In the June edition of Coast River Business Journal Publisher Susan Trabucco writes a compelling commentary on energy production.
She says 'Energy production isn't pretty, but be clear on the reason you're against it"
In other words, she asks "What DO you want?"
Trabucco cites a recent Astoria Planning Commission workshop where wind energy was a topic in regard to the potential siting of wind power turbines in the city limits. She says when commissioners were asked their views on the project after touring a nearby wind farm the end result was that many now have reservations about an Astoria project. Wind turbines are noisy, they are large and, not visually appealing to some. It's not that wind power has some inherent shortfalls (they do) it's just something some would rather not have in their backyard. Sound familiar?
Read the Publisher's Note. I think you'll find that Trabucco has hit the nail right on the head.
Comments expressed
May 27, 2010
Budget Woes Deepen
People aren't smoking enough.
The State budget office reported today that they seriously overestimated how much the cigarette tax would bring in and as of now the immediate deficit has grown from $560 million to just a little over $577 million.
Today it was reported that legislative republicans and at least one democrat are calling for a special session rather than follow the Governor's plan to make across the board cuts. This was before the latest increase in the deficit.
The word from the Governor's office is he will resist a special session but the ballots are going out to lawmakers that could override both the Governor and the foot-dragging Democrat leadership just as soon as hell freezes over. I don't see the majority democrats willing to rush back to Salem to face the music on this one. Especially not when so many face bids for re-election. They just don't trust the Republicans to keep politics out of the discussion. No kidding.
The State budget office reported today that they seriously overestimated how much the cigarette tax would bring in and as of now the immediate deficit has grown from $560 million to just a little over $577 million.
Today it was reported that legislative republicans and at least one democrat are calling for a special session rather than follow the Governor's plan to make across the board cuts. This was before the latest increase in the deficit.
The word from the Governor's office is he will resist a special session but the ballots are going out to lawmakers that could override both the Governor and the foot-dragging Democrat leadership just as soon as hell freezes over. I don't see the majority democrats willing to rush back to Salem to face the music on this one. Especially not when so many face bids for re-election. They just don't trust the Republicans to keep politics out of the discussion. No kidding.
A Blast From The Past
We learned quite a lot about the ship breaking industry several years ago when a proposal for that kind of work at Tongue Point hit the news.
At the time the company making the proposal was looking at locating at Tongue Point, using the old finger piers and hauling in some big ships to dismantle for scrap. It never went anywhere but did cause a great deal of heated discussion.
Now the Port of Astoria has been approached by another company seeking to do the same kind of work on a smaller scale. In our news this morning Port Commissioner Floyd Holcom suggested that the people making the proposal take a hard look at the previous proposal before moving forward. Good Idea.
As long as we are talking about the Port I'll just throw this in: I noticed the other day that some road building is going on adjacent to the Englund Marine and Industrial Supply. The new road seems to be heading toward the upland end of Pier 3 where the Port is looking at bringing log exports back to the docks. I may have missed it but has the Port signed a deal with the log handling outfit yet? I also have heard that the State agency that put up the money for Bornsteins to build their new plant has started an investigation into how that log operation may impact their investment in the processing plant. I also understand that at least one of the Port Commissioners is just hopping mad about it and wants to know who blew the whistle.
At least happenings at the Port are rarely boring.
At the time the company making the proposal was looking at locating at Tongue Point, using the old finger piers and hauling in some big ships to dismantle for scrap. It never went anywhere but did cause a great deal of heated discussion.
Now the Port of Astoria has been approached by another company seeking to do the same kind of work on a smaller scale. In our news this morning Port Commissioner Floyd Holcom suggested that the people making the proposal take a hard look at the previous proposal before moving forward. Good Idea.
As long as we are talking about the Port I'll just throw this in: I noticed the other day that some road building is going on adjacent to the Englund Marine and Industrial Supply. The new road seems to be heading toward the upland end of Pier 3 where the Port is looking at bringing log exports back to the docks. I may have missed it but has the Port signed a deal with the log handling outfit yet? I also have heard that the State agency that put up the money for Bornsteins to build their new plant has started an investigation into how that log operation may impact their investment in the processing plant. I also understand that at least one of the Port Commissioners is just hopping mad about it and wants to know who blew the whistle.
At least happenings at the Port are rarely boring.
Best Intentions
Jay Flint's job title is Columbia Pacific Strategy Coordinator for Shorebank Enterprise Cascadia. As such Flint is the guy who looks for ways to mitigate concerns locals may have about the impending National Heritage Area here.
Flint's approach seems to be one of coming up with ways to counter arguments against the formation of the NHA by making changes in the packaging without changing the contents.
In our interview today he admitted as much.
Are you concerned about people using the National Heritage Area designation to steer land use decisions? Okay, we change the name of the designation to something like "Columbia Pacific Heritage Investment Zone". That might actually work. It really changes nothing but it does better define what this thing is envisioned to do over the long term and adding the words "investment zone" emphasizes that NHA's are not about freezing everything in time.
On the other hand, there are those who would look at this one example of flexibility and charge that SBEC is willing to tell you anything you want to hear to gain your support.
I think it's possible that SBEC could end up outsmarting itself with this approach regardless of best intentions.
As to questions regarding Shorebank's financial position or the quality of it's management Flint isn't the guy to ask. Many of you are already well aware of the institution's internal problems and Flint did talk about that in responding to questions about the attempt to separate SBEC from the parent corporation.
I'm satisfied that the animal we are dealing with now is pretty much the same animal we have been dealing with when it comes to Shorebank if for no other reason than the players are the same.
This doesn't address fundamental objections to using tax dollars in this fashion. The appropriation process will be interesting to watch when that comes around in a few years. I suspect that in order to enlist the cooperation of enough members of Congress in securing the $5 million Shorebank wants upfront there will be loads of other project appropriations attached.
Flint's approach seems to be one of coming up with ways to counter arguments against the formation of the NHA by making changes in the packaging without changing the contents.
In our interview today he admitted as much.
Are you concerned about people using the National Heritage Area designation to steer land use decisions? Okay, we change the name of the designation to something like "Columbia Pacific Heritage Investment Zone". That might actually work. It really changes nothing but it does better define what this thing is envisioned to do over the long term and adding the words "investment zone" emphasizes that NHA's are not about freezing everything in time.
On the other hand, there are those who would look at this one example of flexibility and charge that SBEC is willing to tell you anything you want to hear to gain your support.
I think it's possible that SBEC could end up outsmarting itself with this approach regardless of best intentions.
As to questions regarding Shorebank's financial position or the quality of it's management Flint isn't the guy to ask. Many of you are already well aware of the institution's internal problems and Flint did talk about that in responding to questions about the attempt to separate SBEC from the parent corporation.
I'm satisfied that the animal we are dealing with now is pretty much the same animal we have been dealing with when it comes to Shorebank if for no other reason than the players are the same.
This doesn't address fundamental objections to using tax dollars in this fashion. The appropriation process will be interesting to watch when that comes around in a few years. I suspect that in order to enlist the cooperation of enough members of Congress in securing the $5 million Shorebank wants upfront there will be loads of other project appropriations attached.
May 26, 2010
Less Tax Collection = Big Hole To Fill
The State Economist has released the latest news on Oregon's runaway spending habit. He estimates government will be short $560-million after a big dip in tax collections.
The Governor is calling for across the board spending cuts to put Oregon's budget back in balance. He says 10% should do it. I'm thinking 20% is probably closer to what's really needed.
I applaud the Governor's move to grab the reins and cut government(he said with tongue firmly planted in cheek)at long last. Well done sir!
The Governor is calling for across the board spending cuts to put Oregon's budget back in balance. He says 10% should do it. I'm thinking 20% is probably closer to what's really needed.
I applaud the Governor's move to grab the reins and cut government(he said with tongue firmly planted in cheek)at long last. Well done sir!
May 24, 2010
Credit for the following goes to the North Coast Oregon Blog. More on the stink coming out of public officials handling of LNG and their various conflicts of interest...
"We've been very straightforward," said Cathy Tortorici, NOAA Fisheries Oregon Coast/ Lower Columbia Habitat Branch chief. As of early this week she said she had not yet seen a hard copy of the FERC request and guidance.Newspapers around the Northwest cut, copied and pasted the quotes into their articles during the first weeks of January 2010. "It could take longer than 135 days" because of the complexity of the issues involved, Tortorici said. Her staff is working to develop a timeline for completing the BiOp.The decision to be made was whether the construction and operation of a liquefied natural gas terminal in the lower river would jeopardize the survival of 13 Columbia River basin salmon and steelhead stocks that are listed under the Endangered Species Act. The agency that would make that decision was NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Services and the ominous warning from the agency's local branch in charge of the evaluation, Lower Columbia Habitat Branch, was that the answer would take a long, long time in coming.What was left out of the articles as they circulated in January was the fact that the chief of this local branch, Cathy Tortorici, who was influencing the decision making at NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Services, had what many might think of as a slight conflict of interest. Tortorici has also been serving as the President of the Willamette RiverKeepers (WRK), who often joined their sister group, Columbia RiverKeepers (CRK), in protesting LNG on the Columbia River, along with protesting pipelines that may be beneficiaries of the new influx of natural gas.
READ IT ALL HERE: http://northcoastoregon.com/clients/northcoastoregon/fosters-emails-answer-the-puzzle-and-ask-more-questions-p3178.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No
"We've been very straightforward," said Cathy Tortorici, NOAA Fisheries Oregon Coast/ Lower Columbia Habitat Branch chief. As of early this week she said she had not yet seen a hard copy of the FERC request and guidance.Newspapers around the Northwest cut, copied and pasted the quotes into their articles during the first weeks of January 2010. "It could take longer than 135 days" because of the complexity of the issues involved, Tortorici said. Her staff is working to develop a timeline for completing the BiOp.The decision to be made was whether the construction and operation of a liquefied natural gas terminal in the lower river would jeopardize the survival of 13 Columbia River basin salmon and steelhead stocks that are listed under the Endangered Species Act. The agency that would make that decision was NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Services and the ominous warning from the agency's local branch in charge of the evaluation, Lower Columbia Habitat Branch, was that the answer would take a long, long time in coming.What was left out of the articles as they circulated in January was the fact that the chief of this local branch, Cathy Tortorici, who was influencing the decision making at NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Services, had what many might think of as a slight conflict of interest. Tortorici has also been serving as the President of the Willamette RiverKeepers (WRK), who often joined their sister group, Columbia RiverKeepers (CRK), in protesting LNG on the Columbia River, along with protesting pipelines that may be beneficiaries of the new influx of natural gas.
READ IT ALL HERE: http://northcoastoregon.com/clients/northcoastoregon/fosters-emails-answer-the-puzzle-and-ask-more-questions-p3178.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No
May 20, 2010
Shore Bank Interview Coming Up
I'm working with the people at Shore Bank Enterprise Cascadia to set up a live interview on the morning show next week. We'll be talking about what might have changed since we talked a month ago when the NHA study was released. We'll also talk about that curious email from Shore Bank that started this whole thing.
One of our blog comments on this was also interesting regarding how the NHA designation might be used in land use discussions or perhaps in public hearings testimony on land use decisions even though there have been unending assurances from the parties involved that NHA designations have no bearing on land use or property transactions. A representative of Shore Bank apparently said that is would not be allowed. I wonder how they plan to control that?
One of our blog comments on this was also interesting regarding how the NHA designation might be used in land use discussions or perhaps in public hearings testimony on land use decisions even though there have been unending assurances from the parties involved that NHA designations have no bearing on land use or property transactions. A representative of Shore Bank apparently said that is would not be allowed. I wonder how they plan to control that?
What we will all lose...
I just got this from Joni Marcks
Joni is a local who ran the office in Astoria for Bradwood Landing for years. It's worthy of a re-print here.
What we will all lose...
In all of the pro and con letters to the editor I've seen since Bradwood closed up shop, I notice there's not been much said about what our community will lose. Many people might not realize that Bradwood Landing contributed more than $100,000 per year to arts, kids, senior programs, the needy, and sponsorships for community events locally and regionally.
Some were major contributions of $5,000 or more, but often, Bradwood helped groups at a time they needed help. We made thousands of free photo copies for events. I offered free notary services. And, Pete Hackett used his carpentry skills practically every week. Here are just a few organizations and events will no longer get the help they so desperately need:
CASA
The Lighthouse for Kids
United Way
Columbia Memorial Hospital Foundation
Food Banks in Clatsop, Pacific and Columbia Counties
The Scandinavian Festival
Astoria Regatta
Astoria Music Festival
Astoria Warrenton Chamber of Commerce, which includes all of the events they produce, such as the Crab Festival, Great Columbia Crossing, etc.
Astoria Warrenton Kiwanis Club
Astoria Rotary
The Wishing Tree and other Thanksgiving & Christmas programs for the needy
Clatskanie Kiwanis Club
Turning Point Community Center, Clatskanie
Local sports teams
Clatsop County Fair and Rodeo
Loaves & Fishes
Port of Play
After the hurricane of 2007, Bradwood started the "Christmas Wishes" program with $20,000, partnering with New Northwest Broadcasters. Over the life of the program, $50,000 was given to very needy families. Many of the gifts came directly from our employees. I could paper a wall with the thank you notes and tears of joy.
Bradwood never felt that they were "buying" their way into the community. When we could help someone, we did. Pete and I volunteered hundreds of hours to make our community a better place. Over the last 5 years, I am proud to say our company made a difference.
The people opposed to LNG are cheering these days...but when all is said and done, many of our local non-profits will be hurting. And that's what is very sad. I would encourage everyone to please dig deep and give what you can to our local non-profits to help make up for the money they will no longer be getting from Bradwood Landing. And, to the anti LNG group, your work is not done; I challenge you to turn your energy and money into efforts that support these local groups.
Joni is a local who ran the office in Astoria for Bradwood Landing for years. It's worthy of a re-print here.
What we will all lose...
In all of the pro and con letters to the editor I've seen since Bradwood closed up shop, I notice there's not been much said about what our community will lose. Many people might not realize that Bradwood Landing contributed more than $100,000 per year to arts, kids, senior programs, the needy, and sponsorships for community events locally and regionally.
Some were major contributions of $5,000 or more, but often, Bradwood helped groups at a time they needed help. We made thousands of free photo copies for events. I offered free notary services. And, Pete Hackett used his carpentry skills practically every week. Here are just a few organizations and events will no longer get the help they so desperately need:
CASA
The Lighthouse for Kids
United Way
Columbia Memorial Hospital Foundation
Food Banks in Clatsop, Pacific and Columbia Counties
The Scandinavian Festival
Astoria Regatta
Astoria Music Festival
Astoria Warrenton Chamber of Commerce, which includes all of the events they produce, such as the Crab Festival, Great Columbia Crossing, etc.
Astoria Warrenton Kiwanis Club
Astoria Rotary
The Wishing Tree and other Thanksgiving & Christmas programs for the needy
Clatskanie Kiwanis Club
Turning Point Community Center, Clatskanie
Local sports teams
Clatsop County Fair and Rodeo
Loaves & Fishes
Port of Play
After the hurricane of 2007, Bradwood started the "Christmas Wishes" program with $20,000, partnering with New Northwest Broadcasters. Over the life of the program, $50,000 was given to very needy families. Many of the gifts came directly from our employees. I could paper a wall with the thank you notes and tears of joy.
Bradwood never felt that they were "buying" their way into the community. When we could help someone, we did. Pete and I volunteered hundreds of hours to make our community a better place. Over the last 5 years, I am proud to say our company made a difference.
The people opposed to LNG are cheering these days...but when all is said and done, many of our local non-profits will be hurting. And that's what is very sad. I would encourage everyone to please dig deep and give what you can to our local non-profits to help make up for the money they will no longer be getting from Bradwood Landing. And, to the anti LNG group, your work is not done; I challenge you to turn your energy and money into efforts that support these local groups.
Senator Wants Emails
Senate Republican leader Ted Ferrioli wants those emails that the DOJ says are off limits regarding their former environmental lawyer Brent Foster.
Foster quit his position when he lied about a field trip he took with his old buddies from Columbia Riverkeeper to Hood River. Riverkeeper is trying to shut down yet another Oregon business. This one makes fruit juice. Riverkeeper activists went to take some discharge samples and Foster went along then, by his own admission, misrepresented to his boss the reason he was there.
The emails in question have a Bradwood Landing connection and Ferrioli wants to know if the state DOJ had an active hand in killing a project that broke no laws. That's basically what it breaks down to.
The Senator may be on to something since State AG Kroger is anti-LNG and he hired former Columbia Riverkeeper head Brent Foster to prosecute environmental crimes.
Ferrioli says at the end of the day there may be nothing to it but we won't know until all the information is in the public spotlight.
Foster quit his position when he lied about a field trip he took with his old buddies from Columbia Riverkeeper to Hood River. Riverkeeper is trying to shut down yet another Oregon business. This one makes fruit juice. Riverkeeper activists went to take some discharge samples and Foster went along then, by his own admission, misrepresented to his boss the reason he was there.
The emails in question have a Bradwood Landing connection and Ferrioli wants to know if the state DOJ had an active hand in killing a project that broke no laws. That's basically what it breaks down to.
The Senator may be on to something since State AG Kroger is anti-LNG and he hired former Columbia Riverkeeper head Brent Foster to prosecute environmental crimes.
Ferrioli says at the end of the day there may be nothing to it but we won't know until all the information is in the public spotlight.
Check Out Shorebank Comments
An earlier post here poking fun at Shorebank Enterprise Cascadia as resulted in some very interesting comments. Check it out and feel free to join in....
tf
tf
May 18, 2010
Sweeping Change
If the first count in tonight's election holds, the Clatsop County Commission will be a very different animal when the new commissioners are sworn in.
With over 62 % of the vote Scott Lee replaces Jeff Hazen.
With 55% Peter Hutula takes John Raichl's spot.
With 57% Debra Birkby takes Robert Mushen's seat.
There are no do-overs, no general election run-off because the winning candidates each garnered over 51%.
As pollsters predicted the Republicans have selected Chris Dudley as their best hope of keeping John Kitzhaber out of the Governor's mansion.
With over 62 % of the vote Scott Lee replaces Jeff Hazen.
With 55% Peter Hutula takes John Raichl's spot.
With 57% Debra Birkby takes Robert Mushen's seat.
There are no do-overs, no general election run-off because the winning candidates each garnered over 51%.
As pollsters predicted the Republicans have selected Chris Dudley as their best hope of keeping John Kitzhaber out of the Governor's mansion.
When ShoreBank Isn't ShoreBank
Just got an email from John Berdes the CEO of Shorebank Enterprise Cascadia with an attached FAQ that explains the difference between his Shorebank (The proposed entity to be in charge of the proposed National Heritage Area) and other Shorebanks.
Basically his Shorebank was created by the other Shorebank but now has no connection to the other Shorebank and would continue to do business even if the other Shorebanks didn't exist.
You know, it's been a very long day today and when I read this message the one question that immediately sprang to mind was "why call it Shorebank at all?"
Okay, I admit to being a little tired but it just seems to me that if the organization felt there was enough confusion about this to warrant sending this email to everyone in local media it might be that the easiest way out is to just
change the name to reflect the separation.
I suggest " The ENTIRELY SEPARATE SHOREBANK ENTERPRISE CASCADIA WHICH BEARS NO CONNECTION TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS NAMED SHOREBANK AND ARE ACTUALLY BANKS AS OPPOSED TO US AS WE ACTUALLY ARE NOT"
It would make a very impressive business card don't you think?
Good night everybody....
Basically his Shorebank was created by the other Shorebank but now has no connection to the other Shorebank and would continue to do business even if the other Shorebanks didn't exist.
You know, it's been a very long day today and when I read this message the one question that immediately sprang to mind was "why call it Shorebank at all?"
Okay, I admit to being a little tired but it just seems to me that if the organization felt there was enough confusion about this to warrant sending this email to everyone in local media it might be that the easiest way out is to just
change the name to reflect the separation.
I suggest " The ENTIRELY SEPARATE SHOREBANK ENTERPRISE CASCADIA WHICH BEARS NO CONNECTION TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS NAMED SHOREBANK AND ARE ACTUALLY BANKS AS OPPOSED TO US AS WE ACTUALLY ARE NOT"
It would make a very impressive business card don't you think?
Good night everybody....
Pipeline Hearing Rescheduled
OREGON LNG PIPELINE HEARING RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 10
A public hearing on the consolidated land-use application from Oregon LNG for a proposed natural gas pipeline has been rescheduled to June 10.
The hearing will begin at 1 p.m. at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria, before Hearings Officer Peter Livingston.
Oregon LNG/Oregon Pipeline LLC has applied to Clatsop County to install 41 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline serving its proposed liquefied natural gas terminal at the Skipanon Peninsula in Warrenton.
The pipeline route runs in a generally southeasterly direction from Warrenton. The proposed pipeline is 121 miles long overall and would connect to a natural gas hub in Molalla. The terminal project itself is within the city limits of Warrenton and is not part of the pipeline land-use application.
The proposed pipeline route through Clatsop County crosses seven different zoning designations and three special overlay zones. Natural gas pipelines are allowed in those zones as outright permitted uses or conditional uses.
The entire application and accompanying documents are available on the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us . The application file can also be viewed at the Transportation and Development Services office, 800 Exchange St., Suite 100 during normal business hours.
The planning office will accept written testimony on the application until 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 9. Comments may be faxed to (503) 338-3666, emailed to comdev@co.clatsop.or.us or mailed to the Clatsop County Transportation and Development Services Department, 800 Exchange St., Suite 100, Astoria OR 97103.
A public hearing on the consolidated land-use application from Oregon LNG for a proposed natural gas pipeline has been rescheduled to June 10.
The hearing will begin at 1 p.m. at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria, before Hearings Officer Peter Livingston.
Oregon LNG/Oregon Pipeline LLC has applied to Clatsop County to install 41 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline serving its proposed liquefied natural gas terminal at the Skipanon Peninsula in Warrenton.
The pipeline route runs in a generally southeasterly direction from Warrenton. The proposed pipeline is 121 miles long overall and would connect to a natural gas hub in Molalla. The terminal project itself is within the city limits of Warrenton and is not part of the pipeline land-use application.
The proposed pipeline route through Clatsop County crosses seven different zoning designations and three special overlay zones. Natural gas pipelines are allowed in those zones as outright permitted uses or conditional uses.
The entire application and accompanying documents are available on the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us . The application file can also be viewed at the Transportation and Development Services office, 800 Exchange St., Suite 100 during normal business hours.
The planning office will accept written testimony on the application until 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 9. Comments may be faxed to (503) 338-3666, emailed to comdev@co.clatsop.or.us or mailed to the Clatsop County Transportation and Development Services Department, 800 Exchange St., Suite 100, Astoria OR 97103.
The Nature Of Energy
Fact: The United States has no energy policy
Fact: Nature abhors a vacuum
Outcome: Instead of comprehensive policy and the leadership to provide it we have some vague ideas about what makes sense, no clear direction, patchwork regulation, over regulation, under regulation, decisions made on a gut level without supporting facts, a tendency to throw money at the problem with no clear outcomes...etc...etc.
At a Capitol rally in Salem on January 14th of last year newly elected State Attorney General John Kroger stated "there were a number of reasons to oppose pipelines and terminals, but the main concern was dependence on foreign energy.
"For the last 50 years, this country has had no energy policy," he said. "Do you want LNG from Iran and Russia or do you want energy independence?"
The crowd preferred the latter.
Kroger said he was bound to protect Oregon law and wouldn't "twist the law into a pretzel" to deter interested companies, but said he would welcome legislation to make state permitting more stringent."
Kroger is right about the lack of policy that could drive our country in a logical direction. The term "energy independence" is pure political-speak designed as a crowd pleaser. His last comment regarding not twisting the law into a pretzel to deter interested companies has proven to be less than truthful.
Kroger hired Brent Foster to run the environmental law side of the state AG office. Foster, the former head of Columbia Riverkeeper a rabid anti-LNG group, provided advice to permitting agencies that further damages Oregon's business image to say nothing of calling Kroger's operation of the AG's office into question. One wonders just how much more stringent state permitting needs to be? Perhaps it's more an issue of clarity.
This takes us back to where we started.
Without a clear national energy policy on which to build you end up with people like Foster going rogue creating policy that suits their personal view. This doesn't just trickle down. It rushes like a raging torrent down the pipeline impacting our ability to create more taxpayers through job creation.
That's what I think. How about you?
Fact: Nature abhors a vacuum
Outcome: Instead of comprehensive policy and the leadership to provide it we have some vague ideas about what makes sense, no clear direction, patchwork regulation, over regulation, under regulation, decisions made on a gut level without supporting facts, a tendency to throw money at the problem with no clear outcomes...etc...etc.
At a Capitol rally in Salem on January 14th of last year newly elected State Attorney General John Kroger stated "there were a number of reasons to oppose pipelines and terminals, but the main concern was dependence on foreign energy.
"For the last 50 years, this country has had no energy policy," he said. "Do you want LNG from Iran and Russia or do you want energy independence?"
The crowd preferred the latter.
Kroger said he was bound to protect Oregon law and wouldn't "twist the law into a pretzel" to deter interested companies, but said he would welcome legislation to make state permitting more stringent."
Kroger is right about the lack of policy that could drive our country in a logical direction. The term "energy independence" is pure political-speak designed as a crowd pleaser. His last comment regarding not twisting the law into a pretzel to deter interested companies has proven to be less than truthful.
Kroger hired Brent Foster to run the environmental law side of the state AG office. Foster, the former head of Columbia Riverkeeper a rabid anti-LNG group, provided advice to permitting agencies that further damages Oregon's business image to say nothing of calling Kroger's operation of the AG's office into question. One wonders just how much more stringent state permitting needs to be? Perhaps it's more an issue of clarity.
This takes us back to where we started.
Without a clear national energy policy on which to build you end up with people like Foster going rogue creating policy that suits their personal view. This doesn't just trickle down. It rushes like a raging torrent down the pipeline impacting our ability to create more taxpayers through job creation.
That's what I think. How about you?
OLNG Pipeline Hearing Set
With the Bradwood Landing LNG project in suspension and the LNG project in Coos Bay on the ropes attention turns to the Lower Columbia's first LNG project. Oregon LNG is entering the public arena with the consideration of a consolidated land use application for the pipeline necessary to carry the natural gas the Warrenton project will provide.
A public hearing will take place Thursday, May 27 on the consolidated land-use application from Oregon LNG for a proposed natural gas pipeline.
The hearing will begin at 1 p.m. at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria, before Hearings Officer Peter Livingston.
Oregon LNG/Oregon Pipeline LLC has applied to Clatsop County to install 41 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline serving its proposed liquefied natural gas terminal at the Skipanon Peninsula in Warrenton.
The pipeline route runs in a generally southeasterly direction from Warrenton. The proposed pipeline is 121 miles long overall and would connect to a natural gas hub in Molalla. The terminal project itself is within the city limits of Warrenton and is not part of the pipeline land-use application.
The proposed pipeline route through Clatsop County crosses seven different zoning designations and three special overlay zones. Natural gas pipelines are allowed in those zones as outright permitted uses or conditional uses.
The entire application and accompanying documents are available on the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us. The application file can also be viewed at the Transportation and Development Services office, 800 Exchange St., Suite 100 during normal business hours.
The planning office will accept written testimony on the application until 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 26. Comments may be faxed to (503) 338-3666, emailed to comdev@co.clatsop.or.us or mailed to the Clatsop County Transportation and Development Services Department, 800 Exchange St., Suite 100, Astoria OR 97103.
The proposed terminal itself falls under Warrenton's planning responsibilities. On another front, tonight the Port of Astoria may complete it's settlement with Oregon LNG over the sublease for the Skipanon site that could include an additional 5+ acres of land owned by the Port.
A public hearing will take place Thursday, May 27 on the consolidated land-use application from Oregon LNG for a proposed natural gas pipeline.
The hearing will begin at 1 p.m. at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria, before Hearings Officer Peter Livingston.
Oregon LNG/Oregon Pipeline LLC has applied to Clatsop County to install 41 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline serving its proposed liquefied natural gas terminal at the Skipanon Peninsula in Warrenton.
The pipeline route runs in a generally southeasterly direction from Warrenton. The proposed pipeline is 121 miles long overall and would connect to a natural gas hub in Molalla. The terminal project itself is within the city limits of Warrenton and is not part of the pipeline land-use application.
The proposed pipeline route through Clatsop County crosses seven different zoning designations and three special overlay zones. Natural gas pipelines are allowed in those zones as outright permitted uses or conditional uses.
The entire application and accompanying documents are available on the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us. The application file can also be viewed at the Transportation and Development Services office, 800 Exchange St., Suite 100 during normal business hours.
The planning office will accept written testimony on the application until 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 26. Comments may be faxed to (503) 338-3666, emailed to comdev@co.clatsop.or.us or mailed to the Clatsop County Transportation and Development Services Department, 800 Exchange St., Suite 100, Astoria OR 97103.
The proposed terminal itself falls under Warrenton's planning responsibilities. On another front, tonight the Port of Astoria may complete it's settlement with Oregon LNG over the sublease for the Skipanon site that could include an additional 5+ acres of land owned by the Port.
May 11, 2010
The Neverending Story
This might be completely off-topic but I thought it was interesting.
The first thing that came to mind when I heard that Ridley Scott is bringing Robin Hood to the big screen with Russell Crowe in the title role was "Again? Really?"
This led to a little research on Robin and just how many times the story has been portrayed. It's quite remarkable how many times film makers have pulled out this old chestnut. The first
Robin Hood film was a silent flick that came out in 1908. Since that time we've barely missed a decade when multiple films and television shows didn't hit the big screen or the small one. I lost count.
We really love this story.
We've loved some version of it since the 12th or 13th century when Robin Hood was the subject of many popular ballads. William Shakespeare made reference to Robin and his Merry Men. Robin was a commoner in the beginning mythology but by the 15th century he was portrayed as the dispossessed nobleman hero we recognize today. How many of us grew up in the 50's and 60's watching Richard Greene as Robin on television? (and still can't get the theme song out of our minds once somebody starts it)
I wonder if a correlation can be made between the release of Robin Hood related entertainment and those times when the public is most dissatisfied with government and feeling absolutely taxed to death. If so this latest release from Scott is right on the money (so to speak).
May 10, 2010
Oregon's Next Governor
The race for Governor of Oregon this election cycle presents some clear choices. You can vote for more of what we've had or you can vote for pure special interest control, or you can vote for someone who has had enough excuses and wants to take the harder road toward fixing state government.
You can vote for a former professional basketball player who has leveraged his job in the NBA very effectively but has only recently taken an interest in politics. Chris Dudley, according to associated press, is the odds on favorite to get the republican nomination because of name familiarity and his outstanding fundraising skills.
Insiders put him against John Kitzhaber or perhaps Bill Bradbury. Does Chris know where Salem is? Has he ever actually been there? Yes I know, he's a Yale grad. He knows how to use GPS navigation so if elected he will undoubtedly be able to find his way to the Governor's Mansion.
Chris says if he is elected he will appoint a budget officer within his office and seems to think he will conduct regular agency audits to cut waste..Isn't there already a state agency responsible for that? What a maverick this guy is.....Such a maverick that he never voted in an election
He seems to have little interest in doing much more than winning a popularity contest. After reading his plan for Oregon I was curious about who might have actually written it. It's pure hogwash but it's the kind of hogwash people buy by the gallon in good times and bad. His campaign is about friending on Facebook and he twitters his way around the state.
Phil Knight loves him. Just gave him another $50,000. I think Phil is like most people who would settle for nearly anything to keep John Kitzhaber out of the Governor's office.
Can't republicans do a just a little better than this?
You can vote for a former professional basketball player who has leveraged his job in the NBA very effectively but has only recently taken an interest in politics. Chris Dudley, according to associated press, is the odds on favorite to get the republican nomination because of name familiarity and his outstanding fundraising skills.
Insiders put him against John Kitzhaber or perhaps Bill Bradbury. Does Chris know where Salem is? Has he ever actually been there? Yes I know, he's a Yale grad. He knows how to use GPS navigation so if elected he will undoubtedly be able to find his way to the Governor's Mansion.
Chris says if he is elected he will appoint a budget officer within his office and seems to think he will conduct regular agency audits to cut waste..Isn't there already a state agency responsible for that? What a maverick this guy is.....Such a maverick that he never voted in an election
He seems to have little interest in doing much more than winning a popularity contest. After reading his plan for Oregon I was curious about who might have actually written it. It's pure hogwash but it's the kind of hogwash people buy by the gallon in good times and bad. His campaign is about friending on Facebook and he twitters his way around the state.
Phil Knight loves him. Just gave him another $50,000. I think Phil is like most people who would settle for nearly anything to keep John Kitzhaber out of the Governor's office.
Can't republicans do a just a little better than this?
May 06, 2010
We're Back
A very interesting and relaxing cruise this year.
We flew to Oahu and boarded the Carnival Spirit for 12 days of cruising the islands and then crossing the Pacific to debark at Vancouver B.C. There was a large contingent of Australians aboard who continued their cruising to Alaska this morning.
On our first night, by chance, we dined with a couple from Sydney and found that we had a great deal in common. He teaches refrigeration engineering and my father was a refrigeration engineer. She was raised on the Oregon coast and met her husband while she was an exchange student in Australia. It was quite a surprise to find that they both knew a great deal about Astoria. We talked about health care, politics and travel and sampled a selection of Australian wines produced in wine country not far from their home in the Sydney suburbs. It was a great first day.
On the Big Island of Hawaii I met a fellow who makes his living by fishing and by photographing the active lava flows still pouring into the ocean. He hikes for miles over the flows looking for some very dramatic shots and then sells those at a roadside stand near the Volcano National Park. One picture really caught my attention. It shows two guys bank fishing within just a few hundred feet of a molten lava flow spouting into the ocean. Not something you would expect to see.
In Kona a family friend picked us up and toured us around. He then took us to his beautiful home on the slopes of the mountain overlooking Kona harbor where his wife had spent the last couple of days preparing a feast in our honor. There we tried and loved the purple sweet potatoes, and various seafood dishes she had prepared. Of course she also served SPAM with pineapple which is a big island staple food. Hawaiians consume more SPAM than anyone in the world. In fact the weekend we were in Oahu there was a huge SPAM festival taking place in Waikiki that shut down the main streets for hours.
The last five days we were at sea. No phone calls. No emails. Heaven.
Of course I'm making up for that today!
I wasn't surprised to hear that Bradwood Landing had suspended operations. There have been hints over the past few months that things were getting tight financially for Northern Star LLC. I suspect they will come back quietly once another backer comes forward.
I was surprised to hear that Skip Haukie was criticized by former chamber director Roger Rocka for saying a simple thank you to Commissioner Jeff Hazen at the Crab feed and Seafood Festival.
It's usually appropriate to recognize the efforts of those who contribute to the success of a community event. Roger seems to think that's wrong even though he thought it was perfectly acceptable to advertise a local performance of Cabaret in Astoria a few years ago with swastika graphics on big signs at the gateway to Astoria. He pleaded with me over the matter when I found it unacceptable and made it a public issue. Roger's public comments seem a little silly on this Hazen matter.
I'll be back on the air Monday morning after taking a few days to get caught up on administrative matters.
It's good to be home.
We flew to Oahu and boarded the Carnival Spirit for 12 days of cruising the islands and then crossing the Pacific to debark at Vancouver B.C. There was a large contingent of Australians aboard who continued their cruising to Alaska this morning.
On our first night, by chance, we dined with a couple from Sydney and found that we had a great deal in common. He teaches refrigeration engineering and my father was a refrigeration engineer. She was raised on the Oregon coast and met her husband while she was an exchange student in Australia. It was quite a surprise to find that they both knew a great deal about Astoria. We talked about health care, politics and travel and sampled a selection of Australian wines produced in wine country not far from their home in the Sydney suburbs. It was a great first day.
On the Big Island of Hawaii I met a fellow who makes his living by fishing and by photographing the active lava flows still pouring into the ocean. He hikes for miles over the flows looking for some very dramatic shots and then sells those at a roadside stand near the Volcano National Park. One picture really caught my attention. It shows two guys bank fishing within just a few hundred feet of a molten lava flow spouting into the ocean. Not something you would expect to see.
In Kona a family friend picked us up and toured us around. He then took us to his beautiful home on the slopes of the mountain overlooking Kona harbor where his wife had spent the last couple of days preparing a feast in our honor. There we tried and loved the purple sweet potatoes, and various seafood dishes she had prepared. Of course she also served SPAM with pineapple which is a big island staple food. Hawaiians consume more SPAM than anyone in the world. In fact the weekend we were in Oahu there was a huge SPAM festival taking place in Waikiki that shut down the main streets for hours.
The last five days we were at sea. No phone calls. No emails. Heaven.
Of course I'm making up for that today!
I wasn't surprised to hear that Bradwood Landing had suspended operations. There have been hints over the past few months that things were getting tight financially for Northern Star LLC. I suspect they will come back quietly once another backer comes forward.
I was surprised to hear that Skip Haukie was criticized by former chamber director Roger Rocka for saying a simple thank you to Commissioner Jeff Hazen at the Crab feed and Seafood Festival.
It's usually appropriate to recognize the efforts of those who contribute to the success of a community event. Roger seems to think that's wrong even though he thought it was perfectly acceptable to advertise a local performance of Cabaret in Astoria a few years ago with swastika graphics on big signs at the gateway to Astoria. He pleaded with me over the matter when I found it unacceptable and made it a public issue. Roger's public comments seem a little silly on this Hazen matter.
I'll be back on the air Monday morning after taking a few days to get caught up on administrative matters.
It's good to be home.
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