City Of Astoria To Hear Appeal For Columbia Street Pier Condos

CITY OF ASTORIA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Astoria City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, October 20, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the Astoria City Hall, at 1095 Duane Street.

The purpose of the hearing is to consider the following Appeal(s):

1. Appeal (AP08-02) by GRQ III of Permit Extension Request by GRQ III dba Columbia Street Pier Condos for Conditional Use Request (CU06-11) to construct a four story, 15 unit condominium and 5 unit transient lodging structure with associated garages at 10 Columbia Avenue (Map T8N-R9W Section 7DB, Tax Lot 601) in the A-2 Zone (Aquatic Two Development).

The appeal is of the Astoria Planning Commission denial of the one year permit extension.

The appellant identified the following items as grounds for the appeal:
1) there have been unforseen delays in developing over the water;
2) the project has not changed; and
3) the current housing market is depressed therefore construction has been delayed.

Development Code Standards specified in 2.525 to 2.540, Articles 4, 5, 6, 9 & 11, Comprehensive Plan Sections CP.005 to CP.025, CP.030 to CP.035, CP.130 to CP.186, CP.215 to CP.235, and CP.240 to CP.255 are applicable to the.......For Complete Notice, Click On Thread Title Above

Measure 4-131: A Proxy Vote On LNG On The Lower Columbia?

Yes, I think so and only made so by the supporters of LNG siting and development.

Columbia Riverkeepers To Take The LNG Debate To Olympia!

Fri 9/26/08 7:01 PM

From: Olivia Schmidt - Columbia RiverKeeper

Hello All:This is an official notice that we are holding a RALLY AGAINST LNG!NO LNG on the Columbia River!October 6th 11am-2pm at the capitol buildingOlympia, Washington.

This is a very important event and we hope any and all of you can attend!

This is the first event we've planned for the Washington capitol and it is absolutely necessary to have an impressive turn-out.

Washington has the power to stop LNG development on the Columbia River and has the responsibility of protecting landowners that would be impacted by LNG facilities and related pipelines.

Come to the event and tell Governor Gregoire: "We want renewables -- NOT LNG."

"Washington has the power to protect the Lower Columbia" and help hold her accountable for promises to require Washington State permits for Columbia River LNG projects.

Washington residents made the trip down to Salem for our rally in February and now it is time to offer them support in their efforts to have their state exercise it's authority over LNG in the Pacific Northwest!

Please plan to carpool or catch a free ride on the "cool bus"The Bus Named Cool will be picking folks up from two locations -- contact Olivia at oliviariver@gmail.com to reserve a seat!

Pick-up times/locations:

Portland, Oregon at the Daily Grind Parking lot (SE 41st & Hawthorne) leaving at 8:10 sharp.

Kelso, Washington at the Safeway on Three Rivers Drive (411 Three Rivers Dr.) leaving at 9:30 sharp.

Please plan to arrive ten minutes prior to departure time and be sure to reserve a seat in advance!

This is an important event to make a statement to the State of Washington and to empower residents and agencies in the fight against fossil fuel development on the Columbia River.

Now is the time to act and have our voices heard!

Please invite a friend.]

Everybody will make a difference at this event!

Olivia Schmidt - Columbia Riverkeeper - (971)533-2390 oliviariver@gmail.com

New Interim County Manager, Anderson, Seems To Have Had Some Issues In Medford As Well

Unrest over Anderson began months ago

By DANI DODGE - Mail Tribune - Medford, Oregon

The rumblings started months ago: whispered comments at an out-of-town convention, a closed council session and in recent weeks small, secret gatherings. Some Medford City Council members wanted City Manager Harold "Andy" Anderson out.
And although the full council never met to make a formal decision, on Friday a council majority took action.
At 11 a.m. Anderson received an unsigned letter: resign and leave with a generous severance package, or be fired at Thursday's council meeting. Anderson handed in his resignation before the end of the day.....For Complete Article, Click On Thread Title Above.

Commissioner Hazen's Own, Candid, Account Of "The Washington Trip"

Sunday, September 21, 2008

FERC meeting in Washington DC

As most of you are aware, Commissioner Samuelson and I traveled to Washington DC to attend the September 18th FERC meeting. The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to have both of us represent Clatsop County at the meeting.....For Complete Report, Click On Thread Title Above.

From Roberts(Patricia) For Clatsop;CCBofC Land Use Code Revision Project

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Land Use Code Revision Project

Over a year ago the County Board of Commissioners asked for a review of Clatsop County Land and Water Development and Use Ordinance (LWDUO) #80-14. The existing LWDUO was adopted September 30, 1980 and though it had been revised several times during its 28-year history, it was in need of a complete rewrite. ....For Complete Piece, Click On Thread Title Above

From The Daily Astorian; New Interim County Manager Announced

9/24/2008 8:45:00 PM

Interim county manager chosen

By JOE GAMM - The Daily Astorian

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners named its interim county Manager tonight during its regular session.Harold Anderson, who was Bend city manager until this past December, will begin his service to the county Sept. 8, working with outgoing County Manager Scott Derickson.Derickson accepted the job of Woodburn city administrator Aug. 27.His last day, and Anderson's first day as manager pro tem, is to be Oct. 13, Columbus Day.....Click On Thread Title Above For Complete Article

Walmart In Clatsop County; The Guessing Game.

Where do you think it's going to go and why?

Why won't the ByPass argument die?

Natural Gas Quality Ratings; What Comes To Your House Ain't What's Necessarily In Those Pipelines

Natural gas, as it is used by consumers, is much different from the natural gas that is brought from underground up to the wellhead. Although the processing of natural gas is in many respects less complicated than the processing and refining of crude oil, it is equally as necessary before its use by end users.....For Full Story Click On Thread Title Above

Go Green!; Buy A Used Car Over A New Hybrid!

As Matt Power notes in this month's issue of Wired, hybrids get great gas mileage but it takes 113 million BTUs of energy to make a Toyota Prius. Because there are about 113,000 BTUs of energy in a gallon of gasoline, the Prius has consumed the equivalent of 1,000 gallons of gasoline before it reaches the showroom. Think of it as a carbon debt -- one you won't pay off until the Prius has turned over 46,000 miles or so.....For Complete Article, Click On Thread Title Above

We Headed For A Showdown At Today's CCBofC Meeting?

And now, another Commissioner, announces a Work Session today for a socalled "Land Use Revision Project", revising Clatsop County Land and Water Development Use Ordinance and then a "First Reading at 5:00pm?

The same ordinance they took so many libeteries with that spawned Measure 4-131?

Action Alerts?

Commissioner screaming over local Talk Radio about her own persecution?

The first County Board of Commissioners meeting after "The 4-131 Vote, is it?

Accusations still flying all over the place?

5:00pm Wednesday at Boyington Hall, Downtown Astoria.

Should be good entertainment and a chance to have your say.

From The Daily Astorian; Help For Homebuyers Forum!!!!

9/22/2008 11:29:00 AM

Housing forum offers keys to home buying

By NANCY MCCARTHYThe Daily Astorian

First-time homebuyers take heart: No matter what the headlines say about a national economic crisis, it's the best time ever to buy a house.At least that was the message repeated continually by mortgage lenders, bankers and representatives from nonprofit housing agencies speaking at the Housing Solutions forum on Saturday in Astoria.....Click On Thread Title Above For Full Article

Hydro-Energy Update

This is an overview of some hydro-energy projects that are showing much promise as alternative, sustainable energy resources on a large scale.

This may help in developing your thinking on this particular energy resource.

Do We Really Need Stop-Gap Fuels?

It’s becoming clear that energy and energy independence — you have to love that term — will be a major focus of the upcoming presidential election. While most of us are sick of the dog-and-pony shows and pundits of the past few weeks, we are also sick of the all too-easily dismissed ease of both parties’ energy policies.
Do we drill more? Do we import less? Do we use ethanol? Should all cars be flex-fuel?
There are two end goals, it seems: independence from foreign oil and eventually independence from non-renewable fuels.
I’m going to try and tackle just the first one today, and in doing so I think it might become clear that ethanol and natural gas are stopgap fuels that we just don’t need to become energy independent.
The reason I got to thinking about this was the upcoming Senate bill that would require every car to be flex-fuel... For Complete Article, Click On Thread Title Above....

Wyden Challenges Authorization To Export Natural Gas To Japan And Other Pacific Rim Countries!

Press Release of Senator Wyden

Wyden Challenges Order Authorizing Export of Alaskan Natural Gas

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Citing projections that natural gas will cost Americans an average of 22% more this winter than last, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden asked Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to review and revoke the Department of Energy’s recent order authorizing the export of 98.1 billion cubic feet of Alaskan natural gas -- enough gas to meet the needs of 1.4 million American families -- to Japan other Pacific Rim countries.... For Complete Press Release and Full Text Of Letter, Click On Thread Title Above

What Is An Ordinance?

What is an Ordinance?

Regulation or Law, as in: The city council passed an ordinance against disturbing the peace.www.business-words.com/dictionary/O.html

Does common sense tell you that as an elected official and when you take your oath of office , that you should freely swear/affirm to uphold the Laws/Ordinances you are charged with overseeing, administering and legislating?

And the sitting Clatsop County Board of Commissioners wants to sidestep that in their oath by leaving "Upholding all Ordinances" out of their oath?

It truly seems they believe they actually are an "Island Unto Themselves" and are completely unaccountable to the community they vow to serve.

And now, two of those characters that scoff at honoring the ordinancees of the county, one, over the airwaves, publicly chortling that honoring these ordinances could get one recalled by simply "wearing a certain type dress" and the other, as well, accusing another County Commissioner of a "Witch Hunt" in even wanting to change the County Oath of Office to include honoring all County Ordinances, wants to spend our tax money to go to Washington to attend a Federal Energy Commission meeting on the presumed current disposition of Bradwood Landing, where they have no testimony or input at all to just show their faces in representing our community?

I ask; What's the point?

They want to do something productive for us, get out there and find us some good clean industry to invite here that can put thousands in our community to work at good, living wage, sustainable jobs instead of just giving it lip service and waiting to abet the next wave of "Speculators" to wedge their jack boots in our door, uninvited by the community.

Better yet, take that $2-3,000(+) and donate it to the County Food Bank.

Any wonder why ammended County Comprehensive Plan and ammended Land Development and Water Use "Ordinance", 08-05's validity would be questioned by the Citizens of Clatsop County and Measure 4-131 get so much traction?

Blasts From The Past Or, How Prophetic History?

On Mar 22, 10:37 AM, Patrick McGee wrote:
(The Richard Lee Recall Vote Count)
64% For
36% Against

On Mar 22, 10:50 AM, THartill wrote:
Come now Patrick....
Richard could take a dump in the middle of the Guy Boyington building during a meeting and not be recalled by even close to that amount....there are just too many people that will support him no matter what.


Tryan Hartill January 7, 2008

There will be some major flooding during the first part of the year that will rival 1996.
The local housing market will weaken, but will be much stronger than the rest of the nation.
No Condos over the water will be built due to weak demand.
Building will continue around Astoria, but will slow inside the city limits.
Bradwood will be totally approved and will start construction in late 2008.
Oregon LNG will continue to battle, but achieve very little success.
Mark Kujala will be elected Mayor of Warrenton in January and keep his seat on the Commission in November by a landslide.
Terry Ferguson will either step down or lose in November.
Frank Orrell will win a nail-bitter.
Pete Roscoe will keep his seat on the Astoria City Council.
Russ Warr will lose a close one.
The slide above Bond Street will start up again.
The City of Astoria will install a water turbine in late 2008 and will cost twice as much as estimated so it can be installed quickly before the rainy season.
The Astoria/Warrenton Gas tax will bring in 2/3 of what was estimated.
Vince Williams and a Anti-LNG/Pro Josh Marquis person will run against Patricia Roberts…with Vince coming in 3rd in May and Patricia barely beating the Anti-LNG/Pro Marquis person in November.
Sam Patrick will not run again and a Anti-LNG/Pro Marquis person will run against Cary Johnson and Cary will win with 52% of the vote in May.
A recall will be tried against Richard Lee and will fail 55-45%.
The D.A. will have his 2 Staff Positions cut…along with 4 positions in other Depts. And the County will invoke a pay freeze for every employee to make up for a $1,000,000+ in declining Timber and other revenues.
Astoria will lose in the finals in the 4A Baseball Playoffs.
The Trailblazers will get the 7th Playoff spot in the West and Greg Oden will be cleared to play the first Playoff game.
50% more locals will be reading the local websites by the end of 2008.
The Daily Astorian will raise its Newspaper rates and lower it’s web-subscription rates to try to get more readers online and lower overhead.
All local elected officials will unite to demand a by-pass….and will continue to be ignored by ODOT.
If you have other predictions…put them in the comments….

Exiled From Another Blog Over Measure 4-131

AJ Liebling; "Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one."

With such casualness and the expending of fist loads of money on the part of Bradwood Landing/Northern Star Natural Gas and supporters to keep from visibly showing they are forced to blink, the issue of who is spewing misinformation on Measure 4-131 is really heating up.

Below is an exchange between myself and a local blog called "Oregon Guy" on a correction of information incorrectly posted on Natural Gas Pipelines that caused my expulsion.

It just isn't happening in this one example, it is rampant and coming from many local sources which lends creedence to the point that this is bad legislation and an acute misuse of a property zoned OPR (Open Space, Parks and Recreation)with no clear definition as to the rationale of the approval.

This is property intended for and quoting from the Clatsop County Land Development and Water Use Ordinance, Section 3.582, Purpose; The OPR zone is intended to provide for the conservation of Open Space; The development of areas uniquely suited for for Outdoor Recreation and the protection of designated Scenic, Natural and Cultural Resource areas.

The contention here and in the change to the Clatsop County Comprehensive Plan and the Clatsop County Land Development and Water Use Ordinance (Amendment 08-05, signed by Commissioner Patricia Roberts ion March 20, 2008) would allow Utility Transmission Rights of way through these properties and this property specifically, a 36" diameter, High Pressure Natural Gas Pipeline in what could likely be a 120' to 150' controlled right of way

Patrick McGee said...
The answer to your queries about my mechanical aptitude and experience is an affirmnative to all.The post and paragraph you are referencing in your presumed intellectual but, misguided musing was in response to misinformation on LNG pipelines posted on "Your", "This" blog and it reads; Put another way, a LNG pipeline is kind of an oxymoron. LNG is returned to a gaseous state before pipeline transmission, and natural gas pipeline pressure is generally around 2 ppf. Opponents are, quite simply, uninformed scare-mongers.

2 pounds per foot pipeline pressure, I believe, is incorrect and uninformed.

The average 36" diameter high pressure Natural Gas pipeline pressure is (+/-)1740 pounds per square inch.

Use as many comparatives as you wish but, it will not change the fact that the average pressure on that 36" dia. High Pressure Natural Gass pipeline is (+/-)1740pounds per square inch.

And now, T. Boone Pickens, lengendary oil man, says we don't need imported LNG at all, we have ample Natural Gas to wean ourselves off those imports.And by the way the appropriate use of the word, and I'm certain you being the intellectual you are, already knows this, is "Moron"
September 6, 2008 12:58 PM
Anonymous said...
McGee is a proud liar, He says thats his constitutional right. To lie to you to make his point and to convince you to come to the dark side. I'd wager its closer to 2 than 1740 psi to move something lighter than air. I could be wrong, been wrong before, I used to believe there was some good in Patrick McGee.
September 6, 2008 2:13 PM
Anonymous said...
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
September 6, 2008 7:57 PM
Patrick McGee said...
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
September 6, 2008 8:02 PM
Anonymous said...
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
September 6, 2008 9:04 PM
Patrick McGee said...
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
September 6, 2008 9:10 PM
OregonGuy said...
Boys--You wanna throw mud? Do it somewhere else.Anonymous...you are a boor. Start your own place. Just enter "blogspot" and get started. You can say whatever you want.Mr. McGee...you are a boor. Find another place to pick a fight.Both of you guys need to get a grip. Remember the Sermon on the Mount? Sometimes even I forget. Pick up a Bible and do some reading. It will be good for your soul.I apologize to all my readers for my guests' boorish behaviours. .
September 6, 2008 9:53 PM
Anonymous said...
apology accepted!
September 6, 2008 10:12 PM
Patrick McGee said...
Pick a fight "Tommy Boy"?Is that what you call correcting blatantly inaccurate and unqualified information, especially in a conversation on a critical, upcoming referendum (4-131) where you accuse others of presenting falsities?You should apologize to your few readers for your conduct, I agree.
September 7, 2008 8:41 AM
Patrick McGee said...
And now, unbelieveably you stoop to the level of manipulating content?Sad, sad, sad "Tommy"
September 7, 2008 8:45 AM
OregonGuy said...
Mr. McGee--You are no longer welcome here. You are toxic.

Wind Power: Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

An alternative to propeller driven wind turbines that show more useful and safer applications at $10,000 per 3.5Kw

The photo insert is a unit Glenn Taggart suggested warranted a review. See site address in comments


Costs
The turbine purchase cost, including all its electrical components, is extremely attractive as the cost of produced electricity with the TESNIC turbine is generally below the utility price where the average wind speed is above 5 m/s. The objective is to offer a “turn key” TESNIC turbine of 3.6 kW under $10,000 USD (installation included).
Advantages
By using the “Green electricity” generated by the TESNIC turbine you will be able to reduce your CO2 (greenhouse gas) footprint. How much CO2 emission you will save depends on how the electricity is produced by your utility and on the average wind speed at the place where the turbine is installed.
In recent years major electricity shortages, heightened our increasing concerns on our dependency on the electrical power and the power utilities. The TESNIC turbine is a cost-effective and viable alternative to break that dependency.....For more information click on thread title above

From The Daily "A"; On Replacing County Manager

9/4/2008 1:12:00 PM

The Daily Astorian

Now we must plan for the worst

County administrator must be a stabilizing influence in bad times

Some 20 years after its adoption by the voters, Clatsop County home rule government remains a work in progress.

The pending departure of County Manager Scott Derickson is a reminder of how much we have yet to learn about what the county's decision-making requires.....For full article click on thread title above.

T. Boone Pickens On US Natural Gas...Nothing On LNG Imports Either

And it doesn't include one thing about importing Foreign LNG to Transfer/Storage Terminals either.

Domestic
Natural gas is our country's second largest energy resource and a vital component of our energy supply. 98% of the natural gas used in the United States is from North America. But 70% of our oil is purchased from foreign nations.
Natural gas is one of the cleanest, safest and most useful forms of energy — residentially, commercially and industrially. The natural gas industry has existed in the United States for over 100 years and continues to grow.
Domestic natural gas reserves are twice that of petroleum. And new discoveries of natural gas and ongoing development of renewable biogas are continually adding to existing reserves.
While it is a cheap, effective and versatile fuel, less than 1% of natural gas is currently used for transportation.....For the complete plan click on thread title above

Bradwood - Waterway Suitability?

Information taken directly fron USCG Waterway Suitability Plan for Bradwood Landing and of course, the question; Who's Going To Pay For All This?

All This Going On 2.5 Times A Week?

500 yard(1500 feet) radius around tanker, moving safety/security zone to shoreline.

200 yard(600 feet) radius security zone while tanker is moored at off-load pier.

50 yard(150 feet) security zone around Storage/Transfer Terminal when no vessel is at dock.

2 Pilots required at least first six months throughout tanker transit

All daylight transits for the first six months unless approved by Captain of the Port

All Pilots must board 5 miles before Columbia River Bouy.

Overtaking by or of the LNG tanker prohibited without approval of COTP

All meetings of commercial vessels and LNG tanker must be pre-arranged via Channel 13VHF and limited to;

* CR Bouy to Tongue Point excepting commercial vessels shall avoid meeting at turns betweens bouys 22 and 29 and bouys 33 and 42.

* Vessels may arrange meetings from Tongue Point to Rice Island between bouys 42 and 54.

* Altoona to Pillar Rock. Miller Sands light#11 to light #17

* Price Island to Puget Island bouy 32 to Bradwood.

Coast Guard, FBI, Bar and River Pilots, Escort Tug Masters and other Escort Assets must meet 24 hours before an incoming tanker to coordinate incoming and outgoing transit.

Vessel transits and bar crossings will be coordinated to minimize conflicts with other deep draft vessels, recreational boaters, seasonal fisheries, and other Marine Events.

A Camera System with complete coverage of the transit route must be installed.

An additional AIS (Automatic Identification Systems) Repeater must be installed in Astoria to provide complete coverage of the Lower Columbia, requiring a fully staffed VTS(Vessel Transit Services) station with either 2 watch standers and a supervisor or 20 personnel to maintian round the clock coverage.

Three 60 Bollard Ton Tractor Tugs with Class 1 firefighting equipment.

* Due to confined channel and high wind conditions, each LNG Carrier must be escorted by two tug with at least one being a tractor tug which will join the vessel as soon as safe to do so. The primary tug will be tethered at the direction of the pilot. The third tug will assist with turning and mooring.

* Based on on the Maneuvering Simulation Study of November 4, 2005, vessels over 140,000 cubic meters will be limited to transiting during periods of 25 knot winds or less.

* Additionally, extreme wind and weather conditions may require a third tug escort for any LNG vessel. While unloading, all three tugs will remain on standby to assist with emergency departure procedures.

Meanwhile: You want to read the entire USCG Water Suitability Report, go to the link below

http://clatsopcounty.us/Assets/Dept_12/PDF/Coast%20Guard%20Waterway%20Suitability%20Report.pdf



More to come

From The Daily "A" - Derickson's Gone From County To Woodburn

8/26/2008 5:15:00 PM

The Daily Astorian

County manager heads to Woodburn

Clatsop County Manager Scott Derickson has accepted the job of city administrator for the city of Woodburn, he said Tuesday afternoon.

He expects to announce his resignation to the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners at Wednesday night's regularly scheduled meeting.....For Complete Story Click On Thread Title Above.

From The Oregonian - Bradwood Acknowledges Polls

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Ted Sickenger - The Oregonian

Backers of the proposed Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas terminal have acknowledged their polling of Clatsop County residents about an upcoming ballot measure.

Last week, two groups opposing the terminal accused Bradwood's backer, Houston-based NorthernStar Natural Gas Inc., of violating campaign finance laws by conducting "push polls" of Clatsop County voters without making required disclosures to state officials.

When pollsters advocate a particular position in what is called a push poll, backers need to report the polling as a campaign contribution.

According to Columbia Riverkeeper and Clatsop County Citizens for Common Sense, NorthernStar's poll urged county residents to vote "yes" on a Sept. 16 measure that would allow pipelines to cross county lands.

NorthernStar has challenged the measure twice in court, and the company refused to say last week whether it was conducting the polling. A day after the complaint was filed, the company disclosed to election officials that it spent $30,178 on polling and a yet-to-be-sent mailer on the referendum.

The anti-LNG groups contend NorthernStar should be subject to campaign finance fines because its disclosure came well after the applicable deadline.

NorthernStar claims that it filed within required time frames and that "Bradwood has never engaged in so-called push polling."

The secretary of state's office is investigating.

-- Ted Sickinger
©2008 Oregonian

Joe Biden?-Ready To Go Toe To Toe With The Republican Party!!

Isn't Obama promising sweeping change?

Joe Biden?

Warren Field? - Astoria Aquatic Center? - Could this be a location option for a Community Center?

What's in Astoria Aquatic Center's future but more, anticipated, financial bolstering and physical depreciation?

Could it serve another, effective, recreation based use in the future?

Warren Field, what's in its future?

Could a serviceable and flexible community facility, geared for countywide use be located there with some expansion potential?

Nuclear Power? LNG To NG For Power?

Nuclear Energy - is it really that bad?

Even the Natural Gas Suppliers say that using Natural Gas to produce Electricity is not wise!

Council Policy StatementThe Council recognizes that there are applications in which it is more energy efficient to use natural gas directly than to generate electricity from natural gas and then use the electricity in the end-use application. The Council also recognizes that in many cases the direct use of natural gas can be more economically efficient. These potentially cost-effective reductions in electricity use, while not defined as conservation in the sense the Council uses the term, are nevertheless alternatives to be considered in planning for future electricity requirements.The changing nature of energy markets, the substantial benefits that can accrue from healthy competition among natural gas, electricity and other fuels, and the desire to preserve individual energy source choices all support the Council taking a market-oriented approach to encouraging efficient fuel decisions in the region. Read The Entire Piece: http://www.nwcouncil.org/Library/2001/2001-17.htm

Let's see now, nuclear energy has gone modular and is much safer, more predictable and just as powerful as liquefied natural gas.

It is lodged in one spot with service on-site.

A unit goes wrong, unplug it and replace with a new one just like it, and remove or repair the old one.

With an LNG transfer/storage terminal 20-plus miles up a river, there would be 2.5 LNG tankers a week making round trips full of liquefied natural gas, roiling at -260 degrees, looking for the least opportunity to get out and vaporize.

All communities' life quality and infrastructure along the route would be geared to this one private corporation, and would need expensive security and fire protection measures to protect themselves from it.

There is no liability on the private corporation's part that we know of.

And now the corporation's getting all squirrelly that someone may get upset on their running a 36-inch diameter, high pressure natural gas pipeline through property intended for public use and recreation, as well - at the expense of other landowners who will simply lose their property if they don't agree to sell it to these energy speculators, abetted by government to take it if necessary.

Let's see - nuclear power and a possible meltdown, or LNG in our lives 24/7/365 for 65 years for a product we find we may not really need?

Hmm. How tough a decision is that to make?

Now There's A Better Way!

"Poop-Freeze"

Click On Thread Title For Details

Ship Ballast Dumping Danger In Our Waters?

Ballast Water Invaders

Commercial ships are transferring diseases like cholera around the world, according to new scientific research.

Biologists in the US have discovered that the ships' ballast water, which is used to stabilise the vessels at sea, contains a variety of potentially dangerous micro-organisms.

The scientists say these can harm both humans and ocean wildlife. Helen Sewell of BBC Science reports............For Complete Article, Click On Thread Title Above!!!

From The Daily "A" - Hood To Coast Organizers Issue Traffic Warnings!

8/17/2008 9:26:00 PM

From;The Daily Astorian

Warning issued about Hood to Coast traffic disruption

SEASIDE - The Nike Hood To Coast Relay organizers advise residents that traffic flow will be affected on U.S. Highway 101 starting Monday, when the pedestrian bridge will be set up, and again Aug. 24 and 25 when the bridge is removed.The work to set up the bridge overlay will be after 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday in an effort to not create further traffic delays. The event will be held Aug. 22 and 23.....For Full Information, Click On Thread Title Above

Monday Desmo-Zone To Interview Columbia River Clean Energy Coalition

Hello All:On Monday, August 18th, Marc Auerbach and I will be interviewed during the first hour of the Desmo-zone show on KAST (1370AM).

The show begins at 4pm and we expect that Michael Desmond (the host) will open the lines for callers to phone in and ask questions.

The focus of the show will be the Pipeline Referendum, but we expect the topic to stray to some general LNG issues.

We need you to call in to support a NO VOTE on the Pipeline Referendum and to ask some good questions about the Referendum and LNG.

Please tune in to 1370 AM at 4pm on Monday and plan to call-in to ask us some good VOTE NO questions on air!

The number to call is: (503) 325-2911

We look forward to fielding your questions!-Olivia Schmit - Columbia River Clean Energy Coalition.

Maybe There Really Is Affordable Housing Out There

USDA seems to have some very good opportunities available for those, of many income levels, who wish to own their own homes .

Heard a commercial this morning on KAST-AM about a development by Steve Oldstedt(sp) over in Warranton, presumably offering these opportunites.

Check it out and let us know if you attend their Open Houses @ 11:00am this Saturday at Warrenton Shilo Inns.

For USDA information click on title above

Rick Balkins Applies For Clatsop Community College Board Seat

Rick Balkins, a 2007 graduate of Clatsop Community College, has thrown his hat into the ring for a seat on Clatsop Community College's Board of Directors.

What better candidate to help guide the school into its future than a product of its own programs along with being a voice from the student and faculty perspective as well as pursuing a career as a Building Designer

He has my support on this, give him yours.

4-131 Official Ballot Language

Official Ballot Language

4-131 Election Day September 16, 2008

CAPTION: Conditionally Allows Pipelines in "Open Space, Parks and Recreation" Zone

QUESTION Should County Zoning Ordinance Be Changed to Conditionally Allow Cable and Pipelines in Open Spaces, Parks and Recreational Areas?

SUMMARY Clatsop County recently amended its zontng law(March 20, 2008) to conditionally allow the placement of cables and pipelines in areas designated "Open Space, Parks and Recreation" for purposes such as natural gas transport from a liquid natural gas facility, water and sewer, as well as other possible applications.

SECTION 5. Provisions of the Land Development and Water Use Ordinance are amended to list(Allow) "cable, sewerline, waterline or other pipeline" as a conditional use in the OPR zone as described in SECTION 6.

SECTION 6. Land Development and Water Use Ordinance & 3.586(10) is amended to state "10. cable, sewerline, waterline or other pipeline" and the current Land Development and Water Use Ordinance & 3.586(10) is made LDWUO & 3.586(11)


This vote would affect sections 5 and 6 of Clatsop County Ordinance 08-05(See above).

A "YES" vote would change county zoning law and would allow cables and pipelines as conditional uses in areas designated "Open Space, Parks and Recreation" zones.

A "NO" vote would maintain existing county zoning law prohibiting cables and pipelines as conditional uses in areas designated "Open Space, Parks and Recreation" zones.

The Overview Of What Bradwood Will Be

The Bradwood Landing LNG Project
would include the construction and
operation of an LNG import terminal
about 38 miles up the Columbia River
from its mouth, at the location of the
former lumber mill and town of
Bradwood, in Clatsop County, Oregon.
Elements of the LNG terminal include:
• A dredged maneuvering area in the
Columbia River adjacent to the existing
navigation channel maintained by the
COE;
• A single berth capable of handling
LNG carriers ranging in capacity from
100,000 to 200,000 cubic meters (m3);
• A set of four 16-inch-diameter
unloading arms on the wharf, and a
1,240-foot-long cryogenic transfer
pipeline from the wharf to the LNG
storage tanks;
• Two full-containment LNG storage
tanks, each with a capacity of 160,000
m3; and
• A set of seven submerged
combustion vaporizers to re-gasify LNG
to natural gas, with a capacity to send
out 1.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas
per day.
The EIS also addresses the potential
environmental effects of the
construction and operation of the
associated natural gas sendout pipeline
between the Bradwood Landing LNG
terminal and an interconnection with
the existing Williams Northwest
Pipeline Corporation (Williams
Northwest) interstate system near Kelso,
VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:04 Jun 13, 2008 Jkt 214001 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\16JNN1.SGM 16JNN1 rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
34008 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 116 / Monday, June 16, 2008 / Notices
1 A ‘‘pig’’ is a tool used inside of a pipeline to
clean or inspect it.
Washington. The pipeline facilities
would include:
• A 36.3-mile-long, underground,
high-pressure welded steel pipeline,
consisting of 18.9 miles of 36-inchdiameter
pipeline in Clatsop and
Columbia Counties, Oregon, and 17.4
miles of 30-inch-diameter pipeline in
Cowlitz County, Washington;
• Five meter stations, including one
at the LNG terminal, at the Georgia-
Pacific Wauna paper mill delivery
point, the interconnection with the
existing Northwest Natural Gas
Company intrastate system, the Portland
General Electric Company Beaver power
plant delivery point, and the Williams
Northwest interconnection; and
• At least five mainline block valves,
two pig 1 launchers, 1 receivers

Pickens Plan

From T. Boone Pickens:......."America is in a hole and it's getting deeper every day.

We import 70% of our oil at a cost of $700 billion a year - four times the annual cost of the Iraq war.

I've been an oil man all my life, but this is one emergency we can't drill our way out of. But if we create a new renewable energy network, we can break our addiction to foreign oil.

On January 20, 2009, a new President gets sworn in.

If we're organized, we can convince Congress to make major changes towards cleaner, cheaper and domestic energy resources."

For Complete Information, Click On Title above

Those Silly LNG Testimonials

Haven't heard such "Hokey" testimonial commercials in years and coming out of the bowels of "Energy Speculator", Bradwood Landing/Houston based,Northern Star Natural Gas?

Lady says she owns a B&B and her customers are demanding more "River Traffic" to look at while staying at her abode and that justifies her support for LNG Speculation and Development?

Local "Business Man", Steve Phillips says LNG Speculation will offer "Spin-Off" jobs, a new restaurant and stuff for young people, in essence.

The Construction Trades Union admits it already has an agreement with these "Energy Speculators", NSNG and it's a "Good Thing"? ........What would make them say that so emphatically?

"Swede Nyberg" declares LNG Speculation, with it's 10 -50, projected ends jobs is "The Cure-All" for everthing that ails us out here, "Good for the Economy, Good for the Community"?

And Helen McDaniel, a member of what she calls, a "Silent Majority" that doesn't say much but talks among themselves and have decided it is a good thing? Isn't that a "Star Chamber"?

Didn't Richard Lee use that "Silent Majority" thing when he was trying to save his ass from "Recall"?

Ands all this "Hooey" is going to assure LNG Speculation in Clatsop County and avert a successful, upcoming Referendum?

"Desperate times demand desperate measures" is in play here, it appears.

And what about all those "Spin-Off" jobs. Anybody got a list for us?

Niekes Case Dismissed?

Is this true?

Heard through the grapevine a Portalnd judge, sitting for Brownhill, dismissed James "Ace" Neikes lawsuit against Clatsop County Sheriff, Tom Bergin and Clatsop County Monday afternoon and awarded attorneys fees to Sheriff Bergin, citing and executing
a law called S.L.A.P.P. which Wikipedia defines as; A Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation ("SLAPP") is a lawsuit or a threat of lawsuit that is intended to intimidate and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their criticism or opposition. Winning the lawsuit is not necessarily the intent of the person filing the SLAPP. The plaintiff's goals are accomplished if the defendant succumbs to fear, intimidation, mounting legal costs or simple exhaustion and abandons the criticism. A SLAPP may also intimidate others from participating in the debate.

From The Daily Astorian: Crash Names Released, Death Toll Rises To Five

8/4/2008 5:42:00 PM

Death toll in Gearhart crash raised to five

The Daily AstorianUpdated 6:04 p.m.

GEARHART - More information was released about the plane crash that killed five people and injured three others during the final press conference of the day Monday.Gearhart City Administrator Dennis McNally released the names of the pilot and a passenger as Jason Ketchson and Frank Toohey, 58, both of Clatsop County. According to McNally, Ketchson was piloting the craft when it crashed into a home at 398 N. Marion St. in Gearhart....For Full Details Click On Title Above

LNG Debate: Foster Versus Desmond At Portland City Club

Is there a winner?

Download and listen to the Recoreded Debate.

You be the judge.

Click on title above to access the debate.

Are We Ready For A New Multi-Use Community Center?

Here's a concept for half of a community center

What should it encompass?

Where should it be, City or County?

How should it be funded?

So The Sandia Report Now Says 1 Mile Danger Zone You Say?

From the Sandia Report: 12 square meter breech of a tanker hold:
"Even with the increase in thermal hazard distances from pool fires for
the larger ships, the most significant impacts to public safety and property are still within
approximately 500 m of a spill, with lower public health and safety impacts at distances beyond
approximately 1600 m for near-shore operations.

See the white track on the map?"

That's the Shipping Channel going past Astoria

The Blue Hash Lines are the I mile radius off the center of the Shipping Channel and area to scale of the drawing.

From Lower_Columbia Lists:U.S. Department Of Energy Releases Revised Sandia Labs Report On LNG Spills Over Water

U.S. DOE Releases Analysis of Spills Over Water from Large LNG Carriers
Posted: July 25, 2008
The U.S. Department of Energy this afternoon released an updated report by Sandia National Laboratories, "Breach and Safety Analysis of Spills Over Water from Large Liquefied Natural Gas Carriers". The report assesses the hazards of potential spills over water from large LNG vessels. According to the report, the thermal hazard distances resulting from a spill from a large capacity LNG vessel at a near-shore facility are about 7-8% greater than the distances associated with a smaller vessel. Citing the continued development of LNG deepwater port projects, the report evaluates separately the hazards of potential LNG spills at offshore facilities. The full report is available on the Department of Energy's website.

From The Daily Astorian: Ex-Port Master Gearin Teams Up With Ken Leahy To Sell Sand For Profit From Sand Island

7/23/2008 11:37:00 AM

Sinking business rises from the sand . Controversy surrounds former Port director Peter Gearin’s new venture

By CASSANDRA PROFITA -The Daily Astorian

A new business started by former Port of Astoria director Peter Gearin is resurrecting a failed effort by the ports of Astoria and Portland to market the mounds of sand on Rice Island, the Columbia River dredge disposal site once known for its oversized Caspian tern colony....For Complete Article Click On Main Title Above

Brent Foster, Joe Desmond Engage On LNG On KMUN/ KTCB Sunday, July 27, 7-8pm

This ought to be good!

The Last DJ Session on KMUN/KTCB Sunday 7/27 7-8pm
will be a broadcast of the Portland City Club discussion
about lng with Brent Foster of Columbia Riverkeeper and
Joe Desmond of northern star. Tune in to 91.9 or 89.5 or
www.coastradio.org.

From Carol Newman

The Current State Of Coal Fired Electricty Production

Is Coal Fired Electricity the real answer over the complexity and expense of Gas Fired?

July 16, 2008

In a July 14 column, Jay Bookman questions how a Fulton County judge could possibly attempt to regulate carbon dioxide emissions when state and federal authorities are still trying to figure out whether and how to do so ("Georgia judge makes a clean choice for Planet Earth," @issue, July 14)......For Complete Article, Click On Title Above.

Looking Back On Bradwood Landing: October 15. 2007

STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OCTOBER 15, 2007 The staff recommends that the county board of commissioners take the following three actions: 1. Based on the findings in our staff reports of June 28, 2007, and August 23, 2007, and in this report, deny requests from Bradwood Landing to:
* Issue a conditional use permit for dredging in the Aquatic Conservation 2 (AC-2) Zone in accordance with LWDUO2 3.788(9);
* Re-zone 46.1 acres from AC-2 to Aquatic Development, amend the plan so as to change that area‟s designation under Goal 16 from “Conservation” to “Development,” and then allow dredging outright per LWDUO 3.744(10);
* Re-zone 5.35 acres of wetlands from Aquatic Natural (AN) to Marine Industrial (MI)), and amend the plan so as to change that area‟s designation under Goal 16 from “Natural” to “Development”;
* Find the proposed marine industrial development at Bradwood to be a small- to medium-sized development consistent with provisions in the Northeast Community Plan and the Bradwood Subarea Plan to limit the scale of development at Bradwood.
* Amend the Northeast Community Plan and the Bradwood Subarea Plan to delete text specifying that industrial development at Bradwood is limited to small- to medium-sized marine industrial plants.
* Find that the application complies with Statewide Planning Goal 16, Estuarine Resources.
* Find that the application satisfies all applicable standards from the LWDUO and the Clatsop County Standards Document.
2. Accept Bradwood Landing’s request to withdraw elements of the consolidated application requesting permits for soil disposal on-site.
3. Based on the findings adopted by the planning commission on September 28, 2007, approve all elements of the consolidated application from Bradwood not mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2 above, subject to all conditions recommended in the September 28 findings.

A Hydrogen Generator? Very Interesting!!!

A Few Questions For Bradwood Landing's Northern Star Natural Gas

1. Where can one find the exact text for the in-place, USCG, LNG Tanker Transit Security Plan applicable to Northern Star Natural Gas's Bradwood Landing LNG Storage/transfer Facility 20 miles or so up the Columbia River?

2. Who will be responsible for the costs of all security/public safety personnel and logistics required to escort the LNG Tankers to NSNG's/Bradwood Landing site?

3. In the event an LNG Tanker, for whatever reason, should founder in any way and/or breech its cargo in transit to and from NSNG's Bradwood Landing, who will be liable for damages and costs?

4. Who will cover the cost and Public Safety training and the sophisiticated fire fighting equipment necessary to address an LNG Ignition and fire anywhere along the route of transit to and from NSNG's Bradwood Landing?

5. Where can one find the exact LNG Transfer/Storage Terminal Perssonel list and the specific training and background requirements of each position?

Any more questions you may have that have not been answered?

I'll add more as they come to mind but, let's hear about your concerns.

Young mayor juggles school, parenthood, waitressing

Elkton’s 27-year-old mayor is a waitress, student and mother of two (with one on the way)

Karen McCowan - The Register-Guard

ELKTON — It was easy to pick Mayor Rebecca Swearingen out of a crowd of officials at a recent state event showing off a new bridge east of town: She was the young, very pregnant one with the wraparound shades, the ponytail and the flip-flops.....For Full Story Click On Title Above

Hurry! Got a Band? Want To Win $500.00? Astoria Regatta Needs a Few Bands For Their Battle Of The Bands

Regatta Square Battle of the Bands

August 8 & 9, 2008

Hello Bands!

Below I’ve outlined my plan for the Regatta Square Battle of the Bands.

*6 – 7 bands, 40-minute sets from 2:00pm until 7 or 8pm. Quick Release will be the house band on Friday 8pm-10pm and Saturday 8 or 9pm-11pm.

*Video-tape the 2nd song for each band – make sure it’s your best one! For this song only, it must be an original song. The recordings will be put up on AstoriaRocks.com, along with a poll.

*Online Voting from Sunday, August 10 thru Friday, August 15 at 5pm. There will also be ballots at the square. I will ask AstoriaRocks.com to allow only one vote per computer, to lessen the possibility of someone stuffing the ballot box.

*All bands will receive a participators plaque

*Winning band gets $500 – Will contact winner and arrange a time for presentation of check. Photo will be submitted to the Daily A for a story. Regatta and AstoriaRocks.com representatives will be included in the photo.

*Link www.astoriaregatta.org and www.astoriarocks.com online, with promotion on both sites.

*We will be using a sound system, amps, speakers & mic’s from North Coast Records, and a sound-tech will be available.

We believe this will not only provide great exposure for our local bands, but will help to promote www.AstoriaRocks.com to the general public who may not be aware of it if they don’t subscribe to the paper.

Please let me know at your earliest convenience if you can participate. Joni Marcks 503-325-3335

F.E.R.C. Bumps Bradwood From Agenda

A F.E.R.C. spokesperson,Tamara Young-Allen says that "The Commission" has stricken Bradwood Landing from its schedule of discussion items (A Federal License) this week claiming "The Commission" needed more time to review a number of new comments submitted since Thursday's meeting was scheduled.

From The Daily Astorian -Governor "K" Scolds FERC For "Fatally Flawed" Analysis

Saturday, July 12, 2008
2:49:00 PM

Governor scolds FERC for "fatally flawed" analysis

By CASSANDRA PROFITA - The Daily Astorian

Gov. Ted Kulongoski says federal energy regulators are working with a "fatally flawed and legally deficient" environmental analysis as they consider approval of the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas project.

With the project on next week's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission agenda, a final decision could be drawing near.

In a letter sent today, Kulongoski scolded FERC for moving toward approval with a flawed description of the project's impacts that ignores legal obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act......For Complete Article Click On Title Above

From "The Oregonian":FERC puts LNG terminal along Columbia on next week's agenda

The Move Surprises The Company, Oregon and Environmentalists

Friday, July 11, 2008

TED SICKINGER - The Oregonian Staff

Federal energy regulators will consider and possibly vote Thursday on whether to approve the proposed Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas terminal, located about 20 miles east of Astoria on the Columbia River.

The possible vote by the five-member Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C., is coming earlier than state leaders, opponents of the project and even Bradwood's backers expected.

The commission just issued its 700-page final environmental impact statement on the project last month. And under the agency's administrative rules, Thursday's meeting is the first in which the commission is allowed to vote on the project....For Complete Article Click On Title Above

Senate Seeker Merkley(D) Says Let The States Site LNG!!

7/7/2008 11:26:00 AM


Hear Steve Forrester of The Daily Astorian interview candidate Jeff Merkley on KMUN radio's "After Deadline" show 9:30 a.m. Friday. The interview will also be available Friday on:(After Deadline Radio Show)

By JOE GAMM - The Daily Astorian

U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Merkley(D) campaigned through the North Coast Friday with several key messages - including a belief that siting decisions for liquefied natural gas terminals should be made by the states not the feds.His other campaign themes were:• The U.S. needs to free itself of dependence on Middle Eastern oil.• Too many jobs are headed overseas.....For Complete Article Click On Title Above

Is Performance Based County Budgeting Working?

III. THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET
3.01 In contrast with accounting records which are retrospective, a budget is generally a projection of future revenues and expenditures. At a minimum, a budget is used to control financial transactions. However, in addition to controlling financial transactions, a budget should also be used as a management and planning tool. Work load and service goal objectives are objectives are included in the budget document.
3.02 Because governments allocate services, budgets are needed to plan for and control the receipt and expenditure of monies to meet these ends. Each government’s budgetary process is affected by numerous variables (e.g., the law; intergovernmental transfers; governmental structure; the regional and national economies; the nature of the service provided; and the personalities of the principal actors). These factors heavily influence the budget process and budgetary outcomes....We do have choices in Municipal Budgeting and I am not so certain "Perfomance Based Budgeting" Is Working For Us So Much As For County Management and BOCC.... For Complete Article Clisk On Title Above.

Hydro Power: The Potential Runs Past Us Everyday

Published: June 01, 2008 12:04 am

HYDROPOWER: RAPID RETURNS?

By Dan Miner - Niagra Gazette E-mail Dan

Several companies are eyeing spots on the Niagara River floor to place a new technology they say could produce hundreds of “green collar” jobs and clean electricity. Essentially, both Massachusetts-based Free Flow Power Corp. and Texas-based Hydro Green Energy want to install finely tuned mechanical water mills, or hydropower turbines, that could conceivably produce enough electricity to power all of the homes in Niagara Falls and then some.....For Complete Article Click On Title Above

From The Daily Astorian: "Back To D.A.Square One?: Budget Woes Might Affect DA's Personnel

Thursday, June 26, 2008 11:47:00 AM

County Commission OKs budget, hears about appeals process.

An old argument about how two positions in the Clatsop County District Attorney's office are funded - and the possibility they will be the first to be cut if there's a revenue shortfall - resurfaced during Wednesday night's regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners.

Commissioner Sam Patrick said he thought there was a conflict in the 2008-09 budget the Board was preparing to pass: That two recently hired staff for the district attorney would be the first to be cut. When the positions were moved from being paid for by timber revenue to the General Fund, they were exempted from the county policy to make public safety positions the last to be cut.....For Full Article, Click on Title Above.

From The Daily Astorian:Oregon Teachers Group To Charge Seeleys With Misconduct

Wednesday, June 18, 2008 11:34:00 AM

By KARA HANSEN - The Daily Astorian

JEWELL - The Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission is charging former Jewell School District superintendent John Seeley and his wife, Jewell School employee Laura Seeley, with misconduct.

The nature of the charges "remains confidential until the final outcome of the case," said Melody Hanson, executive assistant for the commission, the state body responsible for licensing Oregon teachers and school administrators and for taking disciplinary action when educators commit crimes or violate competency and ethics standards.

The case "has to work through its process at this point," she said Wednesday.....For Complete Article, Click On Title Above

Press Release: LNG Referendum A Go For September 16, 2008 Ballot

IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 17, 2008

Signatures Validated, LNG Referendum A Go

Date Set For a Vote on LNG Pipelines in Parks in Clatsop County(Astoria, OR) Despite Northern Star's attempts to derail it in court, Clatsop County residents will be able to vote on allowing LNG-related pipelines in their parks.

Cathie Schurman, Interim County Clerk, today certified 1117 of the 1255 signatures submitted (91%), far in excess of the598 needed.

She set the date of the county-wide vote as September 16, 2008.

The ballot measure number is 4-131.

Northern Star first sued in Clatsop County court to stop the referendumentirely; then to radically change the ballot language. They failed on both counts.

The change in the zoning ordinance to allow pipelines not only affects the area near the LNG terminal, but would allow pipelines in all areas designated open space, parks, and recreation. This includes Camp Cullaby, Carnahan County Park, Fishhawk Falls County Park, North Fork Nehalem CountyPark, and Sigfridson County Park.

"As a community we implement laws that aid in the protection of ourchildren. How, in good conscience, could we as a community allow a 36-inch, high-pressure, interstate gas pipeline three feet below where our children play?" said Teri Sund, an Astoria mother of two.

Debbie Twombly, Astoria resident and also a chief petitioner, added, "Even people who support the LNG projects do not support the Commissioners making such a sweeping change to our laws to accommodate one company.

" The group Clatsop County Citizens for Common Sense www.ClatsopCommonSense.org is raising money and organizing for the vote. "We expect a vigorous campaign from a well-funded opposition, but we expect to prevail," said Marc Auerbach, one of the referendum petitioners and chair of the NorthwestProperty Rights Coalition.

Clatsop County Citizens for Common Sense Marc Auerbach Chair Northwest Property Rights Coalition and Petitionermarc@nwprc.org 503.755.2415 Don WestVice President, Columbia River Business Alliance and Petitioner donweast10@gmail.com 503.298.9937 Brent Foster Executive Director of Columbia Riverkeeper brentfoster@gorge.net 541.380.1334 Clatsop Common Sense P.O. Box 186Warrenton, Oregon 97146 www.ClatsopCommonSense.org

PP&L Takes Pot Shots At Renewable Energy?

Green Washing Utilities Attack Renewable Energy

Like a sniper shot taking out a platoon leader, the legal action taken byPP&L against third-party financing of solar has inflicted damage to afledging industry by inserting uncertainty that will spook investors regardless of how the Oregon PUC responds.

As co-founder of Onsite Energy in the 1980’s, a wholly owned subsidiary of PacifiCorp (owner of PP&L at that time), our company grew very rapidlybuilding private energy projects using efficiency improvements and renewable energy sources.

These projects were financed almost entirely by the samethird-party ownership structures questioned by PP&L today.

PP&L’s legal action is evidence that renewable energy technologies are viewed as a threat to generation sources favored by the shareholder ownedutilities and their regulators. Other examples abound: Northwest Natural Gaspromoting imported LNG for peaking gas-fired turbines that directly competewith the peak electricity produced by solar photovoltaic; PGE’s complicity with Enron’s efforts to profit off of manipulation of generation and powersupply; Oregon PUC issuing a memo concerning energy demand written by energyspeculators and their consultants.

These barriers are the tip of the iceberg of the actions that can be placed to slow or kill renewable energy projects.

Is this a business environment that can implement the goals of theLegislature and the Governor for 25% of the State’s electrical generationfrom renewable sources by 2025?

The current energy crisis is exposing our dependency on these economically and ecologically damaging energy sources. The good news is that technology exists today that is financially competitive and environmentally superior to fossil fuels. Oregon has immense renewable energy resources that are immediately developable.

In his book, Winning Our Energy Independence, S.David Freeman makes a compelling case for removing barriers and immediatelyimplementing alternatives.

Paul Sansone

From The Daily Astorian - Critics Debunk PUC Commission's Beyer

Monday, June 16, 2008 12:05 PM

Critics debunk Beyer's LNG paper - PUC chairman tells Kulongoski he thinks importing LNG is a good way for the state to ensure supply, price

By CASSANDRA PROFITA - The Daily Astorian

The chairman of Oregon's Public Utility Commission has told Gov. Ted Kulongoski he thinks importing liquefied natural gas is a good way for the state to ensure future supply and stabilize prices.

Contrary to the findings of the Oregon Department of Energy, which released a study last month concluding Oregon doesn't need LNG, PUC Chairman Lee Beyer said an LNG terminal will help meet increases in demand for natural gas and could offer some savings in transportation costs, though it would sell for about the same price as domestic gas.

"Other regions of the country are all looking to secure access to additional gas supply sources, such as LNG and nonconventional gas, to replace supplies from quickly diminishing domestic and pipeline import sources," Beyer said in a five-page memo to Kulongoski sent May 30. "The Northwest should do the same."......For Complete Article, Click On Title Above.

From The Daily Astorian: Rejected Clatsop County Commission Candidate Files Suit Agaist Clatsop County Sheriff

6/13/2008 1:05:00 PM

By JOE GAMM - The Daily Astorian

James "Ace" Neikes is suing Sheriff Tom Bergin and Clatsop County for defamation of character.

Neikes, an Astoria businessman, had applied for the Clatsop County District 3 Commissioner seat vacated when Richard Lee was recalled.

The replacement was to be appointed by the remaining four commissioners.........For The Complete Story, Click On Title Above.

From Daily Astorian: Astoria To Meet On Sustainable, Family Wage Jobs

6/13/2008 12:46:00 PM

Oregon lawmaker, union to host public conference Monday

By CASSANDRA PROFITA - The Daily Astorian

Where are the family-wage jobs in Clatsop County?

Will regional and state climate change policies help or hurt the local economy?

Do log haulers need more bargaining power as the price of gas climbs?

These questions and more will be addressed at a town hall meeting Monday, when regional experts and local politicians will talk with community members about sustainable jobs in rural Oregon from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Labor Temple, 925 Duane St., in Astoria.....For Complete Article, Click On Title Above.

From North Coast Citizen - Wheeler Crab Fest Set For June 14 & 15

6/5/2008 9:49:00 AM

Wheeler Crab Fest on tap June 14 & 15 at Waterfront Park

North Coast Citizen

The annual Wheeler Crab Festival will be held June 14 and 15, from noon to 6 p.m. at Waterfront Park in Wheeler. Admission is free and if you're so inclined enjoy a meal. The cost is for a meal is $13' and includes a half of a crab, shrimp cocktail, corn on the cob, coleslaw, bread sticks and coffee. For more information, call Melissa at (503) 368-9463 or the Chamber at (503) 368-5700......For Complete Article, Click On Title Above

From Daily Astorian - Clatsop Community College To Shoot For A $5 Million Dollar Bond

6/11/2008 11:30:00 AM

College seeks to secure local funding for campus renovation

By KARA HANSEN - The Daily Astorian

Clatsop Community College Board members are moving ahead with a plan to secure local funding for redeveloping the Jerome Avenue campus in Astoria that could be key to obtaining $100,000 in promised grant money.College leaders agreed at a regular meeting Tuesday that a $5 million bond measure would provide the final chunk of money needed to start going out for construction bids. It would also afford some elbow room for the project's estimated $25 million price tag, and it would help foot the bill for matching funds required by public and private backers.......Click On Title Above For Full Article

From Daily Astorian - Long Beach Bank Of Pacific Warns Of Credit Card Scam

6/11/2008 12:20:00 PM

One, two, three and the scammer has your credit card code indeed

East Oregonian Publishing Group

LONG BEACH, Wash. - Bankers are warning abut a new wrinkle in an old credit card scam.Jerry Phillips, risk manager for Bank of Pacific, said it is "pretty slick since the scammer provides you with all the information, except the one piece (of information) he wants.""The callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. The scammers have already gotten your card number by good old-fashioned 'dumpster diving' or maybe by using their cell phone to take a picture of your card while you were using it at a store or restaurant."Phillips explained how the scam works:.......For Complete Article, Click On Title Above

News Video On Palomar Pipeline Through Mount Hood National Forest?

View and judge for yourselves.

Click on title above to view

The Port; Crider With Chamberlain As Number two?

Is that what Holcom said?

Hiring Chamberlain as well?

Interesting concept.

Why not?

What about Larson?

I still say Ron is meant for
The Airport's future.

Should discussion on this commence immediately?

From The Daily Astorian: Port Unanimously Selects Tillamook's Crider

By CASSANDRA PROFITA - The Daily Astorian

The Port of Astoria Commission voted unanimously today to offer the Port's permanent executive director position to former Port of Tillamook Bay director Jack Crider of Lincoln City.

Ron Larsen, who has held the interim executive director position since Peter Gearin was fired last year, applied for the permanent position.

If Crider takes the job, Larsen will return to his former job as the Port's director of operations, as per his contract.

All five commissioners agreed Crider is the best choice because of his 15 years at the Port of Tillamook Bay, his extensive list of contacts in the world of Oregon ports and his ability to start work immediately.

The commissioners also agreed on their second choice, Dakota Chamberlain, a project manager at the Port of Seattle. However, they said he would need more time to adapt to the Port of Astoria while Crider could hit the ground running.

They said the fourth candidate, Lee Hutchins of Chicago, had more experience working with large-scale operations and would be better suited for a port with a bigger budget and more support staff. ......For Complete Story Clisk On Title Above

From Nehalem Political Action; LNG Alert

LNG ALERT

*Astoria, OR* The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission(FERC) released itsFinal Environmental Impact Statement(EIS) today which grossly failed toaddress concerns raised by community members, Oregon state agency andOregon's Governor regarding the Bradwood LNG terminal and pipeline.

Governor Kulongoski, Representative Wu and many others had called on FERC to prepare a new Draft EIS given significant changes in the design of the project and new information about its impacts.

FERC, however, not only refused to prepare a new draft EIS, but failed to respond to the most serious concernsraised about the inadequacy of the much-criticized draft EIS.

According to Brent Foster, Executive director of Columbia Riverkeeper, "It is really unbelievable to see FERC essentially dismiss the serious concerns raised not just by the public, but by virtually every State of Oregon agency that reviewed their initial analysis.

The Bush Administration's FERC wants to bury their head in the sand, approve the project and then leave Oregon and Washington to clean up the mess they have created.

"Brett VandenHuevel, attorney for Columbia Riverkeeper, blasted the FERCanalysis. "There are so many gaps in this EIS that FERC should really beembarrassed. They refused to consider in detail the impacts of the Palomar pipeline project that would connect to the NorthernStar LNG terminal andthey said they did not need to consider the actual global warming emissionsof this huge project. They don't take a hard look at impacts to salmon, and they've repeated the same faulty analysis of water quality, air quality, and economic impacts."

Greg Jacob of Oregon Chapter Sierra Club also criticized FERC's lack of analysis of key issues raised by a recent report by Oregon Department ofEnergy which concluded that Oregon does not need LNG. "FERC basicallyrefused to evaluate whether the project is needed, despite GovernorKulongoski's request that they do so and the State's recent report showing that LNG is unnecessary for our state. Oregon should not be forced toaccept a destructive, expensive project when better alternatives are readily available."

Cheryl Johnson, a Clatsop County school librarian and community organizer against LNG, added, "FERC never even pretended to listen to our concerns. They issued a shoddy analysis for this project and didn't account for very basic issues such as inadequate public safety and emergency responseresources. Concerns from community members and the cities of Warrenton and Astoria have fallen on deaf ears at FERC."

Gayle Kiser, president of a Cowlitz County group opposing the terminal and its pipeline, expressed anger at FERC's unwillingness to provide a clearpicture of the project. "The pipeline is proposed to cross our property, and we are appalled that FERC would put us at risk for a project that isclearly not needed. Worse yet, people along the Palomar pipeline areexcluded from this analysis despite the obvious connection between Bradwood and Palomar. We find the FEIS insulting, and we will continue to fight them on every level."

Opponents will file a written response to the FEIS this month.

* *Major issues raised by Governor Kulongoski, State of Oregon agencies andcommunity groups that were not addressed by FERC in the Final EIS include:

*1. Need for LNG*: Despite calls to consider whether or not there was aneed for LNG in Oregon or whether other alternatives could better meetOregon's energy needs, the Final EIS failed to consider whether there was aneed for LNG in Oregon. The Final EIS dismissed the recent report from theOregon Dept. of Energy finding that there was no need for LNG in Oregon andthat LNG was twice the price of other natural gas alternatives and hadsignificantly greater environmental impacts.

*2. Impacts on global warming*: FERC refused to consider the impacts thatthe proposed LNG project would have on global warming as a result of thesignificant carbon emissions and energy use needed to liquefy and ship LNGto Oregon from the Middle East and other foreign countries where itoriginates.

*3. Impacts to salmon: *State agencies from both Oregon and Washington aswell as Native American tribes strongly criticized the draft EIS's failureto adequately consider the impacts of the proposed project on Columbia Rive=rsalmon. The final EIS, however, failed to adequately study or analyze someof the most important impacts to salmon and all but ignored NorthernStar'srecent changes in the proposed project that would seriously increase impact=son salmon.

* **4. Pipeline impacts*: Because NW Natural's proposed 220-mile long Palomarpipeline would send gas from the Bradwood LNG project to theCalifornia-bound pipeline in eastern Oregon, many told FERC they needed toevaluate the impacts of this "connected" or "cumulative" action as requiredby the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). FERC, however, fails toanalyze in detail the impacts of the Palomar pipeline despite the fact itwould rip across hundreds of family farms in the Willamette Valley, crossover 290 streams and rivers, and leave a 40-mile clearcut across Mt. Hood.

*5. Threats to public safety: *Despite the federal governments own studiesshowing that communities such as Astoria could be leveled by a catastrophicfire in the event of an LNG tanker accident or terrorist attack, FERCrefused to provide any specifics about how many people would be killed orinjured in such an event, or evaluate how a city like Astoria, with fewemergency response resources, could cope with an LNG accident.

Posted by Chuck - Nehalem Political Action

California Water Law Curtailing New Development

By JENNIFER STEINHAUER

Published: June 7, 2008

PERRIS, Calif. — As California faces one of its worst droughts in two decades, building projects are being curtailed for the first time under state law by the inability of developers to find long-term water supplies.

Water authorities and other government agencies scattered throughout the state, including here in sprawling Riverside County, east of Los Angeles, have begun denying, delaying or challenging authorization for dozens of housing tracts and other developments under a state law that requires a 20-year water supply as a condition for building.
California officials suggested that the actions were .....For Full Article Click On Title Above

D.A Josh Marquis On June 5, 2008 LNG Referendum Hearing

After about an hour's arguments Wedneday afternoon by lawyers for Bradwood, Charles Hinkle of Portland, and from attorney Thane Tienson and Brent Vanderhuevel of Columbia Riverkeepers, and myself, Judge Cindee Matyas made a few changes to the proposed ballot title language that will appear on the September special election.

My job as District Attorney is to write as neutral and accurate as possible a 10-word caption,. 20- word question and no more than 175-word summary simply describing what voters are voting on. As I told Judge Matyas I felt that if both sides wanted changes I felt it was likely I had succeeded in being neutral in my language. The judge changed some phrases but agreed in part of points made by all parties. I have no issue with the changes Judge Matyas made, my role under Oregon law is simply to try to draft language. That language is now settled and it will be up to voters.

Port Meeting Minutes

March 11, 2008? and here it is June 5, 2008

Is there something they don't want us to know right away?

Any wonder critical financial information is not avaialble?

Any wonder there is a major lack of confidence in Port Operations?

Long Beach, Cal. LNG Project Killed!!!

Long Beach LNG officially dead! We did it!!!

Afterspending seven years and $80 million trying to bring aliquefied naturalgas import terminal to the Port of Long Beach, Sound EnergySolutions (SES)has finally closed its offices.

This is yet another victory fortheenvironment facilitated by the dedication of Sierra Club andvolunteers forthe Great Coastal Places Campaign! As you know, LNG's highlife-cyclegreenhouse gas emissions, severe environmental impacts, andstaggering.....For Complete Article Click On Title Above

From The Daily "A" - LNG Referendum Supporters Get Ample Signatures Into County Elections!

The Daily Astorian

Backers of a referendum on Clatsop County's approval of the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas project submitted 1,255 signatures to the county clerk this morning - more than twice the 598 signatures needed to put the issue on the ballot in September.

County residents Marc Auerbach, Debbie Twombly and Don West filed the ballot referendum petition in April to challenge the Clatsop County Commission's decision to change county law and allow gas pipelines from LNG terminals to run through lands zoned for open space, parks and recreation.

Clatsop County Citizens for Commons Sense, the group formed to spearhead the referendum effort, gathered signatures Friday at multiple locations throughout the county......For Full Story Click On Title Above

Massachusetts Bay, MA USCG Security Plan: Where's Ours?

From: Trading Markets .Com

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone around Liquefied Natural Gas Carriers (LNGCs) approaching, engaging, regasifying, disengaging, mooring or otherwise conducting operations at the deepwater port facility in Massachusetts Bay, the Northeast Gateway Deepwater Port. The zone temporarily closes all waters of Massachusetts Bay within a five hundred (500) meter radius(1650 Foot Radius) of LNCG vessels in the vicinity of the position 42 [degrees] 23' N, 070 [degrees] 36' W. The security zone is necessary to protect LNGCs calling on the deepwater port from security threats or other subversive acts. Entry into this zone is prohibited during the closure period unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Boston, Massachusetts. .........For Full Article CLick On Title Above

NewsMax: Obama Gets The Nomination

Breaking from Newsmax.com

AP: Obama Clinches Democratic Nomination, It's Over for HillaryBarack Obama effectively clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday, based on an Associated Press tally of convention delegates, becoming the first black candidate ever to lead his party into a fall campaign for the White House. For the Full Story — Go Here Now.
Special: The Oprah-Obama Connection You

City of Astoria's Letter To F.E.R.C.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICABEFORE THEFEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
Bradwood Landing LLC ) Docket No. CP06-365-000Northern Star Energy LLC ) Docket Nos. CP06-366-000CP06-376-000 CP06-377-000MOTION FOR LEAVE TO RESPOND AND RESPONSE, INCLUDING COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN, BY THECITY OF ASTORIA, OREGON

Movant-Intervenor the City of Astoria, a municipal corporation, through its City Commission, the duly elected governing body for the City of Astoria (the “City” or "Astoria"), hereby submits its response to Applicants', Northern Star Energy LLC and Bradwood Landing LLC, March 25, 2008 and April 16, 2008 Motions and Response to Comments, and its comments on the Proposed Emergency Response Plan filed March 25, 2008.BackgroundAs described in the DEIS, the City of Astoria, Oregon is a municipality consisting of approximately 6.2 square miles in geographic jurisdiction located at the mouth of the Columbia River. The City’s year round population is currently 10,000 however based on proposed development plans this is expected to increase over the next several years. The summer time population can exceed 15,000. The City is directly and significantly impacted by the proposed vessel transits carrying liquefied natural gas ("LNG") to the proposed Northern Star Natural Gas LLC ("NSNG") facility at Bradwood Landing, located at approximately river mile ("RM") 38 upstream. .....For Entire Letter Click On Title Above

Banned From CCM's Dried Salmon Message Board?

I am honored.

Obama?, McCain? - This Lady Is Pissed!

Just Click On Title Above!

From The Daily "A" - Ford Foundation Grant Will Enhance Astoria's Development Community

By SANDRA SWAIN - The Daily Astorian

Astoria has earned national recognition for its efforts to promote "a sense of place" at the mouth of the Columbia River.It was announced Monday that it will be the focus of a new initiative from The Ford Foundation, the New York-based institution which is one of the world's leading philanthropical organizations.

Details were revealed at an early evening press conference featuring Mayor Willis Van Dusen, members of the Astoria City Council and other key leaders.

The program seeks to find consensus on the direction and growth of a community while making sure that the needs of vulnerable people - like elderly and low-income residents - are not overlooked.

The project comes under the umbrella of the Environmental Simulation Center in New York, a nonprofit group specializing in community development which is supported by the Ford Foundation.....For Full Article, Click On Title Above.

The Daily Astorian Wins Six Regional Awards For Writing

The Daily Astorian won six awards in the annual Society of Professional Journalists regional contest, including three first-place trophies.

The contest was open to newspapers in five Western states and awards were for work published in 2007.

Reporter Cassandra Profita earned two first-place trophies, one in the government reporting category for her three-part series on the financial troubles of the Port of Astoria and another in the lifestyles category for a story about the annual Fisher Poets Gathering.

She also placed third in science reporting for a story about a planned undersea laboratory in the Pacific Ocean......For Complete Article Click On Title Above

From The Daily "A": Port Narrows Exectuive Director Search To Six

Interim director and two men with Tillamook links make final cut to lead agency

By CASSANDRA PROFITA - The Daily Astorian

The Port of Astoria Commission has narrowed its search for an executive director to six candidates, one of whom is the Port's acting director Ron Larsen.

The other five candidates are:

• Jack Crider of Lincoln City, former Port of Tillamook Bay executive director;

• Dakota Chamberlain of Auburn, Wash., a Port of Seattle project manager;

• George Cress of Longview, Wash., Port of Longview real estate and planning director;

• Robert Van Borssum of Tillamook, Port of Tillamook Bay Executive Director; and

• Dr. J. Lee Hutchins of Chicago, a senior program manager for the national environmental consulting firm ENSR Corp.

The Port Commission has scheduled two executive sessions this week to discuss the executive director hiring process. The board is planning to interview the six candidates and select a director this month......For Complete Article Click On Title Above