House Bill 3058, giving someone other than a property owner the right to apply for a permit to fill or dredge waterways on private land for utility purposes, has passed out of the Rules Committee for a floor vote in the Oregon House and the Senate.
Please contact the following state senators and let them know of your opposition to this bill:
Senator Ted Ferrioli
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1950
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-323, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: sen.tedferrioli@state.or.us
Website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ferrioli
Senator David Nelson
Phone: 503-986-1729
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-211, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: sen.davidnelson@state.or.us
Website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/nelson_david
Many thanks for your help!!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Energy technology news from Science Daily
New Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Seal Could Help Bring Efficient Energy Technology To Market May 25, 2009 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090521184437.htm Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have great potential for stationary and mobile applications. Stationary use ranges from residential applications to power plants. Mobile applications include power for ships at sea and in space, as well as for autos. In addition to electricity, when SOFCs are operated in reverse mode as solid oxide electrolyzer cells, pure hydrogen can be generated by splitting water. . .
"Our interest is to work on the critical material problems to enable power generation and hydrogen production in large quantity and low cost," said (Peizhen) Lu, whose expertise includes material design and material synthesis and processing . . .
Scientists Work To Plug Microorganisms Into The Energy Grid May 19, 2009 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090518101906.htm
The answer to the looming fuel crisis in the 21st century may be found by thinking small, microscopic in fact. Microscopic organisms from bacteria and cyanobacteria, to fungi and microalgae, are biological factories that are proving to be efficient sources of inexpensive, environmentally friendly biofuels that can serve as alternatives to oil, according to research presented at the 109th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. . .
Researchers are looking at alternate biomasses as food for microorganisms to ferment into ethanol. The most attractive are known as lignocellulosic biomass and include wood residues (including sawmill and paper mill discards), municipal paper waste, agricultural residues (including sugarcane bagasse), dedicated energy crops (like switchgrass) or the non-edible parts of corn like cobs, stalks or stover. The problem is, unlike corn starch, the sugars necessary for fermentation are trapped inside the lignocellulose part of this plant biomass. The key to ending the food versus fuel debate is unlocking the sugars trapped in cellulosic biomass. . .
Beside ethanol and biodiesel, researchers are also looking at producing hydrogen from renewable resources. (Tim Donohue of the University of Wisconsin, Madison) lab is working with purple bacteria called Rhodobacter sphaeroides that use photosynthesis to produce hydrogen from a combination of cellulosic feedstocks and sunlight. The hydrogen can then be converted to electricity using fuel cells that his lab is also developing. They have completed laboratory scale prototype "microbial batteries" using the bacteria and the fuel cells in a single enclosed system that, when exposed to sunlight, produces enough electrical current to power a laptop. . .
Concentration Solar Power Module Integrates Into Side And Roof Of Buildings May 12, 2009 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090505202912.htm
A concentration solar power module that produces heat, cold and electricity and that can be integrated to façades or building roofs constitutes the new patent obtained by the University of Lleida (Spain) . . .
This thermal-photovoltaic modular system has a solar concentration of 10 suns, that is, it only needs a tenth part of a standard system’s active surface to produce the same energy, be it electricity, heat, or both simultaneously. Besides the reduction in the surface of used solar cells and the cost reduction this implies, this new technology can generate cold by connecting a heat pump to the system. . .
They can be directly installed in roofs, on the closure of concrete or brick blocks, forming a curtain wall in the façades or as a part of the railings in terraces, "as if they were a building’s second skin". They can also be used in residential buildings, companies or farms. . .
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Kuna P&Z to vote on power line issue
A decision not to allow such projects in city limits could trigger a fight with Idaho Power and the BLM.
BY JOE ESTRELLA 5/27/2009
http://www.idahostatesman.com/westtreasure/story/782771.html
Duane Yamamoto has been farming in the Kuna area since the community's population was only about 750. Levar Thornton is a fourth-generation farmer in the area who has about 1,500 acres of land he'd like to see developed for the city that now has almost 16,000 residents.
Both want the Kuna Planning and Zoning Commission to shoot down a municipal comprehensive plan alternative that would permit Idaho Power Co. to route a portion of its Gateway West Transmission Line project's 500,000-volt wires through the southernmost part of the city, which includes their land.
Commission staffers have proposed a plan that would prohibit any part of the project being built on private land inside the city. The P&Z commission will meet to vote on the two alternatives at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Kuna City Hall, 763 W. Avalon . . .
Yamamoto said approving the Gateway West Project's path through Kuna would put a fourth Idaho Power line on his land. The existing three already make it difficult for crop dusters to spray his peppermint, sugar beet and seed crops. "They have to fly over these lines, which means they miss some spots because if they try and fly under them they could have trouble and crash, " said Yamamoto, a former mayor of Kuna.
. . . "It (the land) would be dead for development," (Thornton) said. "You can't have development under those lines. And it would probably affect the value of the surrounding land."
. . . Idaho Power spokeswoman Lynette Berriochoa confirmed that the original plan was to route the transmission lines through the Birds of Prey area. Officials for the utility and the BLM confirm that talks have been ongoing, but Berriochoa said she was unaware of any resolution.
Meanwhile, BLM spokeswoman M.J. Byrne said the agency was open to any "suggestions from Idaho Power, or the public."
Even so, Thornton isn't hopeful. "They (Idaho Power) have the power of eminent domain, there's no doubt about that," he said. "They're going to put them (the transmission lines) where they want to put them."
Two differences in Oregon and Idaho law:
BY JOE ESTRELLA 5/27/2009
http://www.idahostatesman.com/westtreasure/story/782771.html
Duane Yamamoto has been farming in the Kuna area since the community's population was only about 750. Levar Thornton is a fourth-generation farmer in the area who has about 1,500 acres of land he'd like to see developed for the city that now has almost 16,000 residents.
Both want the Kuna Planning and Zoning Commission to shoot down a municipal comprehensive plan alternative that would permit Idaho Power Co. to route a portion of its Gateway West Transmission Line project's 500,000-volt wires through the southernmost part of the city, which includes their land.
Commission staffers have proposed a plan that would prohibit any part of the project being built on private land inside the city. The P&Z commission will meet to vote on the two alternatives at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Kuna City Hall, 763 W. Avalon . . .
Yamamoto said approving the Gateway West Project's path through Kuna would put a fourth Idaho Power line on his land. The existing three already make it difficult for crop dusters to spray his peppermint, sugar beet and seed crops. "They have to fly over these lines, which means they miss some spots because if they try and fly under them they could have trouble and crash, " said Yamamoto, a former mayor of Kuna.
. . . "It (the land) would be dead for development," (Thornton) said. "You can't have development under those lines. And it would probably affect the value of the surrounding land."
. . . Idaho Power spokeswoman Lynette Berriochoa confirmed that the original plan was to route the transmission lines through the Birds of Prey area. Officials for the utility and the BLM confirm that talks have been ongoing, but Berriochoa said she was unaware of any resolution.
Meanwhile, BLM spokeswoman M.J. Byrne said the agency was open to any "suggestions from Idaho Power, or the public."
Even so, Thornton isn't hopeful. "They (Idaho Power) have the power of eminent domain, there's no doubt about that," he said. "They're going to put them (the transmission lines) where they want to put them."
Two differences in Oregon and Idaho law:
- Oregon PUC retains the power of condemnation (eminent domain) that can be assigned to a utility only when need is proven;
- Oregon land use laws protect Exclusive Farm Use land from uses other than farming, especially when alternative land is available.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wire Power
From the http://www.amsc.com/ website
How to send electricity across the continent, virtually for free.
By Michael D. Lemonick Newsweek Web Exclusive May 22, 2009
http://www.newsweek.com/id/198942
Remember the Woodstock of Physics? Probably not. Back in the spring of 1987, though, headlines were trumpeting it as the most exciting scientific meeting in history. Three thousand physicists crammed into a ballroom at the New York Hilton to talk about superconductivity-the transmission of electricity with literally zero resistance. The technology was suddenly within reach of being economical. So it appeared, anyway, and that could mean anything from superfast computers to tiny, powerful electric motors to power lines that could carry current with no loss of energy.
In the more than two decades since, superconductors haven't grabbed many headlines. . . "Five years ago, I'd have been skeptical," says Robert Cava, a Princeton materials scientist who was in on the original Woodstock of Physics. "But after years and years and years of people beating their heads against the wall, they've finally got it."
"They" are scientists and engineers at a handful of companies in Europe, the U.S. and Japan who have figured out how to turn brittle, fragile superconductors into flexible wires.
. . . But the big push now is for power transmission. A major element of the "smart grid" is a new set of long-distance power lines to carry electricity from renewables like wind and solar.
Conventional power lines are expensive, unsightly and wasteful-they can lose 14 percent of their energy from the resistance of the copper cables.
Superconducting cables have no such problem. A set of cables carrying five gigawatts of power-the output, of, say, five big nuclear power plants-can fit into a pipe just three feet across, and you could even bury it underground.
Part of the pipe will be taken up with a cooling system . . . The cooling equipment draws some energy from the cable, but still far less than the losses in copper cable. . .
So new power cables will have to link the source to the consumer. And if it's a choice between ugly, inefficient overhead lines and a pipe buried along existing interstate-highway rights of way, the choice seems kind of obvious-assuming that American Superconductor is correct in its claim that the costs are roughly the same. . .
By Michael D. Lemonick Newsweek Web Exclusive May 22, 2009
http://www.newsweek.com/id/198942
Remember the Woodstock of Physics? Probably not. Back in the spring of 1987, though, headlines were trumpeting it as the most exciting scientific meeting in history. Three thousand physicists crammed into a ballroom at the New York Hilton to talk about superconductivity-the transmission of electricity with literally zero resistance. The technology was suddenly within reach of being economical. So it appeared, anyway, and that could mean anything from superfast computers to tiny, powerful electric motors to power lines that could carry current with no loss of energy.
In the more than two decades since, superconductors haven't grabbed many headlines. . . "Five years ago, I'd have been skeptical," says Robert Cava, a Princeton materials scientist who was in on the original Woodstock of Physics. "But after years and years and years of people beating their heads against the wall, they've finally got it."
"They" are scientists and engineers at a handful of companies in Europe, the U.S. and Japan who have figured out how to turn brittle, fragile superconductors into flexible wires.
. . . But the big push now is for power transmission. A major element of the "smart grid" is a new set of long-distance power lines to carry electricity from renewables like wind and solar.
Conventional power lines are expensive, unsightly and wasteful-they can lose 14 percent of their energy from the resistance of the copper cables.
Superconducting cables have no such problem. A set of cables carrying five gigawatts of power-the output, of, say, five big nuclear power plants-can fit into a pipe just three feet across, and you could even bury it underground.
Part of the pipe will be taken up with a cooling system . . . The cooling equipment draws some energy from the cable, but still far less than the losses in copper cable. . .
So new power cables will have to link the source to the consumer. And if it's a choice between ugly, inefficient overhead lines and a pipe buried along existing interstate-highway rights of way, the choice seems kind of obvious-assuming that American Superconductor is correct in its claim that the costs are roughly the same. . .
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
PUC: Idaho Power must sell energy credits
By JOHN MILLER , 05.25.09
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/25/ap6462221.html
AP - After complaints by Idaho Power Co.'s largest customers, regulators have ordered the state's biggest utility to sell about $2 million worth of renewable energy credits and use the money to benefit ratepayers, instead of retiring or banking the credits in expectation of new federal laws requiring more renewable energy generation.
The recent decision by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission reverses its Jan. 28 ruling to allow Idaho Power to hold on to the credits.
Idaho Power wanted to take the credits, known as "Green Tags," off the market or bank them. That would have allowed the utility to publicly tout its commitment to renewable energy - or use the credits in the future to help meet new renewable energy standards. . .
The three-member commission found "no compelling evidence" that banking the tags would "lessen the company's burden in meeting a future federal standard," the panel wrote in its latest decision . . .
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/25/ap6462221.html
AP - After complaints by Idaho Power Co.'s largest customers, regulators have ordered the state's biggest utility to sell about $2 million worth of renewable energy credits and use the money to benefit ratepayers, instead of retiring or banking the credits in expectation of new federal laws requiring more renewable energy generation.
The recent decision by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission reverses its Jan. 28 ruling to allow Idaho Power to hold on to the credits.
Idaho Power wanted to take the credits, known as "Green Tags," off the market or bank them. That would have allowed the utility to publicly tout its commitment to renewable energy - or use the credits in the future to help meet new renewable energy standards. . .
The three-member commission found "no compelling evidence" that banking the tags would "lessen the company's burden in meeting a future federal standard," the panel wrote in its latest decision . . .
Monday, May 25, 2009
Idaho Power reorganizes; 40 jobs affected
Associated Press May 6th
http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-may0609-idaho_power_job_cuts.270bb714.html
BOISE -- Idaho Power officials say the utility is reorganizing and eliminating up to 40 positions from its new customer divsion.
Idaho Power spokeswoman Stephanie McCurdy . . . says the action is a response to the poor economy and low revenue growth. . .
McCurdy says the reorganization won't affect any electrical services offered by the company. . .
http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-may0609-idaho_power_job_cuts.270bb714.html
BOISE -- Idaho Power officials say the utility is reorganizing and eliminating up to 40 positions from its new customer divsion.
Idaho Power spokeswoman Stephanie McCurdy . . . says the action is a response to the poor economy and low revenue growth. . .
McCurdy says the reorganization won't affect any electrical services offered by the company. . .
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Historic green victory at Idaho Power annual meeting could mean higher electric bills
BY ROCKY BARKER - 05/21/09
http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/777839.html?story_link=email_msg
Even supporters of a resolution urging Idaho Power to reduce greenhouse gases were surprised when shareholders approved it with a 52 percent majority Thursday at the company’s annual meeting.
The resolution asked Idaho Power to adopt specific goals — by Sept. 30 — for reducing the gases that scientists say contribute to climate change.
No matter how the company responds, electric rates are expected to rise. . .
LaMont Keen, president and CEO of Idaho Power said he and the board got the message.
“The company takes this vote seriously and will consider adopting quantitative goals this year,” Keen said.
Idaho Power has been hoping to wait for federal legislation that would make it more expensive to generate power with fossil fuels, especially coal. It also doesn’t want to invest too quickly in intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar until the federal government establishing standards for how much renewable energy the company must have.
“We have a big base of customers who don’t want us to raise our rates,” Keen said. “Anything we do is more expensive.”
Except, that is, for improving energy efficiency.
Both the shareholder groups and Idaho Power agree that the cheapest way to meet future demand is to reduce the amount of electricity customers use. This will lower power bills and keep the company from building new power plants, which also increases customer costs.
. . . Rich Rayhill, a wind developer and a stockholder, told Keen that if Idaho Power waits for federal action, it risks losing access to new renewable sources as others rush to buy the best locations for wind, solar and geothermal plants. . .
http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/777839.html?story_link=email_msg
Even supporters of a resolution urging Idaho Power to reduce greenhouse gases were surprised when shareholders approved it with a 52 percent majority Thursday at the company’s annual meeting.
The resolution asked Idaho Power to adopt specific goals — by Sept. 30 — for reducing the gases that scientists say contribute to climate change.
No matter how the company responds, electric rates are expected to rise. . .
LaMont Keen, president and CEO of Idaho Power said he and the board got the message.
“The company takes this vote seriously and will consider adopting quantitative goals this year,” Keen said.
Idaho Power has been hoping to wait for federal legislation that would make it more expensive to generate power with fossil fuels, especially coal. It also doesn’t want to invest too quickly in intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar until the federal government establishing standards for how much renewable energy the company must have.
“We have a big base of customers who don’t want us to raise our rates,” Keen said. “Anything we do is more expensive.”
Except, that is, for improving energy efficiency.
Both the shareholder groups and Idaho Power agree that the cheapest way to meet future demand is to reduce the amount of electricity customers use. This will lower power bills and keep the company from building new power plants, which also increases customer costs.
. . . Rich Rayhill, a wind developer and a stockholder, told Keen that if Idaho Power waits for federal action, it risks losing access to new renewable sources as others rush to buy the best locations for wind, solar and geothermal plants. . .
Friday, May 22, 2009
B2H Advisory Team Meeting Notes
Idaho Power's B2H Facilitated Advisory Committee Meeting Approximately 45 community members, elected officials, and organizational representatives met for five hours Thursday, May 21st, at the Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario for the first of a series of meetings seeking a new B2H transmission line route. Notable in their attendance was Adam Bless and Sue Oliver of the Oregon Department of Energy, and Lucas Lucero, Regional BLM.
Also present were Idaho Power officials including Senior Vice President Dan Minor, Dave Angell, Kent McCarthy, Lisa Grow and Eric Hackett.
After Idaho Power's preliminary presentations, those attending were divided into three groups. Time was spent bringing all members up to speed on the issues.
From reports of those attending, the preliminary consensus was that in every case possible, the route should be kept off of private and farm land and instead routed through public or range land. Farm land is specifically protected by Oregon land use laws.
Quotes from those attending:
(1) "I thought the meeting was a good start in the process. Idaho Power seemed more open than before that they were not trying to 'sell' a route.
"I felt that everyone in my workgroup was on the same page - not over farm ground. I had been afraid that some of the ctiy representatives might not be as strong on this point - but they were very vocal about the impact on agriculture.
"At the next meeting we will hear the BLM & Idaho Power criteria that the route should consider. This meeting will be a critical one to show whether this is really an open process."
(2) "I agree that everybody in the room was opposed to the line going over the top of farmland. I also agree that Idaho Power seemed much more forthright now that the decision was made to involve more citizen participation.
"One of our group point blank asked IP whether or not this meeting was genuine and whether or not our suggestions would really be taken into consideration, or was their mind really already made up as to where the line is going. IP stated emphatically that the meeting was genuine and that they would try to follow the citizen's suggestions in every way possible.
"I asked Dave Angel a hypothetical question to the effect that if BLM was to give their approval today on a route around the Valley and through public land (SIP Alternate #2) would IP take that route even thought it would be an additional 40 miles and $40,000,000. He stated that it would probably more like $80,000,000 but that they would take that route if it were approved by the BLM.
"I was somewhat impressed with Eric Hackett as he was able to field some pretty tough questions calmly and seemed to have a better handle on the entire process than anyone I have encountered with IP to date.
"As a point of curiosity, our moderator stated two or three times that our group was one of the best citizen input groups that she had encountered. I was wondering if all of the moderators said the same thing as part of their approach, or was it a genuine comment.
"At any rate, I think it was a good start, and as previously stated, the next meeting will determine if the process might to lead to something positive."
(3) "If we are to take IP at their word, this was a good start, with the real work coming in the future. Everyone must hear a 1000 times if nessary no EFU land in Malheur County and know we are serious and will not compromise."
(4) "The 'back of the room' group consisted entirely of Malheur County folks. Mr. Lucero sat on the side and answered questions.
"We, too, voiced our concerns and when asked for solutions, there was one: choose one of the routes proposed by Jean Findley and stay off EFU ground. Afterwords, one of the group and I were sitting in the hall waiting for the rest of the groups to finish. We had a conversation with a gentleman from Idaho.
"This gentleman said Malheur County has two definite issues, the necessity for aerial spraying and Oregon law. He did say he was a personal friend of Dan Minor, and he had posed the question of whether or not the committee results would be the route to Minor, and Minor said yes, the committee will be the determining group. . . "
Thanks to those who contributed to this post.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
HB 3058 and HB 3153A Rules Hearing Friday
House Bill 3058 has been scheduled for a hearing this Friday at 3:00 pm. The hearing will be held in Hearing Room B at the Oregon State Capitol.
Currently, there are three Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) proposals for 600 miles of pipelines across Oregon farms, forests, and hundreds of rivers. The Legislature is considering a bill that will fast track the permitting of LNG-related pipelines through rivers and wetlands by someone other than the landowner.
Problem: House Bill 3058 was proposed by the LNG companies to allow them to apply for permits to fill wetlands and dredge streams without permission from the landowner. The end result is faster and cheaper for LNG companies and fewer rights for landowners. Under present law, Oregon only allows a landowner or someone with permission from a landowner to apply for a permit to fill wetlands or river beds.
Solution: Oregon should leave the current law in place and not fast track LNG pipelines.
Action Needed: Ask the Rules Committee and your own representative to oppose HB 3058. We don’t need to create a haphazard rush for LNG pipeline permits on private land.
HB 3153 A - Requires utility provider to make reasonable effort to locate utility transmission and distribution lines in exclusive farm use zones so that lines have least practical impact on farming operations - will be considered in the same hearing, so write in support of this bill.
Download the Rules Committee notice document HERE.
Rules Committee:
Chair: Representative Arnie Roblan (House District 9/Coos Bay): 503-986-1409.
Email : rep.arnieroblan@state.or.us
Vice-Chair: Representative Vicki Berger (HD20-Salem): 503-986-1420
Email: rep.vickiberger@state.or.us
Vice-Chair : Representative Chris Edwards (HD14-Eugene): 503-986-1414
Email: rep.chrisedwards@state.or.us
Representative Tobias Read (HD27-Beaverton): 503-986-1427
Email: rep.tobiasread@state.or.us
Representative Mary Nolan (HD36-Portland): 503-986-1436
Email: rep.marynolan@state.or.us
Representative Bill Garrard (HD56-Klamath Falls): 503-986-1456
Email: rep.billgarrard@state.or.us
Representative Bob Jenson (HD58-Pendleton): 503-986-1458
Email: rep.bobjenson@state.or.us
Representative Sara Gelser (HD16-Corvallis): 503-986-1416
Email: rep.saragelser@state.or.us
Currently, there are three Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) proposals for 600 miles of pipelines across Oregon farms, forests, and hundreds of rivers. The Legislature is considering a bill that will fast track the permitting of LNG-related pipelines through rivers and wetlands by someone other than the landowner.
Problem: House Bill 3058 was proposed by the LNG companies to allow them to apply for permits to fill wetlands and dredge streams without permission from the landowner. The end result is faster and cheaper for LNG companies and fewer rights for landowners. Under present law, Oregon only allows a landowner or someone with permission from a landowner to apply for a permit to fill wetlands or river beds.
Solution: Oregon should leave the current law in place and not fast track LNG pipelines.
Action Needed: Ask the Rules Committee and your own representative to oppose HB 3058. We don’t need to create a haphazard rush for LNG pipeline permits on private land.
HB 3153 A - Requires utility provider to make reasonable effort to locate utility transmission and distribution lines in exclusive farm use zones so that lines have least practical impact on farming operations - will be considered in the same hearing, so write in support of this bill.
Download the Rules Committee notice document HERE.
Rules Committee:
Chair: Representative Arnie Roblan (House District 9/Coos Bay): 503-986-1409.
Email : rep.arnieroblan@state.or.us
Vice-Chair: Representative Vicki Berger (HD20-Salem): 503-986-1420
Email: rep.vickiberger@state.or.us
Vice-Chair : Representative Chris Edwards (HD14-Eugene): 503-986-1414
Email: rep.chrisedwards@state.or.us
Representative Tobias Read (HD27-Beaverton): 503-986-1427
Email: rep.tobiasread@state.or.us
Representative Mary Nolan (HD36-Portland): 503-986-1436
Email: rep.marynolan@state.or.us
Representative Bill Garrard (HD56-Klamath Falls): 503-986-1456
Email: rep.billgarrard@state.or.us
Representative Bob Jenson (HD58-Pendleton): 503-986-1458
Email: rep.bobjenson@state.or.us
Representative Sara Gelser (HD16-Corvallis): 503-986-1416
Email: rep.saragelser@state.or.us
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Rural Oregon has energy to burn
by The Oregonian Editorial Board Saturday May 02, 2009 http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/05/rural_oregon_has_energy_to_bur.html
More than 1,000 people from 25 countries gathered in Portland last week for a conference on the vast promise of crop residues, wood waste and other sources of biomass to help power a greener, cooler, safer world.
At roughly the same time the world's biomass experts were in town, the Democratic leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives released an energy bill that explicitly disregards the largest available source of biomass in Oregon: federal forests.
That makes no sense as a matter of energy policy, economics or environmental stewardship. Oregon has hundreds of thousands of acres of federal forests that are overgrown, infested with insects and disease and vulnerable to catastrophic wildfires. It has rural communities struggling with 17 percent unemployment. It has everything it needs -- and every economic motivation -- to become a center for biomass energy.
But that won't happen, can't happen, if Congress approves an energy bill that sets out incentives and an ambitious goal -- requiring that 25 percent of the nation's energy come from renewable sources by 2025 -- and then expressly discounts biomass from the nation's federal forests.
Congressman Greg Walden, a Hood River Republican who represents much of rural Oregon, has a reasonable question: "What's the science behind this decision to say biomass from federal lands is not a renewable energy source?"
Walden said he can't get an answer, not from Democratic leaders, not from former Vice President Al Gore, who testified on the bill last week, and not from the leaders of national environmental groups who helped draft the energy legislation. . .
It's all here in rural Oregon, the woody biomass, the motivation and the unemployed work force. Congress must not let all that good energy go to waste.
More than 1,000 people from 25 countries gathered in Portland last week for a conference on the vast promise of crop residues, wood waste and other sources of biomass to help power a greener, cooler, safer world.
At roughly the same time the world's biomass experts were in town, the Democratic leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives released an energy bill that explicitly disregards the largest available source of biomass in Oregon: federal forests.
That makes no sense as a matter of energy policy, economics or environmental stewardship. Oregon has hundreds of thousands of acres of federal forests that are overgrown, infested with insects and disease and vulnerable to catastrophic wildfires. It has rural communities struggling with 17 percent unemployment. It has everything it needs -- and every economic motivation -- to become a center for biomass energy.
But that won't happen, can't happen, if Congress approves an energy bill that sets out incentives and an ambitious goal -- requiring that 25 percent of the nation's energy come from renewable sources by 2025 -- and then expressly discounts biomass from the nation's federal forests.
Congressman Greg Walden, a Hood River Republican who represents much of rural Oregon, has a reasonable question: "What's the science behind this decision to say biomass from federal lands is not a renewable energy source?"
Walden said he can't get an answer, not from Democratic leaders, not from former Vice President Al Gore, who testified on the bill last week, and not from the leaders of national environmental groups who helped draft the energy legislation. . .
It's all here in rural Oregon, the woody biomass, the motivation and the unemployed work force. Congress must not let all that good energy go to waste.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
South Project Advisory Team Meeting #1
Thursday, May 21, 2009, Idaho Power under the facilitation of Rosemary Curtin of RBCI Inc. will hold its first Project Advisory Team Meeting on the Boardman to Hemingway project, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario.
Dave Angell, Eric Hackett, Rosemary Curtin and Kent McCarthy will be making presentations.
Meeting objectives:
• Review project background, status and the community advisory process
• Discuss purpose and need for the transmission line
• Identify community issues and suggestions
The venue has been moved from the Holiday Inn to the FRCC so there should be room for anyone who wants to attend who was not "officially" invited, although only those on the official list will have dinner provided.
We expect the Idaho Power contingent will graciously listen and respond to input from those who will be affected by this project over the next six months.
Dave Angell, Eric Hackett, Rosemary Curtin and Kent McCarthy will be making presentations.
Meeting objectives:
• Review project background, status and the community advisory process
• Discuss purpose and need for the transmission line
• Identify community issues and suggestions
The venue has been moved from the Holiday Inn to the FRCC so there should be room for anyone who wants to attend who was not "officially" invited, although only those on the official list will have dinner provided.
We expect the Idaho Power contingent will graciously listen and respond to input from those who will be affected by this project over the next six months.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Kuna deliberates
Kuna Planning and Zoning Commission holds off on decision on comprehensive plan
Scott McIntosh/Kuna Melba News Editor
http://www.kunamelba.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=84&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=892&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2008&hn=kunamelba&he=.com
14 MAY. 09 Kuna Planning and Zoning Commission members Thursday night tabled a decision on the city’s comprehensive plan update. Commission members are scheduled to make a decision at their next regularly scheduled meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, at City Hall.
Commission members heard from about a dozen residents, most of whom expressed support for the plan in general. A number of people spoke against a version of the future land use map that contained a swath of land on the south of town that clears a path for a massive 500,000-volt Idaho Power transmission line.
. . . Commission members Curt James and Stephanie Wierschem sought more time to consider the testimony and letters, while commission members Stan Sanders, Carl Trautman and chairman Dave Case said they were prepared to recommend approval of the comp plan with the map that discluded the power line.
In the end, James made a motion to table the matter, Wierschem seconded it and Trautman acquiesced out of respect for fellow commission members’ desires to take more time.
Scott McIntosh/Kuna Melba News Editor
http://www.kunamelba.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=84&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=892&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2008&hn=kunamelba&he=.com
14 MAY. 09 Kuna Planning and Zoning Commission members Thursday night tabled a decision on the city’s comprehensive plan update. Commission members are scheduled to make a decision at their next regularly scheduled meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, at City Hall.
Commission members heard from about a dozen residents, most of whom expressed support for the plan in general. A number of people spoke against a version of the future land use map that contained a swath of land on the south of town that clears a path for a massive 500,000-volt Idaho Power transmission line.
. . . Commission members Curt James and Stephanie Wierschem sought more time to consider the testimony and letters, while commission members Stan Sanders, Carl Trautman and chairman Dave Case said they were prepared to recommend approval of the comp plan with the map that discluded the power line.
In the end, James made a motion to table the matter, Wierschem seconded it and Trautman acquiesced out of respect for fellow commission members’ desires to take more time.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Residents talk about power line concerns
Written by CHRIS COLLINS Baker City Herald May 15, 2009
http://www.bakercityherald.com/Local-News/Residents-talk-about-power-line-concerns
Residents of Northeastern Oregon got a brief chance to bring their concerns about Idaho Power Co.’s proposed 500-kilovolt transmission line to members of the Oregon Department of Energy’s Energy Siting Council Thursday night.
The session, scheduled to end at 8 p.m., was extended by more than an hour, but still left many in the audience frustrated by the time constraints they faced after being invited to speak before the council.
Thursday’s session began with a brief overview of the council’s role in the process by Adam Bless, an energy facility analyst with the Department of Energy. Next to speak was Eric Hackett, project manager for Idaho Power Co., and Kent McCarthy, Idaho Power Co. planner, who has been charged with leading community advisory process as the plan moves forward.
Ted Davis, acting field manager for the Bureau of Land Management in Baker City, explained how the BLM will consider the environmental impact of Idaho Power’s plan under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The meeting was opened to public comment at 7:50 p.m.
The 92 people assembled at the meeting combined their comments or deferred to others to speak for them as they worked to make the most of the schedule that was left to them. Council members were asked to consider the impact the transmission line would have on livestock and farm production in the areas as well as the region’s historic and cultural resources and the health of residents.
Nancy Peyron, a founder and chair of the Baker County group Move Idaho Power, said the people she has talked to today said they were disappointed that there was nothing new presented by agency representatives during the meeting and yet members of the public were restricted in their ability to express their concerns.
“They really didn’t want our input,” she said of Thursday’s meeting. “So they shouldn’t have said they did.”
The meeting was attended by W. Bryan Wolfe of Hermiston who chaired the session, and fellow council members Cheri Davis and Lori Brogoitti. They began the day with a tour of Malheur County, led by Roger Findley of the Stop Idaho Power citizens group, and were reluctant to extend Thursday’s meeting past three hours.
Wolfe said the tour gave the council a better understanding of how residents of the area would be affected if the power line ran through their property.
“It was a very good turnout,” he said, adding that he extended the meeting’s length as a courtesy to the large crowd. “There were a lot of people here with things to say and I wanted to let them have the opportunity to speak.
“This is an open process,” he added. “They should realize that their voices are heard and that their thoughts and opinions are considered.”
McCarthy said that since Idaho Power took its original plan off the table in March, the company has been working to organize committees of residents in each region between Boardman and Hemingway, Idaho. The two end points are all that remain of the original siting plan for the transmission line.
A meeting is scheduled June 4 for residents of Baker and Union counties.
We wonder how much comment time will be made available to members of Kent McCarthy's Community Advisory Committees . . .
http://www.bakercityherald.com/Local-News/Residents-talk-about-power-line-concerns
Residents of Northeastern Oregon got a brief chance to bring their concerns about Idaho Power Co.’s proposed 500-kilovolt transmission line to members of the Oregon Department of Energy’s Energy Siting Council Thursday night.
The session, scheduled to end at 8 p.m., was extended by more than an hour, but still left many in the audience frustrated by the time constraints they faced after being invited to speak before the council.
Thursday’s session began with a brief overview of the council’s role in the process by Adam Bless, an energy facility analyst with the Department of Energy. Next to speak was Eric Hackett, project manager for Idaho Power Co., and Kent McCarthy, Idaho Power Co. planner, who has been charged with leading community advisory process as the plan moves forward.
Ted Davis, acting field manager for the Bureau of Land Management in Baker City, explained how the BLM will consider the environmental impact of Idaho Power’s plan under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The meeting was opened to public comment at 7:50 p.m.
The 92 people assembled at the meeting combined their comments or deferred to others to speak for them as they worked to make the most of the schedule that was left to them. Council members were asked to consider the impact the transmission line would have on livestock and farm production in the areas as well as the region’s historic and cultural resources and the health of residents.
Nancy Peyron, a founder and chair of the Baker County group Move Idaho Power, said the people she has talked to today said they were disappointed that there was nothing new presented by agency representatives during the meeting and yet members of the public were restricted in their ability to express their concerns.
“They really didn’t want our input,” she said of Thursday’s meeting. “So they shouldn’t have said they did.”
The meeting was attended by W. Bryan Wolfe of Hermiston who chaired the session, and fellow council members Cheri Davis and Lori Brogoitti. They began the day with a tour of Malheur County, led by Roger Findley of the Stop Idaho Power citizens group, and were reluctant to extend Thursday’s meeting past three hours.
Wolfe said the tour gave the council a better understanding of how residents of the area would be affected if the power line ran through their property.
“It was a very good turnout,” he said, adding that he extended the meeting’s length as a courtesy to the large crowd. “There were a lot of people here with things to say and I wanted to let them have the opportunity to speak.
“This is an open process,” he added. “They should realize that their voices are heard and that their thoughts and opinions are considered.”
McCarthy said that since Idaho Power took its original plan off the table in March, the company has been working to organize committees of residents in each region between Boardman and Hemingway, Idaho. The two end points are all that remain of the original siting plan for the transmission line.
A meeting is scheduled June 4 for residents of Baker and Union counties.
We wonder how much comment time will be made available to members of Kent McCarthy's Community Advisory Committees . . .
Friday, May 15, 2009
Malheur County's "Finger Lands"
Click for larger picture
Jim Johnson of the Oregon Department of Agriculture supplied us with this map of Northern Malheur County. In it you can see irrigated Exclusive Farm Use land in orange, Exclusive Range Use lands in green, and gray BLM-owned federal lands.
If you include the rest of Malheur County, (note the white & yellow map in an earlier post,) you would see no more EFU land and a great deal more federally owned land.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
"A Working Landscape:" Oregon's Energy Facility Siting Council Tour
Adam Bless of the ODOE, Roger Findley, EFSC member Bryan Wolfe, County Planner Jon Beal, Clinton Kennington, and Larry Price at Trenkel OverlookThursday morning, members of Oregon's Energy Facility Siting Council plus several other state agency officials, two Idaho Power representatives, and a number of SIP members boarded a school bus and toured the diverse, intensively cultivated and irrigated "finger lands" of Malheur County's main industry, agriculture.
The Energy Facility Siting Council is the 7-member appointed citizen body that makes the final decision whether a utility's proposed route will be acceptable under state law.
"The best mitigation is avoidance when it comes to linear utility facilities":Jim Johnson of the Oregon Dept of Ag, EFSC member Cheri Davis, and Bruce Corn of Corn Farms
First we stopped at Farrell Larson's Select Onion facility off of Stanton Blvd and cried as we observed the peeling, cutting, sorting, cooking and packing of onion ring varieties. We got samples, too, and hopefully they will be available retail some day.
Malheur County is the #1 onion producing county in the U.S, with $280 billion in sales at the farm gate. A warm dry climate and irrigated land make it possible to produce the consistently large onions used in facilities such as Select Onion. 70% of the value to Oregon agriculture comes from irrigated land.
As Jim Johnson of the ODA said, "This is not open space. This is a working landscape."
We are glad to say that Stacie Trenkel finally got the chance to see the view from Trenkel Overlook on Hwy 20-26. Maybe she will take her children there some day.
Owyhee Irrigation District settling ponds north of Nyssa11,000 square miles of Malheur County is irrigated, according to Jay Chamberlin of the Owyhee Irrigation District. There are 1200 patrons of the OID, which costs $50 an acre to deliver water. The Owyhee Dam generates 15 MW of incidental power as well.
Starvation Camp at the Snake River Crossing south of NyssaA member of Oregon's Wheat League, Larry Price told us that 10% of wheat grown in Oregon is here in Malheur County. We get some of the highest yields at 178 bushels per acre. 85% of northwest wheat is exported.
Alfalfa seed after defoliation at Price FarmsMalheur County is a seed producing area since it is somewhat isolated, with low humidity and high summer temperatures. Alfalfa seed is pollinated by leaf cutter bees, part of the "ag infrastructure."
Irrigated land alongside BLM landDriving south through Adrian you can see the stark contrast between highly productive, irrigated land and dry BLM land. "Irrigation is what makes this valley what it is," according to Jim Johnson and Jay Chamberlin.
Looking toward Grassy Mountain, an alternate utility route suggested by SIPJean Findley, retired BLM range botanist, pointed out where the BLM has designated utility corridors on public lands. "The sage grouse is stable in Oregon," she said, which is why it is not on the threatened species list as it is in other western states.
The PP&L 500 kV line near Succor Creek south of AdrianAlternate routes suggested by Stop Idaho Power followed the existing PP&L 500 kV line south of Adrian and then turn north through BLM ground rather than irrigated exclusive farm use land.
We would like to thank Jim Johnson and Adam Bless for their return trip to Malheur County, and to the members of EFSC and other officials who graciously accepted our invitation.
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