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
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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