Help us Meet this Challenge! Give a Year End Gift Today!

		Help us stop a 47 mile-long clearcut through the Mt. Hood National Forest! Please give an end of the year gift to the Oregon Chapter today! You can help us protect Oregon’s most special places. Please give a year end gift today!   Dear Sierra Club Supporter, This past year, contributions from people like you have helped us save tens of thousands of acres of old-growth and mature forest, stall plans to locate liquefied natural gas terminals and pipelines in Oregon, play a critical role in passing a pro-environment agenda at the Oregon legislature, and much more.  You can read more about our recent successes by clicking here. Thank you for making our work possible! Looking forward, we face a number of challenges and opportunities: • At the end of the year, we will lose funding for an organizer who is coordinating our efforts to stop the Palomar Pipeline, which would create a 150 foot wide, 47 mile long clearcut through the Mt. Hood National Forest.  With the help of people like you, we will continue to retain this position and stop this reckless proposal. • We have begun an aggressive campaign to hold the Governor and the Oregon Board of Forestry accountable for protecting salmon strongholds in the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests, and we need your help to fund this important program. • We are launching a new effort to permanently protect the Owyhee Canyonlands – an amazing, two-million acre tract of public land in southeast Oregon that is threatened by overgrazing and all-terrain vehicle abuse. We can only do this with your generous support. To take advantage of these opportunities and to meet these challenges, I am writing to ask you for a contribution of $50 or more today. I appreciate that this is a big commitment, but your gift will make a tremendous difference in our efforts to protect Oregon’s environment and our most special places.  Your contribution to the Oregon Chapter is especially meaningful because 100% of your donation will be spent protecting our environment and natural resources right here in Oregon.  I hope you will consider this important gift to support the Sierra Club’s conservation work in Oregon. Warm regards, Brian Pasko Oregon Chapter Director P.S.   Times are tough for many of us, and that means your gift has never been more important. If you have any questions about the work we do or how you can become more involved in our work, please call me directly.  I can be reached at (503) 238-0442 x301. Please make your contribution to the Sierra Club’s Oregon Chapter today!

Open Letter to Governor Kulongoski – Time to Push for a Coal-Free Oregon

Last week, the Sierra Club, the Northwest Energy Coalition, and numerous other Oregon conservation and ratepayer organizations sent an open letter to Governor Ted Kulongoski, asking him to work with other Northwest Governors to push the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NWPCC) to set a plan to phase out coal as part of the regional energy mix over the next decade.

Every five years, the NWPCC sets a plan in motion that helps guide energy decisions at the Oregon Public Utility Commission, which oversees the resource plans for major utilities such as PGE, Pacificorp, and NW Natural. During the development of the draft ‘6th Plan’ of the NWPCC, the Sierra Club mobilized hundreds of Oregonians to turn out to hearings to call for an end to burning coal, which amazingly still provides 40% of Oregon’s electricity. PGE’s Boardman coal-burning power plant is Oregon’s largest stationary source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

The NWPCC’s draft 6th Plan contained laudable goals to get 85% of new energy over the next 20 years from energy efficiency and conservation, but didn’t address the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing energy sources in order to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals on the books in Oregon and other states.

Governor Kulongoski has been a leader in developing renewable energy policies and green jobs for Oregon, spearheading the effort in 2007 to adopt some of the nation’s strongest greenhouse gas reduction goals. Now its time for the Governor to push for the phaseout of outdated and dirty coal-fired power plants, like PGE’s Boardman plant, while working with other regional Governors and the NWPCC to create a coal-free Northwest.

Sierra Club Stops Third Controversial Logging Project in Umatilla National Forest

(Pendleton, Oregon).  For the third time in recent months, the Forest Service has withdrawn a scientifically-controversial large-scale timber sale sparing beautiful forests, wildlife, and spring fed salmon waterways from damaging logging. The Umatilla National Forest Supervisor withdrew the Wildcat timber sale before the Forest Service had even defended the action in Federal District Court. The Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project and the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club had challenged the project in which the Forest Service had proposed logging steep slopes, roadless areas and its claims in its analysis ran against available science. The withdrawal is the third Umatilla Forest Service timber sale recently rescinded in the face of challenges from top scientists.

The Wildcat logging project was located in remote forest within the Heppner Ranger District. The Forest Service proposed thousands of acres of logging, thinning, road building and pile burning. “The project would have degraded essential habitat for a diverse array of wildlife species, many of which are already imperiled due to widespread habitat loss and population declines as a result of past logging” said Karen Coulter director of Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project. The logging was proposed for steep slopes that are the headwaters of a number of important salmonid waterways that are tributaries to the North Fork John Day River.

In late October, in response to an appeal raising similar issues the Umatilla Forest Service withdrew the Farley logging project in the North Fork John Day District. In August, the agency withdrew its decision on the Walla Walla District’s Cobbler timber sale in the Grande Ronde watershed.  In all three projects, the agency was targeting remote interior forests that provide habitat for elk, bear, cougar, wolverine, goshawk, lynx, pileated woodpeckers and numerous other birds and wildlife species. The Farley and Cobbler logging projects were located where returning wolves are establishing new territory. Waterways in all three areas provide clear cool waters needed by imperiled redband trout, steelhead, and salmon.

While the science tells us there are benefits to light on the land thinning in low elevation dry ponderosa pine forests, the previous administration confounded the need and pushed through these projects to try to triple timber quotas.  Under the Bush administration, the agency claimed that the logging was planned to restore forest health – even though there is no scientific support for these claims. Over half of the Wildcat project, and most all of Farley and Cobbler, would have logged naturally complex moist mixed conifer and ecologically important roadless forests located at moderate to higher elevations.

Two renowned scientists conducted field and research reviews, and provided expert declarations on the project impacts and ecological harms. Dr. Richard Waring declared that the Forest Service’s claims are not in accord with natural cycles essential to forest well-being, noting that the planned logging would incur far more harm than benefit. The Forest Service also failed to consider climate change and the importance of forest carbon sequestration. Dr. Waring’s declaration cited research by Dr. Mark Harmon and others which demonstrate that logging results in a far larger carbon release than periodic wildfires. (Declaration of Dr. Waring attached)

Jonathan Rhodes, Planeto Azul Hydrological Consultants, noted the harmful effects of sediment from “temporary” and “rebuilt” roads and logging on the survival and recovery of wild fish in already stressed watersystems. Rhodes refuted erroneous agency claims that logging would help “reduce the risk of fire,” noting well documented logging harms for no measurable benefit.

The Sierra Club Oregon Chapter’s Asante Riverwind stated that: “Scientific research recognizes that natural disturbance is healthy, not a reason to log. To build resilience in an era of climate change, we need to protect the last remaining roadless areas, reduce the damaging network of roads, and halt scientifically misguided logging of the few old growth trees, living and snags, which remain on the land.”

Hey Northwest Natural!

The Northwest Natural gas company has proposed developing the controversial Palomar Pipeline, which would carry imported fossil fuel from a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal near the mouth of the Columbia River, across Mt. Hood, to a California-bound gas pipeline in central Oregon.

The Palomar pipeline would stretch over 200 miles from the mouth of the Columbia River to Central Oregon, forever damaging family-owned farms and forestlands, threatening hundreds of rivers and streams including the Wild and Scenic Clackamas River, and creating a 120 foot-wide, 47 mile-long clearcut across the Mt. Hood National Forest.

Click here to  can learn more about the Palomar Pipeline and the Sierra Club’s efforts to stop LNG in Oregon.

This past week, the Sierra Club and our conservation partners released a video and launched a corporate accountability campaign to say “Hey Northwest Natural – Stop the Palomar Pipeline!”:

In the mood for a good book?

Oregon Sierra Club volunteer Dan Cobb is so passionate about protecting our most special places, he wrote a book about it!

Set in Portland, the Wallowa Mountains, and Washington State’s San Juan Islands, THE MINE is a chilling thriller that captures the live and death struggle of a young Portland couple as they work to close down a massive illegal gold mine in eastern Oregon. The story is loosely based on the Summitville Mine disaster, where in 1990 a massive flood of cyanide, sulfuric acid, arsenic, and heavy metals decimated 17 miles of the Alamosa River and contaminated downstream farmland.

And Dan has graciously agreed to donate a portion of the proceeds from THE MINE to the Oregon Chapter!  Montana has banned cyanide heap leach mines. What is the future for such mines in Oregon? With gold over $1,000 per ounce, it’s anyone’s guess.

Click here to purchase “The Mine” and support the Sierra Club’s work in Oregon!

Ryan Evans doesn’t know it yet, but he’s in serious trouble. High in Oregon’s Wallowa Mountains, an open-pit cyanide leach mine is churning out gold by the ton, plus arsenic, cyanide, and a list of heavy metals. A biologist working for Oregon’s DEQ, Ryan is shocked when DEQ approves the mine’s expansion from 1,800 acres to over 10 square miles. Against his wife’s advice, Ryan investigates. His digging reveals deep corruption, fraud, and the likely murder of a DEQ investigator. But his tenacity catches the attention of a whistle-blower, along with the company, which will do anything to silence them both. Sometimes youthful idealism can bring a deadly penalty.

Background

In 1990, the Summitville Gold Mine in Colorado released a flood of cyanide and heavy metals into the Alamosa River, decimating 17 miles of the river. The company, Galactic Resources, quickly filed for bankruptcy and abandoned the site.  The mine soon became an EPA Superfund Site and to date, the EPA has spent over $200,000,000 for ongoing cleanup and recovery—arguably the most expensive EPA cleanup on record.

Also in 1990, the Brewer Gold Mine, near Jefferson, South Carolina, spilled over ten million gallons of solution containing cyanide and a long list of heavy metals. The spill killed over 11,000 fish and decimated 50 miles of the Lynches River. The Brewer Company later abandoned the site and the mine is now a Federal Superfund Site. Taxpayers will be paying many millions of dollars for cleanup into perpetuity.

While fiction, THE MINE is based on Colorado’s Summitville Mine disaster, Europe’s mammoth Aurul Mine catastrophe (labeled “the worst disaster since Chernobyl”) and the coming debacle: Alaska’s 20-square mile Pebble Mine.

Click here to read more!

Sierra Club and Partners halt Farley Timber Sale!

In response to an appeal filed by the Sierra Club and the League of Wilderness Defenders, the Umatilla National Forest has withdrawn their decision to pursue the Farley Timber Sale.  Similar to the Umatilla’s Cobbler timber sale, which was also withdrawn after our appeal earlier this fall, this means the Forest Service will have to conduct new environmental analysis with a new public comment and appeal period should the agency decide they still want to log this area.  This presents the Forest Service with the opportunity to revise their management plans to incorporate the recommendations of science and comply with the nation’s environmental policy laws and ecological recovery objectives.

Click here to read the appeal!

The Farley Project as proposed would have logged over 7,000 acres of land and built 9.5 miles of new road and 36 mile of reconstructed road. The project was located in important mid and high elevation remote forests, which provide  some of eastern Oregon’s best remaining wildlife habitat, including lands needed by far ranging wildlife species like wolverine, lynx, and wolves. The area is also important habitat for imperiled species such as  goshawks, forest woodpeckers and cavity nesters, and migrant birds. Located on steep slopes above essential salmon habitat considered to be among the best remaining salmon waterways in the west, the logging and road-building proposed by the Forest Service would have harmed salmon recovery, wildlife habitat, and the ecological integrity of the region’s forests.

Science experts relied on by the Sierra Club in our appeal recommended strongly against the type of logging actions planned, emphasizing that natural processes are the best  way to maintain and restore long-term forest resilience and recover imperiled wildlife and fish. Additionally, forest ecosystems play an increasingly significant role in helping counter the exponentially harmful impacts of climate change. These imperative ecological values would have been irretrievably degraded by the Farley logging and road building plans.

—————————————————-

Umatilla Ranger District Rescinds Scientifically Controversial Logging Project
For Immediate Release – October 23, 2009
Ralph Bloemers, Crag Law Center, 503.525.2727 email: ralph@crag.org (For Contact Info & Images)

(Dale, Oregon).  Earlier this week, the District Ranger of the North Fork John Day Ranger District, Umatilla National Forest issued a one line statement pulling the Farley logging project in the face of objections from scientists.  The Farley project proposed thousands of acres of logging in the rugged high elevation headwaters of the North Fork John Day River.  The agency claimed it was restoring health to drier Ponderosa pine dominated forests at lower elevations, but it was mostly logging more complex moist and sub-alpine forests located at moderate to higher elevations. This landscape is home to the last best strongholds of wild fish in the interior, wildlife like wolves and goshawk and marked by steep roadless areas.

Karen Coulter, the executive director of the Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project (based in Fossil, Oregon), worked with a team of volunteer surveyors and two top scientists to field verify the project. Dr. Richard Waring surveyed the scene and submitted his declaration along with relevant scientific studies.  Dr. Waring has worked cooperatively with various state and federal agencies for decades on ecosystem responses to climate and natural disturbance. He is one of the world’s top scientists in ecosystems and has extensive knowledge about the plants that grow in these areas. Dr. Waring has worked for decades conducting field experiments and publishing scientific papers on the natural patterns of disturbance like wind, disease insects and  fire on trees and forests.  Dr. Waring offered to bring his expertise to bear and through his field review and knowledge of the key science, he pointed out statements directly counter to the Forest Service’s claims in the Farley environmental impact statement regarding climate and insects. (Declaration of Dr. Waring attached)

Dr. Waring concluded that the Forest Service had the carbon balance wrong, and cited to studies by Mark Harmon and other top researchers demonstrating that logging, whether by clearcutting or by extensive landscape thinning, results in large carbon releases far more than any periodic natural disturbance like fire. His declaration underscored how the agency used fire as a scapegoat to go in and “treat” the area.  Disturbance, whether by fires or insects, as the science shows helps recycle nutrients, restores the systems  natural processes do the best job of storing carbon.  The second significant shortcoming that Dr. Waring identified resulted from a gross oversimplification of the core question – how does building additional roads and landings and logging of the mature (future old growth) using a variable density (thinning approach) in remote moderate to high elevation interior forest increase forest resilience?  During the last administration, the Forest Service made it standard policy to conflate the scientific evidence and use the potential for some benefit from thinning lower elevation Ponderosa pine forests as an excuse to go in and thin the moderate and higher elevation lands dominated by moister mixed-conifer and sub-alpine environments. The goal was not forest health but using an excuse to obtain commercial logs. Dr. Waring’s declaration underscored how the proposal was counterproductive.

Jonathan J. Rhodes, Planeto Azul Hydrological Consultants, looked at the vast increase in “temporary” and “rebuilt” roads, landings and the negative impacts these operations would have on the survival and recovery of wild fish.  The definition and expansive use of the term “temporary” roads has in reality permitted more and more new roads to become existing roads – bringing weeds and damage from continued use. As Rhodes pointed out, even if the use of the road is temporary the negative effects from sediment bleeding into the stressed aquatic system is permanent.   Rhodes submitted a cutting analysis on the claim of “fire risk reduction” and squarely presented the scientific dispute over the effectiveness of fire risk reduction “treatments” in these forests.

The Sierra Club Oregon Chapter’s Asante Riverwind stated that: “I am very thankful for the work of the scientists who have shared their knowledge with our field staff and the agency.  The science tells us where we can focus to get things done. To reach agreement on policy solutions, Oregonians must recognize that natural disturbance is healthy, not a reason to log.   To build resilience as we face climate change, Oregonians need to protect the last remaining roadless areas 1,000 acres or greater, honestly account for the built road network and halt scientifically misguided logging of the few old growth trees, both live and dead, that remain on the land.”

The appeal can be found at:
http://oregon.sierraclub.org/groups/juniper/library/Documents/Farley%20Appeal%209-11-2009.pdf

The Farley Appeal, scientists’ declarations, and science exhibit list are available on the website.

For a beautiful pictorial adventure and in-depth background on the ecology and management issues of Oregon’s eastside forests, from ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests, fires, dependent wildlife, and the foundational soil microbial communities upon which resilient forests depend, see our 57 slide photo and text compilation:  Forests Fire Resilience and Restoration (pdf).

Oregonians demand an End to Coal at Recent Energy Hearing

Early this week in Portland, nearly 150 concerned citizens, attended a very important hearing regarding the Northwest’s energy future to demand an end to coal-fired power.

Crowd at Hearing by Bill Purcell

The hearing was the last in a series of hearings around the Northwest held by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NWPCC). The NWPCC is the official power planning agency for the region encompassing Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington state.

The NWPCC is currently undergoing its 6th plan which will help to determine the Northwest’s energy mix for the next 20 years. Though the plan has aggressive energy efficiency targets it does not go far enough to address the critical danger of climate change. This plan states that we do not need a single fossil fuel plant to meet our future energy needs. However, it does not reduce a single ton of carbon dioxide over the next 20 years.

We need to do better.

Scientists tell us that if we are going to have any hope of avoiding catastrophic climate change we must begin to reduce our carbon emissions NOW. We have no time to lose. Help us make this plan better and to put Oregon and Northwest onto a path towards a clean energy future.

On Wednesday, October 21st, the Sierra Club is holding a Coal-Free Northwest Rally at Pioneer Square in Downtown Portland from noon-1 pm. This fun event will include a 25ft inflatable coal plant, and interactive coal train map, and a photo-petition station where you can ask for a coal-free Oregon!

Also hear powerful firsthand stories from Wyoming family rancher L J Turner and Northern Cheyenne tribal members Otto and Barbara Braided Hair about the devastating impacts of mining and burning coal in the Powder River Basin, the source of Oregon’s dirty coal.

If you can’t make it out at noon, we will also host a Community Briefing at 7pm at the Sierra Club office located at 1821 SE Ankeny, Portland.

Click here to let us know you’re coming!

Lords of Nature: Life in a Land of Great Predators

WHAT: Documentary Premier: “Lords of Nature”
WHEN: October 13 (6:30pm social, 7pm program)
WHERE: The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas, Bend

Hosted by the Oregon Sierra Club’s Juniper Group. Click here to view the flyer!

 

Birds, butterflies, beaver and antelope, wildflowers and frogs — could their survival possibly be connected to top predators like the wolf and cougar? For those who have seldom given thought to the great predators so often missing from the web of life, here is a world of reason to think again. Following in the footsteps of wolves and cougars, and the scientists working to understand their place in the rapidly changing world of nature, award-winning filmmakers Karen and Ralf Meyer of Green Fire Productions have captured the predators’ ongoing drama in their documentary, Lords of Nature: Life in a Land of Great Predators.

Narrated by Peter Coyote, Lords of Nature journeys to the heart of predator country: the Yellowstone plateau; the canyons of Zion; the farm country of northern Minnesota and the rugged open range of central Idaho – all places now resettled by the great beasts society once banished. Here scientists discover these top carnivores as revitalizing forces of nature, keystone species whose presence in sufficient numbers can dramatically reverse the slow decay of America’s wild West.

This is an acclaimed film which you won’t want to miss! Afterward we’ll hear reactions and comments from our panel of experts and then dive into a Q&A. Where: The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas, Bend – 6:30 social, 7:00 program begins. $3 suggested donation. DVD’s will be available for $20. Email Gretchen Valido at gretchen.valido@oregon.sierraclub.org to reserve your copy early; limited supply.

Birds, butterflies, beaver and antelope, wildflowers and frogs — could their survival possibly be connected to top predators like the wolf and cougar? For those who have seldom given thought to the great predators so often missing from the web of life, here is a world of reason to think again. Following in the footsteps of wolves and cougars, and the scientists working to understand their place in the rapidly changing world of nature, award-winning filmmakers Karen and Ralf Meyer of Green Fire Productions have captured the predators’ ongoing drama in their documentary, Lords of Nature: Life in a Land of Great Predators.

Narrated by Peter Coyote, Lords of Nature journeys to the heart of predator country: the Yellowstone plateau; the canyons of Zion; the farm country of northern Minnesota and the rugged open range of central Idaho – all places now resettled by the great beasts society once banished. Here scientists discover these top carnivores as revitalizing forces of nature, keystone species whose presence in sufficient numbers can dramatically reverse the slow decay of America’s wild West.

This is an acclaimed film which you won’t want to miss! Afterward we’ll hear reactions and comments from our panel of experts and then dive into a Q&A. Where: The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas, Bend – 6:30 social, 7:00 program begins. $3 suggested donation. DVD’s will be available for $20. Email Gretchen Valido at gretchen.valido@oregon.sierraclub.org to reserve your copy early; limited supply.

 

We’re Looking for a Few Good Volunteers!

The Sierra Club is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots organization for a reason – our volunteers are an integral part of everything we do!  Whether you’re interested in attending a meeting, tabling at an event, analyzing policy, helping us fundraise, or lending your handy skills around the office, there’s a place for you!

Below are a few things we’re looking for some specific help with right now, but there’s always plenty of work to be done!  If you don’t see something that interests below, please fill out our volunteer form and let us know how you can help!

Citizen’s Land Use Planning Toolkit

In some circles, land use planning and Oregon are synonymous, and good land use planning can facilitate environmental benefits ranging from saving forest land to reducing greenhouse gases.  The land use development process can be complicated and most citizens are disengaged from it.  The Oregon Chapter is looking for a volunteer to help generate a citizen’s toolkit to help demystify the process and help your fellow Oregonians take a more active role in deciding how and where Oregon communities will develop.

A number of resources are available to define and explain components of system but comprehensive, easy-to-use guide is not readily available.  Help us pull the pertinent information together and create an on-line guide to navigating the process and help citizens advocate for sustainable land uses.  So let us know if you have good written communication skills and an understanding, or interest in discovering, land use development procedures.  (This could also become a great internship for an interested student). Contact Scott Chapman at scott.chapman@oregon.sierraclub.org if you want to help out or have questions.

Fundraising Volunteer or Intern

Times are tough for many of us, and that makes good fundraising crucial  to the continued work of the Sierra Club’s Oregon Chapter.  We’re looking for someone willing to learn the ropes of effective fundraising and put those skills to work for the benefit of Oregon’s environment.  Learn how to plan house parties, research potential donors, draft good fundraising letters, develop grant proposals, and more!  This is a great opportunity for a volunteer looking to learn new skills or for a college student looking for a great internship.  Contact Brian Pasko at brian.pasko@sierraclub.org to learn more.

Office Gardener

Do you love gardening? Well, we have a job for you! If you’re an Oregonian, you’re probably familiar with buddleia, otherwise known as butterfly bush. And if you’re familiar with them, you know how big they can get. The Sierra Club office has a few of them surrounding our office, currently blocking the sunlight through our windows. Come on down and bring your loppers and clippers and help us keep our space looking clean and professional. Call Joy Keen at 503-238-0442 x300 or email her at  joy.keen@sierraclub.org to let her know when you can help.

Database Assistant

Help keep the volunteer/member database updated with correct contact information and volunteer interests. Occasional phone calling to members.

TIME COMMITMENT: 1-2 hours a week; on-going

BENEFICIAL SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE: Comfortable working on a computer at home or in the chapter office, communicating over email and phone. Organized and efficient with capturing fresh data and entering in database.

CONTACT: Joy Keen (503) 238-0442 x300 or joy.keen@sierraclub.org. Database training will be provided.

Portland Mayor Weighs in on PGEs Dirty Coal Plant

Page 1 of 3

City of

PORTLAND, OREGON

Office of Mayor Sam Adams

Sam Adams, Mayor

1221 SW Fourth Avenue, Room 340

Portland, Oregon 97204-1994

(503) 823-4120

F: (503) 823-3588

E: mayorsam@ci.portland.or.us

www.mayorsamadams.com

October 5, 2009

Jim Piro

President and CEO

Portland General Electric

121 SW Salmon

Portland, Oregon 97201

Dear Jim,

I consider PGE to be one of Portland’s most valued community partners and I am proud that

Portland General Electric is an independent Portland-based company.

I would especially like to thank PGE for working closely with the City on the Clean Energy

Works Portland pilot program, an integrated partnership to create green jobs, reduce carbon

emissions and achieve energy bill savings. With our Clean Energy Works partners, we are

showing how the public and private sectors, alongside community organizations and labor, can

achieve real social, economic and environmental equity.

I appreciate the opportunity for public comment on your draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). It

is on our firm foundation of partnership that I submit my proposed changes to your draft IRP and

offer my help to make it happen.

Upfront, I want to laud the strategies that seek to advance a cleaner, more sustainable energy

future for the Portland region. I’m pleased that the plan reflects a commitment to acquire clean

energy resources in implementing Oregon’s Renewable Energy Standard; pursues peak energy

demand reduction; and conveys PGE’s overall willingness to seek out new opportunities in

sustainable energy resources.

My primary concern, however, is that the draft IRP relies on coal-based energy production and

not enough on energy efficiency and clean technology. It is striking to me that the draft IRP

shows the share of PGE’s electricity from coal actually increasing over time, from 24 percent in

2010 to 25 percent in 2015.

Page 2 of 3

I believe such a coal-dependent IRP is a poor long-term resource strategy as carbon regulation

and firm targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are implemented. PGE’s own

assumptions about the future of Boardman are based on a regulatory environment that is certain

to change and make coal still less affordable. I strongly urge you to evaluate phasing out

Boardman and the procurement of coal-produced electricity by 2020 at the latest.

We want to help. This month, Portland City Council will be asked to approve a long-range

climate protection policy, the Climate Action Plan. The Plan establishes a goal of reducing

carbon emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels—a target based on the latest science from the

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change—and lays out a roadmap to transition our entire

community from fossil-fuel dependence to a thriving, prosperous, low-carbon society.

Energy efficiency offers compelling advantages as a high-certainty, low-cost, zero-carbon

resource that alleviates transmission issues and brings a host of related benefits. It can also keep

business costs low, making our firms more competitive and growing the local economy.

McKinsey’s recent “Pathways to a Low-Carbon Economy” study, for example, found that about

75 percent of the total carbon-reduction potential in the building sector produces net economic

benefits.1

I also note that the recent Sixth Power Plan from the Northwest Power and Conservation Council

anticipates that energy efficiency can meet 85 percent of the increased need for electricity over

the next 20 years for the entire region, considerably higher than PGE’s own forecast of meeting

half its demand growth with efficiency.2 Recent experience suggests the Power Council’s targets

are realistic: The region has achieved 762 average megawatts of efficiency over the last four

years, for example, already exceeding the five-year conservation target of 700 average

megawatts adopted in the Fifth Power Plan in 2004.3

I see many opportunities to work together with PGE to dramatically ramp up energy efficiency,

keeping costs low both for the utility and for Portland businesses and residents. The Clean

Energy Works Portland program is just one example of how we can work together to scale up

energy efficiency. Portland is currently seeking outside private and federal resources that can

help lower the costs of acquiring efficiency still further, and the IRP should consider how these

leveraged resources can help reduce PGE’s overall resource-acquisition costs.

By shifting more of your focus to energy efficiency and clean technology, you also will help to

better position the Portland region as the hub of the nation’s clean technology industry, a key

objective in our new Economic Development Strategy.4

1 “Pathways to a Low-Carbon Economy.” McKinsey & Co., 2009. URL:

www.mckinsey.com/clientservice/ccsi/pathways_low_carbon_economy.asp

2 “Draft Sixth Power Plan,” Northwest Power and Conservation Council, September 2009. URL:

http://www.nwcouncil.org/energy/powerplan/6/default.htm.

3 “Draft Northwest Power Plan recommends mostly energy efficiency to meet future demand for electricity and

reduce risk of future electricity shortages and high prices,” Northwest Power and Conservation Council, September

3, 2009. URL: http://www.nwcouncil.org/library/releases/2009/0903.htm.

4 http://pdxeconomicdevelopment.com/

Page 3 of 3

Again thank you for being one of the City’s most valued organizations. I support elements of the

draft Integrated Resource Plan that seek to advance a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for

the Portland region.

I welcome further discussion on these points. PGE’s resource decisions have never been more

important, and I look forward to participating in the formal IRP proceeding at the Public Utility

Commission.

Sincerely,

Sam Adams

Portland Mayor Sam Adams weighed in today on Portland General Electric (PGE)’’s Integrated Resource Plan.  He told PGE that Portlanders want and expect PGE to move us away from using dirty coal and to phase out the Boardman Coal Plant!

Here’s a snippet of what the Mayor said:

“My primary concern, however, is that the draft IRP relies on coal-based energy production and not enough on energy efficiency and clean technology. It is striking to me that the draft IRP shows the share of PGE’s electricity from coal actually increasing over time, from 24 percent in 2010 to 25 percent in 2015.

I believe such a coal-dependent IRP is a poor long-term resource strategy as carbon regulation and firm targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are implemented. PGE’s own assumptions about the future of Boardman are based on a regulatory environment that is certain to change and make coal still less affordable. I strongly urge you to evaluate phasing out Boardman and the procurement of coal-produced electricity by 2020 at the latest. “

Click here to read the Mayor’s entire letter.

Click here to take action for a coal free Northwest!