There were a total of 203 voters and of those 203 on the questions below they said:
Yes To An Initiative - 173(85%)
No To An Initiative - 22 (10%)
Yes To LNG - 33 (16%)
No To LNG -154 (75%)
Yes To Look At
Other Industry -155(76%)
No To Look At
Other Industry - 21(10%)
Split every hair, grasp every straw to spin this....uh...Straw Poll as you wish but the numbers are just as you see them.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
The Port: An Exciting Prospect In "Short Sea Shipping"
"Short Sea Shipping"Small, shallow draft coastal container ships and barges to blend with rail and road systems to move freight to waterborne transfer points way upriver?
That's a huge piece of the maritime commerce pie for us down here.
"Short Sea Shipping", that's what it's called and The Port of Astoria has just been presentented with another opportunity to pull its ass up out of "The Doldrums" it has put itself in and make a sound contribution to this community and its future in The Lower Columbia River's maritime commerce and I think we are perfectly suited to handle this well and we must not forget that these shippers, with ships getting massively bigger and with time of the essence, I believe, will threaten future upriver commerce because of time and will be more prone to patronize port systems that offer easy in and out and bypass us altogether without a solution.
A Lower Columbia Super Port? Well, it's a definite talking point and whether you know it or not, to my understanding, that think is already on paper and at one time slated for legislation.
My two questions...
* What's the deal with the lease-back and residual revenue of the vessels?
*How many Jobs?
The article below explains the overall scope and potential this opportunity offers us and hopefully we will seek the resources to ensure this deal isn't bungled
Read This Article From Professional Mariner On "Short Sea Shipping"
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Columbia River Business Alliance Presents: Residential Basics Of Going Solar!
Columbia River Business Alliance is helping to sponsor this great (and free) solar workshop.
Please register early so you get a seat.
Peter Huhtala, Executive Director
Columbia River Business Alliance
PO Box 682
Astoria, Oregon 97103
Visit Columbia River Business Alliance
503 468-8038
"The future of the Columbia River estuary is our business."
Residential Basics of Going Solar - 10/1/09
AstoriaThurs, Oct 1 (6:00 - 7:00pm)
This free, one hour workshop covers the basics of why solar is a smart choice for Oregon homeowners.
We will show you:
* How well solar works in Oregon's climate
* Available solar technologies
* Financial incentives and tax credits
* How to choose a contractor
Residential tax credits and incentives often pay for up to 80% of the cost!
Participants will come away with basic knowledge about solar energy systems and will be prepared for any of our 3 hour workshops, or to do more focused research on their own and start working with a contractor.
Click Here For More Information And To Register
Please register early so you get a seat.
Peter Huhtala, Executive Director
Columbia River Business Alliance
PO Box 682
Astoria, Oregon 97103
Visit Columbia River Business Alliance
503 468-8038
"The future of the Columbia River estuary is our business."
Residential Basics of Going Solar - 10/1/09
AstoriaThurs, Oct 1 (6:00 - 7:00pm)
This free, one hour workshop covers the basics of why solar is a smart choice for Oregon homeowners.
We will show you:
* How well solar works in Oregon's climate
* Available solar technologies
* Financial incentives and tax credits
* How to choose a contractor
Residential tax credits and incentives often pay for up to 80% of the cost!
Participants will come away with basic knowledge about solar energy systems and will be prepared for any of our 3 hour workshops, or to do more focused research on their own and start working with a contractor.
Click Here For More Information And To Register
Remember Measure 4-131? You Know, The Pipeline Issue The Anti-LNG Element Brainwashed The Voters In Clatsop County to Support And Vote "NO" 2 to 1?
GRP: Well, could it be this is it coming at us again all wrapped in a new package to get that Bradwood LNG, 36" Diameter High Pressure Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline through?
High Pressure Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines through Wetlands? Good Lord! If what I'm reading on this is anywhere near correct, the issue over OPR zoning and NG Pipelines was mere childs play compared to what this circus is going to be.
Can't wait to see how this one has been rewritten to attempt to justify the changing of the Zoning and County Comprehensive Plan to appease Texas based Energy Speculator, Northern Star Natural Gas.
Excerpt from a March, 2009 Daily astorian Article:"The J & S Reserve property is a 121-acre tract made up of 47 acres zoned residential agriculture-1 and 74.24 acres zoned OPR. The landowner is requesting a change that would cut down the RA-1 zone to 21 acres and change the remaining 100 acres to lake and wetland. The zone change would reduce the number of possible dwellings on the tract from 27 to 14.VandenHeuvel said the change from OPR to LW wouldn't be necessary unless Bradwood's natural gas transmission pipeline was part of the plan."Lake and wetland is almost identical to OPR except for one important change," said VandenHeuvel. "Pipelines are allowed in the lakes and wetland zoning and not allowed in the OPR. That change is absolutely unnecessary unless you are to run a pipeline through there. There's no way this is not related to the LNG pipeline."
Press Release from Clatsop County
ZONE CHANGE HEARING POSTPONED
A public hearing scheduled to be held before the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, Aug. 26 on a proposed zone change has been postponed.
The land-use application, from Mark Barnes on behalf of J & S Reserve, seeks to re-zone 121.59 acres of property in Westport. The applicant wants to change the current zoning mix from 47.35 acres Residential-Agriculture-1 and 74.24 acres Open Space Parks and Recreation to 21.85 acres Residential Agriculture-1 and 99.74 acres Lake and Wetlands. The application also includes an exception to Statewide Planning Goal 14 – Urbanization.
No new date has been set for the hearing.
High Pressure Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines through Wetlands? Good Lord! If what I'm reading on this is anywhere near correct, the issue over OPR zoning and NG Pipelines was mere childs play compared to what this circus is going to be.
Can't wait to see how this one has been rewritten to attempt to justify the changing of the Zoning and County Comprehensive Plan to appease Texas based Energy Speculator, Northern Star Natural Gas.
Excerpt from a March, 2009 Daily astorian Article:"The J & S Reserve property is a 121-acre tract made up of 47 acres zoned residential agriculture-1 and 74.24 acres zoned OPR. The landowner is requesting a change that would cut down the RA-1 zone to 21 acres and change the remaining 100 acres to lake and wetland. The zone change would reduce the number of possible dwellings on the tract from 27 to 14.VandenHeuvel said the change from OPR to LW wouldn't be necessary unless Bradwood's natural gas transmission pipeline was part of the plan."Lake and wetland is almost identical to OPR except for one important change," said VandenHeuvel. "Pipelines are allowed in the lakes and wetland zoning and not allowed in the OPR. That change is absolutely unnecessary unless you are to run a pipeline through there. There's no way this is not related to the LNG pipeline."
Press Release from Clatsop County
ZONE CHANGE HEARING POSTPONED
A public hearing scheduled to be held before the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, Aug. 26 on a proposed zone change has been postponed.
The land-use application, from Mark Barnes on behalf of J & S Reserve, seeks to re-zone 121.59 acres of property in Westport. The applicant wants to change the current zoning mix from 47.35 acres Residential-Agriculture-1 and 74.24 acres Open Space Parks and Recreation to 21.85 acres Residential Agriculture-1 and 99.74 acres Lake and Wetlands. The application also includes an exception to Statewide Planning Goal 14 – Urbanization.
No new date has been set for the hearing.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Northwest Regional ESD Super Attempts To Clarify The Ethics Investigation And Recall Of Clatsop Commissioner, Ann Samuelson From Jewel School Board
August 19, 2009
From Jim Mabbott, N.W. Regional ESD Superintendent
To the Editor:
This letter is in response to the recent recall effort regarding Clatsop County Commissioner Ann Samuelson and the “ethics investigation ” regarding her service as a Jewell School District Board member.
During her time on the Jewell Board, Ann exceeded the Oregon School Board Association code of conduct for Board members, worked tirelessly on behalf of students, staff, and community members, and had absolutely no ethics violations attached to her record.
Ann has also served on the Board of Northwest Regional Education Service District since July 1, 2007.
As you may know, over a year ago, a few Jewell School District citizens closely associated with John Seeley (former Superintendent of Jewell School District and who recently had his teaching license revoked by Oregon Teachers Standards and Practices Commission, as stated in local newspapers) filed an ethics complaint against all Jewell School District Board members (current and several former).
The ethics commission found there was no merit to those complaints other than a small notation regarding a process that has been common in the great majority of school districts in Oregon: school districts commonly meet in Executive Session to discuss the need for an immediate temporary Superintendent when the current Superintendent leaves without notice, or as in this case, is put on paid administrative leave pending an investigation (I served as one of the interim Superintendents for no compensation during that time).
It is my opinion, and the opinion of the District’s attorney, that this process is consistent with Executive Session law (ORS 192.660). In fact, this was a very rare situation in that the Ethics Commission did not penalize the district in any way.
Ann Samuelson has done nothing wrong in her role as a Jewell School District Board member or as a Clatsop County Commissioner.
You may disagree with her opinions, but is that a reason for Oregonians to recall our elected officials? If so, I suspect we wouldn’t have any!
Ann Samuelson:"Just time for a short explaination of the jewell recall, many folks that signed the orginal petition on Karl and I didn't really know what they were signing, I've talked with a number of them since. Once again lies of the followers of the superintendent,(John Seeley has since met all the requirements and restrictions of his court imposed probation) who is now on probabation for mistreating his daughter, and some anti lnger's such as Auerbach signed the petition."
From Jim Mabbott, N.W. Regional ESD Superintendent
To the Editor:
This letter is in response to the recent recall effort regarding Clatsop County Commissioner Ann Samuelson and the “ethics investigation ” regarding her service as a Jewell School District Board member.
During her time on the Jewell Board, Ann exceeded the Oregon School Board Association code of conduct for Board members, worked tirelessly on behalf of students, staff, and community members, and had absolutely no ethics violations attached to her record.
Ann has also served on the Board of Northwest Regional Education Service District since July 1, 2007.
As you may know, over a year ago, a few Jewell School District citizens closely associated with John Seeley (former Superintendent of Jewell School District and who recently had his teaching license revoked by Oregon Teachers Standards and Practices Commission, as stated in local newspapers) filed an ethics complaint against all Jewell School District Board members (current and several former).
The ethics commission found there was no merit to those complaints other than a small notation regarding a process that has been common in the great majority of school districts in Oregon: school districts commonly meet in Executive Session to discuss the need for an immediate temporary Superintendent when the current Superintendent leaves without notice, or as in this case, is put on paid administrative leave pending an investigation (I served as one of the interim Superintendents for no compensation during that time).
It is my opinion, and the opinion of the District’s attorney, that this process is consistent with Executive Session law (ORS 192.660). In fact, this was a very rare situation in that the Ethics Commission did not penalize the district in any way.
Ann Samuelson has done nothing wrong in her role as a Jewell School District Board member or as a Clatsop County Commissioner.
You may disagree with her opinions, but is that a reason for Oregonians to recall our elected officials? If so, I suspect we wouldn’t have any!
Ann Samuelson:"Just time for a short explaination of the jewell recall, many folks that signed the orginal petition on Karl and I didn't really know what they were signing, I've talked with a number of them since. Once again lies of the followers of the superintendent,(John Seeley has since met all the requirements and restrictions of his court imposed probation) who is now on probabation for mistreating his daughter, and some anti lnger's such as Auerbach signed the petition."
$8,000,000.00 In LNG Dollars And Where Does It Go? 66 Taxing Districts They Say?
How Your Clatsop County Tax Dollar Is Spent
Although you write your property tax check to Clatsop County, only some of the money goes to the county.
The county collects the taxes and then distributes the money to 66 taxing districts.
GRP: The question is...Who gets what? Anybody got a real answer to this puzzle? $8,000,000.00 to 66 taxing districts is about $122,000.00 apiece. $8,000,000.00 to 36,000 Clatsop County Citizens is about $222.00 per person. So, where's all this wealth attributable to Texas based Energy Speculator, Northern Star Natural Gas? Wonder if they can answer this riddle? Don't you think it's their responsibility to do so publicly?
For each $1 paid by the average Clatsop County taxpayer:
* 48.3 cents goes to school districts, including Clatsop Community College
* 22.3cents goes to the cities, including urban renewal districts
* 14.7 cents goes to recreation, transportation, water and other districts
* 2.6 cents goes to rural fire protection districts
Just 12.1 cents of each average tax dollar goes to the county government.
Of that 12.1 cents:
* 4.6 cents helps fund public safety and justice programs, such as sheriff's patrols, the jail, district attorney's office and juvenile department;
* 2.2 cents goes toward public service programs such as assessment and taxation, elections and records, surveyor, land-use planning and development, animal control, parks and some public health programs;
* 2 cents goes to miscellaneous services as data systems services, finance, building maintenance and veterans services;
* 1.5 cents is set aside as contingency for unforeseen expenses or revenue shortfalls;
* 0.9 cent goes for administration such as county administration, human resources, legal counsel and board of commissioners;
* 0.9 cent goes for the fair grounds special levy approved by the voters for enchanced operations and facility improvements.
Property taxes provide about one-third of the county's funding for public services. The rest comes from state and federal funds, fees for service, timber, carryover from the previous year's budget and other sources.
Although you write your property tax check to Clatsop County, only some of the money goes to the county.
The county collects the taxes and then distributes the money to 66 taxing districts.
GRP: The question is...Who gets what? Anybody got a real answer to this puzzle? $8,000,000.00 to 66 taxing districts is about $122,000.00 apiece. $8,000,000.00 to 36,000 Clatsop County Citizens is about $222.00 per person. So, where's all this wealth attributable to Texas based Energy Speculator, Northern Star Natural Gas? Wonder if they can answer this riddle? Don't you think it's their responsibility to do so publicly?
For each $1 paid by the average Clatsop County taxpayer:
* 48.3 cents goes to school districts, including Clatsop Community College
* 22.3cents goes to the cities, including urban renewal districts
* 14.7 cents goes to recreation, transportation, water and other districts
* 2.6 cents goes to rural fire protection districts
Just 12.1 cents of each average tax dollar goes to the county government.
Of that 12.1 cents:
* 4.6 cents helps fund public safety and justice programs, such as sheriff's patrols, the jail, district attorney's office and juvenile department;
* 2.2 cents goes toward public service programs such as assessment and taxation, elections and records, surveyor, land-use planning and development, animal control, parks and some public health programs;
* 2 cents goes to miscellaneous services as data systems services, finance, building maintenance and veterans services;
* 1.5 cents is set aside as contingency for unforeseen expenses or revenue shortfalls;
* 0.9 cent goes for administration such as county administration, human resources, legal counsel and board of commissioners;
* 0.9 cent goes for the fair grounds special levy approved by the voters for enchanced operations and facility improvements.
Property taxes provide about one-third of the county's funding for public services. The rest comes from state and federal funds, fees for service, timber, carryover from the previous year's budget and other sources.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
A Look Back: A Disconnect Between Constituents And Supporters
""There was a clear disconnect between commissioners who leaped to support Richard Lee and the majority of his constituents who saw his actions as unlawful and self serving," said the statement from recall organizers.".... The Daily Astorian, March 25, 2008 Voters recall Lee - County commissioner removed from seat - County Commissioner Richard Lee was recalled Tuesday in an election with a 62-percent turnout.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
LNG Arrangement With Port Of Astoria Under Criminal Investigation
As reported by: Peter Huhtala - Columbia River Business Alliance
August 19, 2009
Port Agrees To Short-Term Lease Extension
A criminal investigation is underway that is related to the November 2004 Port of Astoria lease for LNG development on the Skipanon Peninsula. Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis told port commissioners and the public that the investigation was referred to the state by his office in 2006. The Oregon Department of Justice, through the office of the Attorney General, is leading the investigation.
Mr. Marquis speculated that an outcome might emerge within one month. The determination could result in criminal charges, in which case the evidentiary basis of the indictment would not be publically available. Documentation could be disclosed if a determination is made that there was no wrongdoing, there was wrongdoing but not sufficient for prosecution, or that the statute of limitations has run out on the offense.
The port commission met to discuss signing a 30-year extension of their Skipanon Peninsula lease with the Department of State Lands (DSL), the underlying basis of their sub-lease to Oregon LNG. Commissioners Floyd Holcomb and Bill Hunsinger sharply criticized the unfavorable terms of the leases, and the vast majority of public testimony suggested non-renewal of the lease. The 2004 arrangement was for a five-year lease with two 30-year extensions.
After an executive session with three attorneys present, the Commission unanimously accepted a DSL offer to extend the Port’s renewal date by two years. This effectively changes the lease terms to 7-28-30.
The commissioners explained their vote as allowing time for the state investigation to play out, and other questions regarding ownership of the property to move toward resolution.
Oregon LNG had asked the court for injunctive relief to force renewal of the lease. A court date had been set for August 31. There was no indication if the case will now be dropped.
August 19, 2009
Port Agrees To Short-Term Lease Extension
A criminal investigation is underway that is related to the November 2004 Port of Astoria lease for LNG development on the Skipanon Peninsula. Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis told port commissioners and the public that the investigation was referred to the state by his office in 2006. The Oregon Department of Justice, through the office of the Attorney General, is leading the investigation.
Mr. Marquis speculated that an outcome might emerge within one month. The determination could result in criminal charges, in which case the evidentiary basis of the indictment would not be publically available. Documentation could be disclosed if a determination is made that there was no wrongdoing, there was wrongdoing but not sufficient for prosecution, or that the statute of limitations has run out on the offense.
The port commission met to discuss signing a 30-year extension of their Skipanon Peninsula lease with the Department of State Lands (DSL), the underlying basis of their sub-lease to Oregon LNG. Commissioners Floyd Holcomb and Bill Hunsinger sharply criticized the unfavorable terms of the leases, and the vast majority of public testimony suggested non-renewal of the lease. The 2004 arrangement was for a five-year lease with two 30-year extensions.
After an executive session with three attorneys present, the Commission unanimously accepted a DSL offer to extend the Port’s renewal date by two years. This effectively changes the lease terms to 7-28-30.
The commissioners explained their vote as allowing time for the state investigation to play out, and other questions regarding ownership of the property to move toward resolution.
Oregon LNG had asked the court for injunctive relief to force renewal of the lease. A court date had been set for August 31. There was no indication if the case will now be dropped.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
ORESTAR Campaign Finance Information On Clatsop County Recall Committees
Accountability for District 2 - ID # 13910 (Patricia Roberts)
Democracy in District 5 - ID #13863 (Ann Samueslon)
District 1 for the Columbia - ID #13953 (Jeff Hazen)
Friends of Ann - ID #10227
614149 = 10/01/2009 - Original - Friends of Ann (10227) - Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Assoc. - Cash Contribution - $500.00
596645 - 08/22/2009 - Original - Friends of Ann(10227) - Ken Leahy - Cash Contribution - $220.00
Question: Contributions to V.O.C.A.(Victims of Criminal Acts) and C.A.S.A.(Court Appointed Special Advocate)? On this issue, is it appropriate or legal in Oregon (These are 12/2007 Transactions as Cash Expenditures/Contributions)
Question: $700(Transaction #'s 589097-589098) in contributions from Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, S.S.F. a Construction Trades Union, I think already committed to or stand to gain contracts from Texas based energy speculator, Northern Star Natural Gas on the construction phase of the proposed Bradwood Landing LNG Terminal?
Is that legal, ethical or conflicting? (Transaction as a Contribution of 02/05/2008 and showing up 08/03/2009?)
589827
07/31/2009 Amended Taxpayers Association of Oregon PAC (3889) Friends of Ann (10227 Cash Expenditure$150.00
Friends of Jeff - #13869
(This Transaction is not on Hazen's Campaign Finance Activity to date 08-09-2009 and leads to the question "When are you going to report this and other activity Jeff?)589828 07/31/2009 Amended Taxpayers Association of Oregon PAC (3889) Friends of Jeff (13869) Cash Expenditure$150.00
Committee to Elect Patricia Roberts - #12810
442190 - 10/10/2008 - Original - Committee to Elect Patricia Roberts (12810) - Ken Leahy
Cash Contribution - $1,000.00
Go To ORESTAR Search Page, Type In Committee ID# and hit "Submit" key
Astoria Port Commissioner Floyd Holcom On The Loss Of NOAA To Newport
From: KAST-AM/Tom Freel's Coastwatch Blog
August 18, 2009
GRP: I'm not so certain about the seriousness of the comment as it was from and in response to a discussion on a rumor regarding Clatsop County Commissioner Ann Samueslon, a subject of a mounting recall petition movement, Freel said he heard at a cocktail party.
You decide on its import.
Floyd Holcom said...Lets set the record straight. The decision not to pursue the money to bring NOAA to Astoria had nothing to do with the County. I'm told it was primarily a decision based on a conversation Skip Hauke, and the CEDR Director had with the Daily Astoria owner Steve Forrestor.Apparently, as was told to the CEDR members, Mr. Forrestor had contacts in Seattle which told him that the State of Washington would never let NOAA leave Seattle. How wrong he was, but I'm sure he will never admit it. He failed to explain his role on his recent editorial.Despite personally working on this for two years on at least getting a look see, Sen. Betsy Johnson, Skip Hauke and others deserve a big thank you for turning the governments head toward Oregon, and at the end of the day, we'll keep trying to get something to our area.NOAA belongs in Oregon, I think Tongue Point, but it is a victory nevertheless and Newport will benefit greatly.We should all be happy and Astoria will see residual benfits of it being in Newport.I predict vessels parking at the POA because(You think Floyd means here that "The Bar" at the POA closes much later than "The Columbia River Bar"?) the bar closeses there much more than the CR Bar.Floyd
KAST Coastwatch Blog
August 18, 2009
GRP: I'm not so certain about the seriousness of the comment as it was from and in response to a discussion on a rumor regarding Clatsop County Commissioner Ann Samueslon, a subject of a mounting recall petition movement, Freel said he heard at a cocktail party.
You decide on its import.
Floyd Holcom said...Lets set the record straight. The decision not to pursue the money to bring NOAA to Astoria had nothing to do with the County. I'm told it was primarily a decision based on a conversation Skip Hauke, and the CEDR Director had with the Daily Astoria owner Steve Forrestor.Apparently, as was told to the CEDR members, Mr. Forrestor had contacts in Seattle which told him that the State of Washington would never let NOAA leave Seattle. How wrong he was, but I'm sure he will never admit it. He failed to explain his role on his recent editorial.Despite personally working on this for two years on at least getting a look see, Sen. Betsy Johnson, Skip Hauke and others deserve a big thank you for turning the governments head toward Oregon, and at the end of the day, we'll keep trying to get something to our area.NOAA belongs in Oregon, I think Tongue Point, but it is a victory nevertheless and Newport will benefit greatly.We should all be happy and Astoria will see residual benfits of it being in Newport.I predict vessels parking at the POA because(You think Floyd means here that "The Bar" at the POA closes much later than "The Columbia River Bar"?) the bar closeses there much more than the CR Bar.Floyd
KAST Coastwatch Blog
Monday, August 17, 2009
White House Appears Ready To Drop "The Public Option"
OPR News/Associated Press
August 16, 2009
Bowing to Republican pressure and an uneasy public, President Obama's administration signaled Sunday it is ready to abandon the idea of giving Americans the option of government-run insurance as part of a new health care system.
Read Article
August 16, 2009
Bowing to Republican pressure and an uneasy public, President Obama's administration signaled Sunday it is ready to abandon the idea of giving Americans the option of government-run insurance as part of a new health care system.
Read Article
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Oregon: Portland General Electric, Nissan And Etec Team Up For Largest EV Project In U.S. History
By Eric Loveday - All Cars Electric
August 7th, 2009
Recently we reported on Nissan and eTec's combined efforts to roll-out the largest EV project and charging station effort in U.S. history. Read more about it here.
Now, Portland General Electric has joined in the effort to put the charging infrastructure for EVs in place throughout Oregon as soon as possible.
PGE was selected as a strategic participant in the project and the state of Oregon has been named as one of the five markets used as a test bed for this project.
eTec chose PGE to gain understanding into EV usage patterns and how they impact the electrical grid throughout the day.
They also hope to conduct research into how EVs can interact with PGE's smart grid initiatives that kicked off recently. Jim Piro, CEO of PGE said, "This announcement is an exciting and important step forward to develop the critical infrastructure necessary in Oregon to support next-generation electric vehicles that are coming to market in 2010. This project will give us a better understanding of how charging of electric vehicles can effectively be integrated into a smart electric grid at the lowest possible cost."
In terms of electric companies, PGE is ahead of most of their competitors. They've partnered with area governments and have installed almost 20 EV charging stations in the Portland and Salem areas.
Read Full Article
August 7th, 2009
Recently we reported on Nissan and eTec's combined efforts to roll-out the largest EV project and charging station effort in U.S. history. Read more about it here.
Now, Portland General Electric has joined in the effort to put the charging infrastructure for EVs in place throughout Oregon as soon as possible.
PGE was selected as a strategic participant in the project and the state of Oregon has been named as one of the five markets used as a test bed for this project.
eTec chose PGE to gain understanding into EV usage patterns and how they impact the electrical grid throughout the day.
They also hope to conduct research into how EVs can interact with PGE's smart grid initiatives that kicked off recently. Jim Piro, CEO of PGE said, "This announcement is an exciting and important step forward to develop the critical infrastructure necessary in Oregon to support next-generation electric vehicles that are coming to market in 2010. This project will give us a better understanding of how charging of electric vehicles can effectively be integrated into a smart electric grid at the lowest possible cost."
In terms of electric companies, PGE is ahead of most of their competitors. They've partnered with area governments and have installed almost 20 EV charging stations in the Portland and Salem areas.
Read Full Article
Friday, August 14, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Who Knew What And When About Calpine? A Look Back
Who knew about Calpine, and when?
By Kate Ramsayer - The Daily Astorian
"But it has emerged that all three of the region’s elected state officials, three county commissioners, all five Warrenton city commissioners, two senior county staff, and representatives of the North Coast’s entire congressional delegation all knew about Calpine’s proposal prior to the lease being signed."
Port files reveal few written records about decision-making or research
The Port of Astoria’s executive director maintains that the port did its homework and followed appropriate due diligence procedures before signing a lease that allows Calpine Corp. to go forward with its proposed liquefied natural gas receiving terminal in Warrenton.
A Look Back - Who Knew What And When About Calpine?
By Kate Ramsayer - The Daily Astorian
"But it has emerged that all three of the region’s elected state officials, three county commissioners, all five Warrenton city commissioners, two senior county staff, and representatives of the North Coast’s entire congressional delegation all knew about Calpine’s proposal prior to the lease being signed."
Port files reveal few written records about decision-making or research
The Port of Astoria’s executive director maintains that the port did its homework and followed appropriate due diligence procedures before signing a lease that allows Calpine Corp. to go forward with its proposed liquefied natural gas receiving terminal in Warrenton.
A Look Back - Who Knew What And When About Calpine?
Monday, August 10, 2009
Wal-Mart;Wow! Was I Wrong!
All this time my money, along with a bunch of others, would have been on Wal-Mart going in out at Iverson Farms Property at Miles Crossing but, that "Secret Nygaard Property" behind Putnam's ProLube?
That's what I hear.
Yeah, that property nobody knows about.
That property that nobody in Clatsop County knows about what's going to happen there but Martin Nygaard?
Could this be true?
Wonder what's going in beside Shilo Inn?
Read Daily Article "A"
The Economics Of Wal-Mart
That's what I hear.
Yeah, that property nobody knows about.
That property that nobody in Clatsop County knows about what's going to happen there but Martin Nygaard?
Could this be true?
Wonder what's going in beside Shilo Inn?
Read Daily Article "A"
The Economics Of Wal-Mart
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Local Radio Host Pleas To Warrenton Officials To Ban Recall Petition Gatherers From City Property?
"I am thankful for all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech." ~Nancie J. Carmody
August 7, 2009 - 7:08AM
Tom Freel - KAST-AM Radio
New Northwest Broadcasters, Astoria, Oregon
Here's a question:
Why is the City Of Warrenton allowing petition gathering to happen on city property?
You may think that the slice of land in front of the Warrenton post office is owned by the Postal Service but not so. The spot where those who are seeking to recall Commission Chair Jeff Hazen is city property.
Read It For Yourself
August 7, 2009 - 7:08AM
Tom Freel - KAST-AM Radio
New Northwest Broadcasters, Astoria, Oregon
Here's a question:
Why is the City Of Warrenton allowing petition gathering to happen on city property?
You may think that the slice of land in front of the Warrenton post office is owned by the Postal Service but not so. The spot where those who are seeking to recall Commission Chair Jeff Hazen is city property.
Read It For Yourself
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
We Are Ending The Recall Poll And Reformatting For A New Poll
Below are the to-date results of our existing poll asking if you support the recall of Clatsop County Commissioners Jeff Hazen And Ann Samuelson.
We are reformatting this poll for individual input for each Commissioner
Yes To Remove Hazen 57 (79%)
No To Remove Hazen 17 (23%)
Yes To Remove Samuelson 66 (91%)
No To Remove Samuelson 5 (6%)
Change your vote
Votes so far: 72
Days left to vote: 24
We are reformatting this poll for individual input for each Commissioner
Yes To Remove Hazen 57 (79%)
No To Remove Hazen 17 (23%)
Yes To Remove Samuelson 66 (91%)
No To Remove Samuelson 5 (6%)
Change your vote
Votes so far: 72
Days left to vote: 24
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Local Radio Host Complains To U.S. Weather Service About The Weather
Tom Freel - KAST-AM - Coastwatch Call-In
New Northwest Broadcasters - Astoria, Oregon
July 31, 2009
To The National Weather Service
Dear Sirs,
While I understand how difficult it can be to construct an accurate forecast 100% of the time, your average is well below what one would expect for the North Oregon Coast . If we were to track forecast to actual outcomes over any given period the result would be dismal.
Read Complaint
New Northwest Broadcasters - Astoria, Oregon
July 31, 2009
To The National Weather Service
Dear Sirs,
While I understand how difficult it can be to construct an accurate forecast 100% of the time, your average is well below what one would expect for the North Oregon Coast . If we were to track forecast to actual outcomes over any given period the result would be dismal.
Read Complaint
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)