Friday, July 03, 2009

Could Oregon's Trees Make Us an Energy Exporter?

The Switch: Could Oregon’s Trees Make Us Energy Exporter?
BY ETHAN LINDSEY - OPB News
Bend, OR June 22, 2009 10:48 a.m

GRP: What used to be considered merely fuel for a bonfire is now considered Biomass.

When you flip the switch, where does your power come from? And what will power Northwest homes and businesses in the future?We're asking these questions and more for our special series The Switch.
Just like last summer, gas prices have soared again and Oregon is near the national high – about $2.81 per gallon.

Which brings us to OPB’s energy series, The Switch.

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Thursday, July 02, 2009

Obama Calls Wyden Health Plan Radical?

Obama Calls Wyden Health Plan Radical
By Charles Pope - The Oregonian
Wednesday July 01, 2009, 8:53 PM

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama praised Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden on Wednesday as a "real thought leader" and ally on health care reform but said he could not support Wyden's controversial plan for providing medical insurance to virtually every American.

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Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Public Employees Unions;The Fight For Control Of Oregon

The Fight for Control of Oregon
By Larry Huss - Oregon Catalyst

Wednesday, July 1. 2009

The 2009 legislative session has ended. The most notable accomplishment was to raise taxes by more than $1 Billion. With the Democrats having a super majority in both houses of the Oregon legislature, the fact that taxes would increase was a foregone conclusion. The general fund budget will increase by nearly $1 Billion while the all funds budget will increase by $5.4 Billion.

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Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The LNG Front; Oregon House Bill 3058 Dies Along With HB977 And State Senator Walker Is Pissed!

Walker’s adjournment more bitter than sweet
Posted by David Steves - Register-Guard
06/29/099:50pm

While everyone else in the Legislature was getting into the “sign-my-year-book” school’s out vibe of adjournment Monday night, Sen. Vicki Walker was hopping mad.

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From Peter Huhtala - Executive Director, Columbia River Business Alliance - "Congratulations to all who worked to educate our legislators about the insidious foolishness of these proposed LNG terminals. The session is now over and the Oregon Senate did not take up 3058, which as you know could have expedited LNG pipeline permits.
Unfortunately, Senate Bill 977, which would have recovered some of the state agency costs associated with LNG speculation, also failed to pass. Senator Vicki Walker (D-Eugene)
let both houses of the legislature know how she felt before the end of the session. http://blogs.registerguard.com/cms/index.php/capitol-notebook/comments/walkers-adjournment-more-bitter-than-sweet/ I sent a thank you note.
In defeating 3058 we showed the strength and effectiveness of our coalition. I am confident that we can persist and ultimately reject the LNG terminal proposals. And we have certainly learned a bit about those who represent us in Salem."

Peter Huhtala
PO Box 682
Astoria, Oregon 97103
(503) 468-8038

peterhuhtala@gmail.com

AP: LNG Laden Rail Tank Car Explodes In Italy, Kills 10, Injures 50, Evacuates 1000, Extensive Damage

Freight Train Derails, Kills 10 In Italy

By MARTA FALCONI – 8 hours ago

VIAREGGIO, Italy (AP) — A rail car filled with liquefied natural gas exploded when a freight train derailed in the middle of a small Italian town, setting off an inferno that killed at least 10 people and injured 50 others, officials said Tuesday.

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LNG? LPG? CNG? What's the difference?