Senator Ron Wyden has long stood up for Oregon's energy interests, including introducing a bill last year that would "strip federal energy regulators of their exclusive siting authority . . . and hand the decision back to the states." http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=50371&TM=73897.49
In a Washington D.C. climate that threatens to create a national grid by FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) fiat, Senator Wyden's office has been in contact with SIP members and assured us that he is ready to go to bat if need be. FERC would disregard state and local laws and site power grids wherever they want them.
You may want to contact Sen. Wyden's office to let him know we appreciate his support. And contact our new Senator Jeff Merkley while you're at it!
Senate Contact Information:
Senator Ron Wyden
223 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-3703
Phone: (202) 224-5244
Bend Office: (541) 330-9142
http://wyden.senate.gov/contact/
Senator Jeff Merkley
SDB-40B Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-3703
Phone: (202) 224-3753
Portland Office: (503) 326-3386
http://merkley.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm
