Editor's Take: April 16, 2008
The Sustaining Power of Wind
Indian Country News reports on efforts to jumpstart wind-energy projects on tribal lands, including a Seattle company aiming to help tribes to become principal owners of turbines. Also: Washington’s Rossi revives a dead Viaduct solution; the Oregonian reports on residents' economic struggles; and Canada considers labeling a chemical in plastics "toxic."
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Seattle-Based Native Company Launches Wind Energy Project
Indian Country Today
04/15/2008
Just as a collective of tribes is pushing for federal legislation in favor of tribal-led wind energy projects, Seattle-based company Native Green Energy is poised to launch an unprecedented effort to help tribes to become principal owners of turbines.
Go to article.
Oregonians Make Tough Money Choices to Get By
Oregonian
04/16/2008
Escalating gasoline prices. Increasing grocery bills. Skyrocketing utility costs.
They're in the headlines every day, but Oregonians are feeling the pinch in ways they haven't seen since the last recession.
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Commentary: Last Gasp for Autos
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
04/16/2008
Sen. John McCain has launched a new campaign front by pandering talk of a summer-long holiday from the federal gasoline tax, which is just under 18.5 cents of the $3.40 or so cost of a gallon of gas. While the government is doing too little to confront economic recession, this would be a terrible signal. It ducks the nation's ginormous energy, global warming, infrastructure and budget challenges.
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Rossi's Plan Would Replace Seattle Viaduct with Tunnel
Seattle Times
04/16/2008
Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi says he can solve Washington state's transportation problems with a tunnel, two bridges and $15 billion in taxpayer cash.
His critics say that with a price tag like that, he'll need a little magic, too.
Go to article.
Californians Reach for Power Over Energy
San Francisco Chronicle
04/16/2008
Marin County residents want more solar and wind power. San Francisco officials think they might be able to strike better energy deals. Some cities in the San Joaquin Valley want to build their own power plants.
From the North Bay to Hollywood, California communities are trying to exert more power over, well, their power.
Go to article.
Canada's Largest Retailer to Recall Baby Gear if Chemical Gets Toxic Label
Vancouver Sun
04/16/2008
One of Canada's largest retailers will pull all baby products containing bisphenol A from sale should the federal government slap the chemical with the "dangerous" label.
The Hudson's Bay Company has decided to pre-empt Health Canada with plans for an urgent national recall of plastic baby bottles, cups and toys containing the synthetic chemical compound from 280 Zellers and 94 Bay stores.
Go to article.
Uninsured Oregonians Flock to Emergency Rooms
Oregonian
04/16/2008
Cuts in the Oregon Health Plan led to "an abrupt and sustained increase" in the uninsured using hospital emergency rooms, a new study reports.
After the state restricted eligibility for publicly funded coverage of low-income Oregonians in 2003, hospital emergency visits by uninsured people jumped 36 percent. Uninsured visits for mental health and problems with alcohol or drugs rose even faster.
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Vancouver, B.C. Revising EcoDensity Draft
Vancouver Sun
04/16/2008
Vancouver residents need to hear more about how EcoDensity is going to provide affordable housing, the city's top planners told city council Tuesday.
That means a new draft of the city's EcoDensity Charter will have to show that not all the new housing is going to be more condos for the rich.
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Seattle's Ballard Wakes Up to Disconcerting Growth
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
04/16/2008
The first catalyst was the state Growth Management Act, which aimed to focus growth in cities -- putting new residents in areas that were closer to jobs and already had roads, utility lines, and fire and police protection -- while preserving farmland, habitat and other natural areas. Residents such as Leander say Ballard has changed since they moved there, but the pace has picked up in the past decade.
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Jobless Rate Rises in Kitsap, State
Kitsap Sun
04/16/2008
Washington's unemployment rate has jumped fourth-tenths of a percentage point, to 4.9 percent, and payrolls have shrunk by 3,200 as the state's once-torrid economy cools.
Still, state Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee said Tuesday that March was the 18th month in a row with unemployment less than 5 percent. That's the typical definition of full employment.
Go to article.
