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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 29, 1979)
Energy rate relief plans caught in Senate crossfire By DANA TIMS Of the Emerald SALEM — Long before the 1979 Legislature convened, it was considered politically unwise to make a proposal that would amount to taxpayer subsidization of almost anything. A few legislators, however, say they are still interested in provid ing relief to groups that need it most. Last week, while Gov. Vic Atiyeh and his aides demanded cuts in the state’s budget, two state senators argued for energy rate relief. One of the plans, sponsored by Sen. L.B. Day, R -Salem, would direct the public utility commis sioner to slash energy rates for seniors by 75 percent. The other, introduced by Sen. Jack Ripper, D -North Bend, would use income, not age, as a criterion to authorize state energy coupons. But at this point, the proposals are pitted against each other and one, or both, will be lucky to sur vive. “Traditionally,’' says Day, “we have provided relief through the HARRP (Home Owners and Renters Rebate Program) prog ram. But there’s a real dilemma with the aged, especially with their utility bills." Day’s proposal, not yet in bill form, would also include disabled social security recipients. "Going through the PUC (Public Utilities Commission,” he main tains, “is easier than being ground through the tax mill. It’s direct and it’s effective.” But the senator who chairs the committee that would hear the proposal isn’t nearly as sure. "Right now, that idea is jumping out of L.B. Day’s head," says Sen. Jan Wyers, D -Portland, chairer of the Senate Aging and Minority Af fairs committee. “We re still in the information-gathering stage.” Last session, Wyers got in volved in the drafting of an exten sive home weatherization prog ram. It taught him that ideas come much easier than end products. “I spent literally hundreds of hours on that,” adds Wyers. “And CROSS-COUNTRY SKI SALE Examples: 30-80% off all skis, boots __ _,, dll SKIS, DOOIS TRAK Rallye no wVx U g PLUS MUCH MORE FISCHER *» 5995 ! sale special Jan. 29-Fob. 3 y PRICE CL0THES RACK - SUGAR PINE RIDGE Limited to stock on hand 877 E. 13th 345-5584 found that real change is slow and sometimes impossible.’’ Utility companies would iike to attach the same label of impossi bility to Day’s plan, preferring Ripper’s energy coupon ap proach. “Those just above the cutt-off line would be hurt the most by that proposal,” says Tom Berry, rep resentative for Northwest Natural Gas. “Any rate cut for one group means higher rates for all other groups. Given a choice, we’d pre fer the coupons. All people would share equally in paying for those. ” Berry also notes that the PUC controls only natural gas and elec tricity. Other types of fuels, such as wood, gas, oil and coal would not be included in Day’s plan. “Fifty percent of seniors don’t even use electricity,” says Ripper. “They avoid it. I’ve seen eight eld erly persons all huddled in one cold room because the rates were too high. Any plan we turn out should take into account all forms of energy.” Ripper estimates that a suffi ciently funded energy coupon program would cost the state from $20 million to $40 million. “My program is more social,” he contends. “With the other, you would give a break to seniors, period — whether they were struggling on a fixed income or filthy rich.” The choice between cuts and coupons usually presents itself in time of war. The opening of any legislative session is just such a time and those choices are bounc ing around again. But with a war on inflation rag ing, and the governor engaged in a firefight with government spend ing, “social welfare’’ programs such as these may be the first drafted and the first gunned down. 1 Made far each often Just like the two of you. And what more perfect way to illustrate that than with matching wedding bands. Select just the right design from over 100 styles. Choose white or yellow gold, plain or with diamonds, modern or traditional. Mastercharge, Visa and American Express gladly accepted. 9 VALLEY RIVER CENTER PHONE 342-1741 HOURS MON-FRI 10 am-9 pm SAT 10 am-6 pm SUN 1 lam-6 pm Experts or public: who will prevail in energy policy? Analysis by GREG WASSON Of the Emerald America is scrambling — scrambling to maintain a com fortable lifestyle despite dwindling resources. Energy, and discussion of whether our current uses are required or needlessly wastefully, has be come the issue of the 70s. In the private sector, that race has spurred development of new technologies to both generate additional power and decrease this country’s con sumption. In government, the struggle has been aided by creation of programs designed to support development of new systems and catalogue information those systems creat. The main agency in this state is the De partment of Energy (DOE). But Oregon has a new gov ernor and what changes that will cause in energy planning aren’t clear. Gov. Victor Atiyeh has promised to streamline and cut back government and rumor has it the DOE won't even exist come the new fiscal year (July 1). However, July is five months away and any state agency needs a head. A drastic reor ganization is easier when di rected by a familiar face and Gov. Atiyeh has put Kelly Woods, who's been involved in Oregon’s energy planning for some time, in charge of the DOE. Woods was a staff member on the old nuclear and thermal siting council, served a stint as executive director of the pres ent siting board and most re cently taught a class at Oregon State. Probably the most important aspect of Woods’ energy philosophy is Ns acceptance of power from the atom. "I’m satisfied that down through the decades the nation is going to need nuclear power How much and when in the Pacific Northwest is a different question, but at the present time, it’s probably the best way to go.” Woods denies charges by environmentalists like John Platt, executive director of the Oregon Environmental Coun cil, that he is "a nuclear advo cate.” “I guess I’m a power advo cate,” explains Woods. “When I think about opportunities for kids in Oregon to find jobs here, I want to insure there’s sufficient power for industrial growth.’’ Platt remains suspicious. ‘Woods’ pro-nuclear state ments indicate the kind of bias he’s bringing into the depart ment. He’s also demonstrated an interest in having profes sionals make decisions about siting and development of new plants.” The controversy over whether highly technical deci sions, such as the need for and safety of new energy facilities, should be left to the experts or made by lay people consider ing technology as merely one aspect, is central to the energy question. ‘‘Even within the realm of technical decisions,” says Michael Farley, executive di rector of Oregon Common Cause, “there are a lot of value judgements that need to be made. To assert that those with expertise should always domi nate that kind of policy-making is dangerous.” Currently, siting certificates — in effect the building permits for new plants — must be ap proved by a seven-member board appointed by the gover nor. Woods is quick to point out that his plans aren't formalized, but says he may recommend to Atiyeh tfiat siting dedsons be made by a board, like the old nuclear council, composed of both public members and state agency heads. “To have concerned state agencies represented on the commission would bring ac tions that are somewhat more wise because of having those knowledgeable people on the board.” Platt isn’t convinced. “We’ve heard that over and over and over from the utilities, that the public is not competent to make those decisions.” HAIR TODAY_ NATURAL HAIR DESIGN FOR WOMEN & MEN DRY CUT designed for your hair and you. For those on a tight schedule. $6.50 WET HAIRCUT AND STYLE designed for you and your hair for easy care and the air-waved style. A completed style to go anywhere. $9.00 COMPUTE STYLE includes shampoo, moisturizing conditioner, blow dry and hair cut designed for you. 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