seeing the effects in our own communities. We need action from our leaders in Congress.

Speakers will talk about the local benefits of renewable energy and how Greenpeace is working to get Congress committed to stopping global warming. Local writer Geronimo Tagatac will read a story by a local student about how U.S will overcome global warming.

Activity centers will be set-up for children and adults to take immediate actions by making drawing, taking photos, picking up yard-signs etc. Refreshments and snacks will also be served.

WHEN: Saturday, May 31st at 4pm
WHERE: The Salem Public Library, Anderson Room Parking is available at the Library, which is located at 585 Liberty St. SE Salem, OR 97301.

Free and open to the public

To find out more and to RSVP please contact Sofia Gidlund at (619) 315 8764 or email Sofia.Gidlund@greenpeace.org

We can solve it.

The Alliance for Climate Protection, founded by Al Gore - to spearhead efforts to combat climate change at a global level, has launched a a multi-year, multi-faceted campaign that according to their press release is "designed to engage the American public and ignite a movement to address one of the most important issues facing civilization: solving the climate crisis."

“There is no problem that can’t be solved when Americans unite behind a shared commitment,” said Cathy Zoi, the CEO of the Alliance for Climate Protection. “Solving the climate crisis is a moral question that transcends who we vote for, which house we worship in or who signs our paychecks. It is past time for us to come together on this issue.”

If her name sounds familiar it could be because last year, Cathy Zoi addressed local, national, and international efforts to combat global warming here in Portland at OLCV's 10^th Annual Dinner for the Environment.  Zoi spoke to nearly 800 people, including more than 50 elected officials, about the critical role local leadership plays in the international campaign against global warming.

If you haven't caught the ad on tv yet, why not watch it here?

Climate change is affecting all of us and will especially affect our children. But there are many things we can do to limit our impact on the Earth today. From supporting incentives for more energy efficient buildings to electing pro-environment candidates that will protect our air and water and lead the fight against global warming; there is a lot of work to be done.

You can learn more about what you can do with 850 other like minds. Join us at OLCV's 11th Annual Dinner, April 25. Our keynote speaker is Christine Ervin, a leader and spokesperson on green building, green business and climate change. Christine was the first President and CEO of the US Green Building Council and former Director of the Oregon Department of Energy.

Find out more at www.olcv.org

PacifiCorp will shut down turbines to help endangered fish?

The Oregonian just posted an article announcing PacifiCorps' plans to shut down the hydropower turbines at Upper Klamath Lake's Link River Dam for four months each year to help endangered fish.

According to the Oregonian:

PacifiCorp will turn off the turbines in late summer through early fall so Lost River and Shortnose suckers can more successfully migrate to the southern part of the lake to spawn. The suckers are listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act.

The conservation group Oregon Wild signed onto the agreement after pressuring PacifiCorp to enhance its restoration efforts.

The deal is not part of the long-running and more comprehensive negotiations that have tried to settle differences among the Klamath River Basin's disparate interests, which include power generators, environmentalists, tribes and farmers. Still, PacifiCorp and Oregon Wild say the settlement offers a model for balancing the concerns of traditionally warring factions.

Read the entire article.