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About The Dalles chronicle. (The Dalles, OR) 1998-2020 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 26, 2020)
A4 The Dalles Chronicle Wednesday, February 26, 2020 MAYOR of visitors and tourism. Mays said he would also like to explore a “50/50 Mayor focused sidewalk split” program in on how to help the city. “Property owners could Continued from page A1 fix their sidewalks, and half the cost would be paid for by the city,” Mays explained. great, but we really need He noted that such a pro- to see what we can do for existing business, find out gram would be considered what they need and how we during the upcoming budget can help them.” He hopes to process. create a partnership be- Mays is also interested in exploring a public-use space tween the city, The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce on Federal Street and would like to support and encour- and the Small Business Development Center at age the enthusiasm for the Columbia Gorge Community Main Street program gener- College to address such busi- ated by the Small Business ness needs, outside the realm Revolution project. Mays was seated on the city budget committee in 2015, prior to running for mayor. He was elected to replace former Mayor Steve Lawrence, who did not run for a fourth term in office, in 2018. His current term expires at the end of this year. Now retired, Mays worked many years as a city manager and holds a Master of Arts degree in public affairs. “Bringing people together to do what’s best for every- one in the long run, that’s the ultimate goal,” he said of public service during his first campaign. (Ainsworth State Park). The road will reopen by 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28. tunnel itself. That work is anticipated to begin in late 2020. The tunnel will remain closed until resto- ration work is complete. The 125-foot tunnel orig- inally opened in 1914, and carried vehicle traffic from the Historic Highway. In 1948, ODOT bypassed the tunnel and filled it with rubble. In 2009, it was restored for bicycle and pedestrian use. In 2017, the Eagle Creek Fire burned the tunnel’s wood lining, and it has remained closed since. Visit TripCheck.com for 24/7 road conditions and closure information. HIGHWAY Repair of tunnel planned in future Continued from page A1 ensure the safety of workers involved later in the tunnel repair project. The hillside was burned during the fire, destroying vegetation and increasing the threat of rockfall. Late Sunday, the Historic Columbia River Highway was closed around-the- clock to all users be- tween Multnomah Falls and Interstate 84, exit 35 CAP&TRADE Electricity rates would not go up Continued from page A1 through political claims and focus on what the program would do as proposed and how Oregonians would be affected. Why limit gases? What are greenhouse gases, and why does the state want to cut back on them? Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere and change the Earth’s cli- mate, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The most significant is carbon dioxide, released into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels, solid waste and biological materials. According to a 2018 report from the Oregon Global Warming Commission, the effects of increased green- house gas emissions are already here. The report states that forest fires start earlier, last longer, are more intense and produce smoke that’s particularly harmful to sensitive groups. The report also states that Oregon is seeing less snowpack, which can result in droughts. In the long term, Oregon could see a dramatic die-off of forests or sea-level rises in coastal communities, accord- ing to the report. According to that same report, Oregon emitted about 65 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equiva- lent in 2017. The state wants to cut that dramatically by 2050. What’s the impact? What environmental im- pact will this bill have? Climate change is a global phenomenon. Critics of the current effort say that Oregon’s emissions account for just a sliver of the total greenhouse gases released worldwide. After President Donald Trump pulled out of the Paris climate agreement in 2017, Gov. Kate Brown announced that Oregon would join other states, cities and countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Cap and trade programs can improve local air quality by reducing pollution, while lowering global greenhouse gas emissions. Impacts on price I’ve heard this will make Access to Multnomah Falls During the closure, east- bound travelers can contin- ue on the Historic Highway to reach Multnomah Falls, or use I-84 Exit 31. Westbound travelers cannot reach Multnomah Falls on the Historic Highway and should use I-84 Exit 31. Restoring the tunnel A second phase of work is planned to restore the gas at the pump more expen- sive. Is that true? The program would re- quire companies importing fuel into Oregon to pay for emissions those fuels will generate. Gas prices could increase by about 20 cents per gallon in 2022 in areas where the program will start, accord- ing to an analysis provided by Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, a leading au- thor of the bill. After 2022, gas prices could increase by 1 to 2 cents per gallon annually. According to that analysis, large parts of the state are years from experiencing an increase, because the legis- lation would phase in the re- quirement on fuel importers by geography as follows: 2022: Portland metro area 2025: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington and Yamhill counties. 2028: Coos and Curry counties, and the metro- politan areas of Bend and Klamath Falls. Counties not included: Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, Wheeler. Counties can volunteer to join the program, which would give them access to new state money to use for local environmental projects aimed at reducing green- house gases. Once 23 counties are covered by the regulations the entire state would require fuel importers to buy allow- ances—essentially a permit to pollute—from the state. To insulate some Oregonians from higher fuel costs, Senate Bill 1578 would provide a tax credit for people making less than $65,000 per year who live in areas of the state where fuel importers have to buy allowances. Those credits would be higher in counties subject to the regulation that are also more rural, where the average resident travels longer distances by car. Greg Dotson, assistant pro- fessor of law at the University of Oregon, who is an expert in environmental and energy law, said that before a similar system went into effect in California critics predicted gas prices in that state would spike. But he pointed to U.S. Energy Information Administration numbers showing that between 2014 and 2016, gas prices on the West Coast dropped by a dollar while California was enacting its carbon pricing program. Numbers show that gas prices in California since then have ebbed and flowed. The global oil market large- ly dictates gas prices, Dotson said. “These state programs, they’re just the gnat on the dog, which is the global oil market,” said Dotson. “And these big global oil market forces are determining oil prices.” TheDallesChronicle.com WHAT’S HAPPENING SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS AT THEDALLESCHAMBER.COM/ EVENTS OR EMAIL ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE TO MGIBSON@ THEDALLESCHRONICLE. COM. LISTINGS ARE FREE. FEBRUARY Wednesday, February 26 ADULT YOGA: Adult Yoga, 6 p.m. at The Dalles-Wasco County Public Library, 722 Court St., The Dalles. Vinyasa flow. Free. Thursday, February 27 GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS: Governmental affairs, 7 to 8 a.m. at The Barbecue, 1013 W. Sixth St., The Dalles. Open to public. CODE CLUB: If you are a girl who enjoys creating digital art with a purpose the new Girls Who Code Club at TDMS is for you. The free club meets every Wednesday from 8 to 9:30 am at TDMS. In Girls Who Code, students work together to learn about computer coding and solve a real world problem. To register call 541-296-5494 or email lu.seapy@oregonstate. edu. Thursday, February 27 KIWANIS PROGRAMS: Kiwanis meetings are held every Thursday at noon at Spooky’s and visitors are welcome. This week’s events include: is a club business meeting. For more information go to www. thedalleskiwanis.org. Friday, February 28 PRESCHOOL YOGA: Preschool Yoga, 10 to 10:30 a.m. at The Dalles-Wasco County Public Library, 722 Court St., The Dalles. Free. TEEN POWER: Teen Knowledge is Power Trivia Game, 4-5:30 p.m. at The Dalles-Wasco County Public Library, 722 Court St., The Dalles. Saturday, February 29 HISTORY FORUM: Notable visitors are the topic of the final Regional History forum at the Original Wasco County Courthouse. The Dalles journalist Rodger Nichols is also a historian and a member of the Original Courthouse board. He will share stories about notable folks who have come to town in the past 215, as well as some homegrown notables, in a presentation titled “Famous Visitors: Guess Who Came to Dinner?” Program be- gins at 1:30 p.m. in the upstairs courtroom of the 1859 court- house, 410 W. 2nd Place, The Dalles. Admission is free, cookies and coffee will be served. SATURDAY BINGO: Saturday night bingo at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center, 1112 W 9th Street, The Dalles, on Feb. 1st. Plus, an additional $750 payout for a blackout in 53 numbers or less on the final game. Minimum buy-in is $10. Doors open 4 p.m. Games start 6 p.m. Players must be eight years old, 8-18 years must be accompanied by a legal guardian). New players Thursday /32° /32° Mostly sunny Monday, March 2 CODE CLUB: If you are a girl who enjoys creating digital art with a purpose the new Girls Who Code Club at TDMS is for you. The free club meets every Wednesday from 8 to 9:30 am at TDMS. In Girls Who Code, students work together to learn about computer coding and solve a real world problem. To register call 541-296-5494 or email lu.seapy@oregonstate. edu. TEEN TECH: An Arduino mi- crocontroller uses open-source hardware and software to create digital devices and interactive objects that can sense and interact digitally and physically. There is a large community have programmers who have shared their Arduino creations online for everyone to use. So come learn how to program and use these amazing little motherboards. By registration only, 3 to 5 p.m. at The Dalles-Wasco County Library, 722 Court St., The Dalles. Free. Tuesday, March 3 BACKYARD GARDENING: Learn Backyard gardening and farming for food, fun, by registra- tion at The Dalles-Wasco County Public Library, 722 Court St., The Dalles. Classes are 6:15 p.m. See HAPPENING, page A5 consumers will likely ben- efit from enhanced energy efficiency and other clean energy programs because a price on (greenhouse gas) emissions will improve these programs’ cost effectiveness,” the board said in a briefing paper. Dotson said that a regional greenhouse program cover- ing 10 states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic has reduced carbon emissions while power bills have de- creased. A consultant’s report in 2018 found that consumers covered by the initiative saw their energy bills decrease because of efforts to improve energy efficiency. Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday 60° 61° 60° 56° 54° 55° 56° Mild with clouds and sunshine MARCH emissions, or whether you’re going to pay somebody else to do it,” he said. Burtraw also notes that government money raised through the program in turn funds energy efficiency projects, which can make business more competitive. “It’s important not to just take half the story,” Burtraw said. “So half the story is that you’re raising the costs of combusting fossil fuels and that, everything else being equal, would seemingly disadvantage an industry compared to competitors in other states... But the re- sponse to that—that the state could help amplify through Impacts on the use of revenues that are Price impact manufacturing collected—is to promote in- novation and investments to How could this law affect Will cap and trade become more efficient. And manufacturing? make everything else more there’s loads of evidence that The program would apply expensive? to about a dozen manufac- Business groups have com- this has worked out really well.” turers in the state that emit plained that the legislation Low-income families will will increase the cost of doing more than 25,000 metric tons business in a way ultimately see little to no cost impacts as of man-made greenhouse Gas bill impact a result of the program due to passed on to consumers. gases every year. exemptions and credits, ac- Others are more skeptical. Potentially, nine of these How will this affect my “This is an argument that facilities could be considered personal natural gas bill? cording to the analysis from I’ve been hearing for 20 “trade exposed.” That means Dembrow’s office. According to estimates these companies are subject from Dembrow, low-income years about any policy to Moderate income families to competition from states residential customers would address climate change, that can expect to see increases of it’s just going to raise prices where environmental pol- be exempted from any nat- less than $100 per year, and on people and be unfair,” high income households in ural gas increases. The state icies are less stringent, and said Dotson, who previously the Portland metro area can they would be excused from Public Utility Commission expect to see increases of would determine who quali- worked as vice president for paying for emissions if they energy and environmen- $150 to $400 starting in 2022, are using the best technology fies as low income. depending on how many available to their industry to Other residential custom- tal policy at the Center for cars they have and how fuel control those emissions. ers would see, on average, a American Progress. efficient those cars are. The What’s considered “best 7 percent increase in 2022, “We’re in a fundamental- effect on high-income earn- available technology” would according to the analysis ly different world now just be assessed every nine years provided by Dembrow. For because renewable energy is, ers elsewhere will depend on to figure out whether those the typical, non-low income in most cases, actually cheap- where they live. technologies have changed. customer, Northwest Natural er than fossil fuels for many Are we ready? As long as the manufactur- estimates that’s about $50 in applications. So there’s this the first year. huge opportunity to invest er continues to meet that I heard that lawmakers The legislation would in those things, and actually are rushing the bill through. benchmark, it can still qualify provide money to weatherize reap rewards for people,” Is there anything they for free allowances. homes and for other energy don’t know yet about the Dotson said. Impacts on business projects that could bring proposal? Dallas Burtraw, a senior down customers’ bills. There’s no thorough fellow at Resources for the How will the bill affect estimate of how much Future who also advises other businesses? Electricity bill impact California on its cap and money the law would raise Fuel suppliers and utilities for the state, according to the trade program, said that supplying natural gas and How will this affect my economists tend to favor cap Legislative Revenue Office. electricity will have to get electricity bill? The most authoritative fore- and trade because it allows allowances for their emis- The Citizens’ Utility companies to decide for Board, which advocates cast of how much money the sions. Altogether, about 100 themselves how to comply for residential and small companies could have to law is expected to generate with the new regulations. abide by the new regulations, business customers, said in will come from that office has “If I say that you have to according to the state Carbon its analysis that the new pro- yet to be produced. do something, and you have Policy Office. The state Carbon Policy gram “should not have any The Carbon Policy Office harmful effects on electricity to do it in a certain way, and Office estimates the program that’s legally enforceable, it’ll could raise $254 million in doesn’t expect electricity consumers.” 2022 and $437 million in the utilities, which already have Oregon lawmakers in 2016 get you to do what I said,” Burtraw said. following two-year budget, to abide by state laws moving required a phasing out of “You might know of though it has cautioned those them to clean energy sources, coal-fired electricity by 2030, cheaper ways to do that, or numbers are preliminary. to increase rates as a result of while pushing large utilities That money would pay for cap and trade. to use more renewable ener- ways that would give you a lot more flexibility and cause projects to cut greenhouse Businesses using natural gy sources. less disruption to your pro- gas emissions, including gas might see increases in Since the utilities already making transportation more their utility bills. are adjusting for that require- duction practices,” he said. efficient. If companies are consid- He said flexibility is a key ment, there shouldn’t be Nonpartisan analysts at the ered “trade exposed”—at additional costs to electricity feature of cap-and-trade Legislature have estimated risk of losing business to the customers as a result of the programs. that the state would spend “You get to decide how greenhouse gas program, states where environmental about $22 million in the cur- you’re going to reduce the Citizens’ Utility Board regulations are less strict— those emissions or whether concluded. they will get help mitigating rent two-year budget to run you’re going to reduce those the new program. “Electric service rate increases for that natural gas use. Natural gas utilities would be given allowances asso- ciated with emissions from “trade exposed” commercial users of natural gas through a process called “consign- ment.” That means the allowances would be sold at auction, and utilities can use the money from the sales to cover costs that other- wise would be passed on to trade exposed businesses. As a result, those businesses would be protected from rate increases for their natural gas. Businesses not considered trade exposed would still be sheltered from at least part of any increase in their natural gas costs. NW Natural estimates that its small commercial natural gas users can expect to see a $168 cost increase in natural gas utility bills due to cap and trade in 2022. WEATHER FOR THE DALLES, OR | FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 3, 2020 Today encouraged to arrive by 5:30 p.m. /34° Intervals of clouds and sun /34° Cooler with clouds and sun /33° A thick cloud cover /38° Sunshine /37° Rain and snow Actual High/Low Feb 17 - 23 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 50/35 51/23 51/22 51/22 54/23 59/27 51/37 Updated 2.24.20, 7:30 AM PDT Data from Accuweather.com
