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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 1979)
opinion greg wesson a quorum of one For years, it seemed inevitable that America would turn to nuclear power to quench its exorbitant thirst for energy. But what once seemed a foregone conclusion has become a political battle. In Oregon, the current skirmish centers over a pair of nuclear generators that four utilities would like to build on the Columbia river. The building permits for the project, known as Pebble Springs, are presently the property of the Energy Facility Siting Coun cil, which is scheduled to make a decision this summer. Friday, Gov. Vic Atiyeh announced that he's considering replacing some members of the council before the Pebble Springs question is answered. Those who followed the case say the seven-member council is split 3-3 with one swing vote. Given that Atiyeh supports the Pebble Springs project, his announcement raised questions among those concerned about nuclear construction. Atiyeh’s proclamation also brought an in credulous response from some members of the press corps who wondered if new ap pointees wouldn’t lack the background that countless hours of testimony has given present members of the council. “Whether or not I reappoint current members or find new ones,” contended Atiyeh, "the decision will be made on a re cord that has been accumulated and will be open for study." However, Atiyeh's contention that new council members could become familiar with the case by studying the record con flicts statements he made soon after his inauguration. Attempting to allay fears that his pro Pebble Springs attitude would cause him to become involved in the case, Atiyeh as sured a labor gathering in late January that “I believe a governor ought not intrude into that system. Here’s a body that’s heard all the testimony — some 20,000 pages worth. On what basis would I make that decision? It would be an emotional basis or a subjec tive one.” The governor continued that while he supported the Pebble Springs project, "The council was designed to rule on the plants; they’ve listened to the testimony, they should be able to come up with the right decision." Atiyeh also contends that the statute es tablishing the siting council requires him to replace at least two members because they have served beyond their legally allowed limits. But a letter sent to Fred Miller, the ex director of the Department of Energy, by Assistant Attorney General Richard Sand vick, cast doubts on the legitimacy of Atiyeh’s argument. In the letter, Sandvick concludes that all three of the members in question could be legally reappointed and that there is “minimum risk" of the council's decision of being challenged in court if the three are allowed to remain on the board until the Pebble Springs issue is settled. The governor still has not delivered to the appropriate committees a copy of his energy plan. Given his apparent inclination on Pebble Springs, it’s a safe bet that nuc lear power will play a major role in Atiyeh’s energy future. ‘Your views are critical’ This community's choices for future growth will be decided by the elected officials of Eugene, Springfieia and Lane County this year. Do citizens have a choice in this decision? We do indeed. Growth is changing our neighborhoods, stores, parks, schools and working places. These factors are included in the updating of our metropolitan area plan — the 1990 PI an — but the rest is up to us. The population of the Eugene/Springfield metropolitan area is about 189,000 now. One of our choices for future growth would allow an expected metropolitan population of 294,000 to expand our urban service boundaries to include Goshen to the south, almost to Fern Ridge reservoir on the west, half-way to Junction City on the north and almost to Cedar Flat and Jasper on the east. The two other choices feature less acreage but greater population density. Your best opportunity to influence which alternative is recommended to the cities and county is at an informal meeting on Saturday. Feb. 17. in the Agriculture Building. Lane County Fairgrounds any time between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The citizens sponsoring this meeting, the Metropolitan Area Planning Advisory Committee, will explain and dis cuss the alternatives with all who attend. Your views are critical — make those views known on Feb. 17. Mary Sherriffs chairperson, MAPAC ‘Be consistent,’ join union One product of the negotiations of the Graduate Teach ing Fellows Federation with the University was the promise of a $25,000 fund to aid GTF's with health care expenses. Although a small amount per GTF, considering there are approximately 800 of us, it was an important gain for the union and a result of the patience and dedication of many people. This fund is now being distributed to GTF's who ap plied, regardless of whether or not they are union mem bers. The many non-members who have applied must realize that in order to continue to make real gains in the future, the GTFF needs their membership and support. I urge these people to be consistent in their actions. Besides just taking advantage of the benefits that the GTFF has won. they should also join their union. Come by the office at 868 E. 13th between 12 and 4 or call 344-0832. Diane Beaulaurier graduate, biology ‘Mindless automatons’ I was truly appalled at the naivete of Bryan Campbell implied in his letter regarding the treatment the ROTC (Rotten to the Core?) has been receiving. The truth is that joining the military requires no fortitude or courage at all. but merely the ability to conform and submit, to think what other people tell you to think, and to become a professional murderer. Surely, such mindless automatons are worthy of the treatment they have been receiving and deserve much more Peter Cooper junior, history neirs M AVCStfS * *&•&**! Of COURSE,!^ NB/£R REALLY WERE CVS^LY ENTHUSIASTIC ACOUT THE fASSENGER BUS'N03S More ROTC poetry To the Rah-tsee debate I would like To cite a tough old soldier, Ike Who in his twilight years was vexed By the military-industrial complex. That its values should guide our land Struck Eisenhower as out of hand And like the general I deplore That peaceful ducks should here learn war. The fact of the cold war's unhealed scars (In Shaba they smoke Havana cigars) Render those who share my stance Left without a xxxxing chance Yet like all good ducks I’ll try To keep my head when feathers fly But when war's conscription rolls around Vancouver might be my kind of town. Philip Emerson junior, journalism-political science ‘We salute Iran’ We salute the Iranian people for having succeeded in driving from power the Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. The friendship between the American people and the Iranian people will grow only if our government refrains from condoning a military coup as a solution to popular opposition to the Bakhtiar government. In this regard, the American government should pub tidy state that such an alternative, requiring as it would the use of American supplied arms and aircraft, is unaccepta ble and not in the interest of either our own or the Iranian people. It should state further that such a government could not and would not receive recognition by this country. We believe that the fall of the Shah is a turning point in the long history of the Iranian struggle for self determination, and we believe further that its lesson for our government is clear: don't interfere in such struggles, be they in Iran, Chile, the Philipines, South Africa, or else where. Only then will Americans be regarded as friends by the people of these countries. Jack Levine U.S. People’s Committee on Iran ‘Encouraging statistics’ Professor Henry Goldstein’s remarks opposing the recommendations of the Affirmative Action Committee at the Feb. 7 University Assembly were not intended to com fort women and minorities. Yet, if put in historical perspec tive, his social statistics are encouraging. In the not-too-distant past, there were no Jews in academic posts and no Blacks in sports. Apparently, both groups managed to acquire merit and pass through the gates of discrimination. Women and minorities, therefore, can hope for a simi lar transformation. In the not-too-distant future, we might be as well represented at this University (including the Department of Economics) as the Jewish professors and Black basketball players he cited. Louise Wade professor, history
