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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 7, 2009)
The INDEPENDENT, May 7, 2009 Power of the People By W. Marc Farmer, General Manager, West Oregon Electric Cooperative Real Numbers! There has been a lot of discussion and press regarding breaching the four dams on the Snake River. There are those who pur- port that public sentiment is on their side in trying to justify their position. The numbers do not support this claim and I felt it was im- portant to set the record straight on this is- sue. In that effort, I will be using the remain- der of my space to share with you an article from Northwest Riv- er Partners regarding an independent poll conducted on this issue and some facts regarding the impact if the dams were removed. I think you will find it enlightening and informative. This issue is im- portant to us as there is a lack of recognition that hydro is a re- newable energy and that dam removal will require replacing a firm renewable energy source with a fossil fuel source. This is neither cheap nor a wise choice. New poll shows Pacific Northwest voters oppose breaching Snake River dams by wide margin Two-thirds of voters in the Pacific Northwest oppose breaching dams on the lower Snake River, viewing it as an extreme measure to improve salmon runs on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. “Dam removal would be economically devastating to the North- west’s energy picture and use of the rivers as an economic highway” said Terry Flores, executive director of Northwest RiverPartners. “It also runs completely counter to the goal of reducing carbon emis- sions and would pose a serious setback to meeting the reduction tar- gets set by the states”, she added. “The most dramatic impact would be eliminating 1,100 megawatts of clean hydroelectric power from the region – enough to power a city the size of Seattle – combined with sharp increases in electric rates that will further hurt the Northwest’s economy already reeling from job losses,” Flores said. Two-thirds of citizens surveyed recognized that fossil fuels con- tributing to climate change would replace the energy if the clean and renewable dams were removed. An overwhelming majority – 88% – identified hydro as renewable – similar to wind and solar resources. And 69% acknowledged that hydro is more reliable than wind because no electricity is generated when the wind doesn’t blow. More than two-thirds recognize that hy- dro does not contribute to global warming. “The public really ‘gets it’, Flores noted, “and it is critical that our legislators and policy-makers understand how highly valued hydro is so they can incorporate that into their energy and climate change policies.” Citizens showed overwhelming support – 79% – for states and the U.S. Congress to declare hydro as a renewable resource. Northwest RiverPartners, a partnership of individuals and busi- nesses that support the region’s working rivers and fish recovery, measured regional attitudes about the Pacific Northwest hydroelec- tric system, energy and fish, in a poll of 700 registered voters in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Tim Hibbitts of Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc., conducted the survey in February 2009. “Given that current efforts to improve salmon runs are paying off, extreme and economically damaging moves like removal of Snake River dams should not even be on the table for discussion,” Flores said. Flores noted that the poll results are consistent with polling since 2005 and reflect the high awareness in the region of the importance of hydroelectric power with 93% describing electricity production as an essential or important use of the river. Northwest RiverPartners is an alliance of farmers, utilities, ports and business that promote the economic and environmen- tal benefits of the Columbia and Snake Rivers and salmon recov- ery policies based on sound science. Page 15 Forestry Board asks for help with list What issues should the Ore- gon Board of Forestry put on its priority list as it works toward its goal of sound, sustainable management of Oregon’s for- ests? Through its 2009 biennial issue scan, the seven-member board is inviting the public to help answer that question. Through May 22, people are invited to suggest forest-related issues for the board to consider as it sets its priorities for the next two years. “During economic times such as these, careful priority- setting is more important than ever,” said Dan Postrel, agency affairs director with the Oregon Department of Forestry. “Forests cover almost half of Oregon’s land area, and are essential to our state’s well-be- ing, quality of life, and culture. The board is seeking ideas about how this resource can be managed sustainably to benefit all Oregonians.” More information about the issue scan, including back- ground on the board’s current priorities, work plans and strategies, is available on the board’s Web site, at www.ore- gon.gov/odf/board. Input for the 2009 issue scan may be: • Submitted from the board’s Web site. • Sent by postal mail to Ore- gon Department of Forestry, Dan Postrel, 2600 State Street, Salem, OR 97310. • Faxed to Dan Postrel’s at- tention at 503-945-7212. Web and fax submissions must be received by 5:00 p.m. on May 22. Mailed comments must be postmarked by that date. People are asked to limit the description of each pro- posed issue to 500 words. A work group that includes two members of the board will review and organize the ideas, seek additional information if necessary, and pass the com- ments along to the full board, with recommendations about priorities. The Board of Forestry, ap- pointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate, oversees all forest policy mat- ters within the state’s jurisdic- tion. The board’s duties include appointing the state forester, setting management direction for state-owned forests, and adopting rules regulating tim- ber harvest on private land. The board also provides a fo- rum for public discussion and policy-making that addresses all of Oregon’s forests. The board uses its overarch- ing strategic policy document, the Forestry Program for Ore- gon, for guidance as it sets pri- orities and plans its work. Infor- mation about the document, which emphasizes sustainabili- ty of a wide range of forest val- ues, is also available at www. oregon.gov/odf/board. Do you want Broadband here? Be part of the solution! The Northwest Oregon Broadband Taskforce was formed to apply for stimulus funding through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Pro- gram (BTOP) to expand high- speed internet services to the business and residential com- munities of Columbia, Clatsop and Tillamook Counties. Public and private partnerships have joined to expand this effort. Schools, hospitals, and emer- gency service providers are all encouraged to participate. This will be a huge econom- ic boost for the area and will undoubtedly stimulate growth in existing businesses, spur the formation of new businesses, and grow jobs throughout the region! At the forefront of the process is the need to identify the “underserved” population by location on the regional map. Time is of the essence, so the Taskforce is asking each resident/business to join in making high speed broadband a reality. Add your business/residen- tial location to our data base at: www.ipns.com/broadband For further information con- tact Donna Nyberg at 503-320- 2050. You can E-Cycle From page 14 program? Households, small organizations of ten or fewer employees and anyone else delivering seven or fewer cov- ered electronic devices to a collector at any one time. To learn more about the pro- gram, go to www.oregonecy cles.org. Alley Auto Wrecking ✮ ✮ Gasoline 503-429-7581 Most parts under warranty Open Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Closed Sunday and Monday 54372 Nehalem Hwy South, Vernonia, OR 97064 6 miles south of town on Hwy 47 Buying unwanted vehicles with clear title VERNONIA INN Enjoy a quiet weekend with us. 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