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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Governor seeking energy industries
Gov. Kulongoski late last
week continued his business
development mission in Is-
rael, where he met with offi-
cials from ORMAT Tech-
nologies, Solel Solar Systems
and the U.S. Embassy in Jeru-
salem.
The governor has fo-
cused the mission on indus-
tries that are bringing
renewable energy technolo-
gies to market. Oregon has
been the location of choice
for new business recruitments
including SolarWorld,
Solaicx and Peak Sun in the
solar energy industry.
The governor spoke with
Solel about operating in Ore-
gon and discussed its busi-
ness model.
“Oregon’s experienced
semiconductor workforce,
low energy costs and
renewable energy tax credits
make us a global competitor
when it comes to solar manu-
facturing,” the governor said.
“Oregon is on track to be-
come the largest photo-
voltaic-producing state in
North America next year.”
Solel specializes in the
design, manufacture and in-
stallation of solar fields and
critical solar field components
for large-scale power genera-
tion. With more than 20 years
experience in the sector, Solel
is the world’s largest solar
thermal company.
Similar discussions are
on the slate with ORMAT
Technologies, a global leader
in geothermal power equip-
ment and development. The
company has more than four
decades of experience in the
development of state-of-the-
art, environmentally sound
power solutions, primarily in
geothermal and recovered
Career Day was held
recently at Lorna Byrne
Middle School in Cave
Junction. Many types of
jobs were presented by
Illinois Valley and sur-
rounding-area people in
business and service
organizations. Sixth-
graders were provided
three sessions to attend
a wide variety of present-
ers; including zoo-
keeping, optometry, fire-
fighting, teaching, mili-
tary service and plumb-
ing. (Photos by Dale &
Elaine Sandberg for IVN)
energy generation.
“Oregon is rich in geo-
thermal resources,” Kulon-
goski observed. “I am inter-
ested in learning more about
harnessing this natural power
resource to increase our re-
newable energy options.”
The governor and state
economic development staff
also met with Israeli represen-
tatives to discuss Israel’s ef-
forts to develop a nationwide
electric car network to reduce
dependence on foreign oil.
The Israeli government
has announced a plan to in-
stall the world’s first electric
car network in Israel by 2011.
The U.S.-based company,
Project Better Place, owned
by Israeli-American entrepre-
neur Shai Agassi, will pro-
vide lithium-ion batteries to
power the cars and the infra-
structure to refresh or replace
them. One battery will enable
the cars to travel 124 miles
per charge.
Project Better Place will
install parking meter-like
plugs on city streets and con-
struct service stations along
highways to replace the bat-
teries. Renault-Nissan will
build the new cars and will
offer a small number of their
existing electric models at
prices roughly comparable to
gasoline models.
Kulongoski is interested
in the incentives, policies,
construction needs and time-
line of the project and if a
similar idea would be feasible
in Oregon.
“Oregon has established
itself as a leader in renewable
energy and clean technology
industries,” Kulongoski said.
“Electric vehicles are a logi-
cal complement to lessen our
dependence on foreign oil
and advance our sustainable
development strategies.”
The governor started his
trip in Amsterdam before
traveling to Israel last week.
Museums listed
A free Guidebook to
Oregon Museums, which
includes Illinois Valley’s
Kerbyville Museum, has been
released statewide.
The booklet is funded by
Travel Oregon for Oregon
Museums Association
(OMA). The publication is
being distributed to chambers
of commerce offices, and
visitor and travel centers
statewide, plus out-of-state
locations.
To supplement the new
guidebook, more detailed and
timely Oregon museum infor-
mation is available by visiting
OMA at oregonmuseums.org.
Need someone to watch your
Precious One?
Helping Hands Day Care
is here
Hours: 7:30am-5:30pm M-F
For more info contact Cindy
541-592-4923
helpinghandsdaycare@gmail.com
Move toward biofuels continuing in D.C.
The Renewable Biofuels
Facilitation Act, legislation to
promote the development and
use of cellulosic ethanol de-
rived from woody biomass on
federal land, has been intro-
duced by Rep. Herseth
Sandlin (D-S.D.) and Rep.
Greg Walden (R-Ore.)
The bill would signifi-
cantly broaden the definition
of cellulosic ethanol within
the Renewable Fuels Stan-
dard (RFS) to include more
biomass gathered from fed-
eral land. The Sandlin/
Walden bill addresses a flaw
included in The Energy Inde-
pendence and Security Act of
2007, which included an his-
toric 36 billion gallon RFS.
Unfortunately, said Wal-
den, the legislation’s definition
of renewable biomass prevents
almost all federal land biomass -
- such as trees, wood, brush,
thinnings, chips, and slash --
from counting toward the man-
date if it is used to manufacture
biofuels. This provision, he said,
not only discourages the use of
such biomass, but in doing so
could result in a decrease in
responsible forest management
by denying land managers an
important outlet for the exces-
sive biomass loads that often
accumulate on public land.
The Sandlin/Walden bill
illinois-valley-news.com
would promote the use of
energy from waste products
gathered on federal land. In-
cluded would be those that
are byproducts of preventive
treatments, removed to re-
duce hazardous fuels, to
reduce or contain disease or
insect infestation, or to restore
ecosystem health.
The act was co-sponsored
by a geographically diverse
and bipartisan group including
Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-
Ore.), and Walden.
“Biomass utilization is an
important component of our
energy independence,” De-
Fazio said. “This legislation
will help many innovative
companies that are actively
developing new biomass
technology.
“I am pleased to co-
sponsor this legislation,
which will ensure that we
take an environmentally sen-
sitive and yet active approach
toward stewardship of our
federal forest land and bio-
mass development,” he said.
Added Walden, “The
energy bill recently signed
into law does a great deal to
advance America toward a
smarter energy future. Unfor-
tunately, it woefully under-
appreciated the role biomass
must play in our energy port-
folio by excluding biomass
produced in federal forest
health projects from the coun-
try’s new 36 billion gallon
renewable fuels standard.
“And the energy bill
placed onerous restrictions on
the use of biomass from pri-
vate land,” Walden said.
OSU Extension Service
Jo Co Master Gardener 2008
Spring Garden Fair
Josephine County Fairgrounds
Saturday, April 26, 9-5 & Sunday, April 27, 9-4
Master Gardener Plant Extravaganza
• 2 Full Days…
over 10,000 Plants, Flowers,
Trees, plus Vendors & Food!
• 2 Fully enclosed build-
Rockydale Automotive
Auto repair & service since 1979
Same Location - Same Owner - Same Great Service
Bud thanks all his loyal customers and
welcomes new ones.
6615 Rockydale Rd.
Cave Junction
592-2132
Mon. - Fri., 9 to 5
Plant Clinic
ings - more than 29,000
sq. ft.
We can help solve your garden problems. Have a question?
Come to our Plant Clinic! Check out our many informative
displays.
• FREE Admission
Many Vendors with Lots of Garden Arts & Crafts
• FREE Parking
• RAFFLES… need not be
Celebrating our 29th year anniversary!
Over 10,000 annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, & MORE!
Make your shopping list NOW
present to win
• Food Concessions
• No animals, please
Need something special? Compost, row covers, annuals &
perennials, herbs, hanging baskets, rhodies, azaleas, roses, tree
seedlings, garden furniture, statues, figurines, tools, arbors,
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waterfalls, planters, birdhouses & feeders... Check ‘em out!
Student Projects & Demonstrations
Participate in the many fun activities for kids! Hands-on activities
& educational exhibits.
Don’t Miss the
Largest Annual Garden Fair in Josephine County