Editor's Take: April 29, 2008
Credit: mdumlao98/flickr
Timber Talk: Slush Funds and a Dying Industry
A U.S.-imposed tariff on Canada’s timber has turned into a billion-dollar slush fund. Sen. Maria Cantwell wants to follow the money. While talking timber, it seems the study of forestry is an endangered species; WSU is cutting its program. Recycled products are the way to go now, as Hoquiam buys 100 percent recycled, local paper for city offices.
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$1 Billion Timber Slush Fund or Fair Trade Deal?
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
04/29/2008
Is it an illegal $1 billion slush fund for Bush administration friends in the timber industry, extorted from Canada and designed to evade congressional oversight?
Or is it a fairly negotiated end to an expensive trade war that's "the best thing that has happened to private forest land conservation in the United States in 100 years?"
It depends on your point of view.
Go to article.
Study of Forestry Going Extinct
Seattle Times
04/29/2008
Blame it on the lure of city life. The rise of environmentalism. The disconnect with nature.
Whatever the reason, Washington students just don't seem interested in studying forestry anymore, and Washington State University plans on cutting its program.
Go to article.
Biodiesel Producers Squeezed By High Prices
Oregon Public Broadcasting
04/28/2008
Gasoline and diesel prices hit new record highs Monday. You'd think that might drive consumers to alternative fuel. But in the case of biodiesel, prices at the pump are rising as fast as for regular fuel.
Go to article.
Pink Slips for One in 8 Lane County Employees
AP
04/28/2008
Lane County's anticipated budget for the coming year will be released this week, but the numbers have already been announced - and they're not pretty.
Because of the loss of federal timber money, the document will reflect a spending reduction of about $70 million and the loss of 188 full time equivalent employees. That's equal to one-eighth of the work force.
Go to article.
Hoquiam Goes Local With Recycled Paper
Aberdeen Daily World
04/28/2008
About 72 trees a year -- that's how much paper Hoquiam city officials hope to save by switching to the recycled office paper produced at Grays Harbor Paper in Hoquiam.
The City of Hoquiam announced this week that departments will start using Harbor 100, a 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper from Grays Harbor Paper.
Go to article.
B.C.'s Carbon Tax Coming Soon
Toronto Globe and Mail
04/29/2008
The B.C. government introduced legislation yesterday for its carbon tax that will see a cut in greenhouse gas output and an increase for those heating their homes or driving their vehicles.
The phased-in tax, which was promised in the February budget, will start Canada Day.
Go to article.
Ship Dumps Sludge in NW Water
Oregonian
04/29/2008
The first clue was the repeated, identical entries in the Egyptian cargo ship's logbook, showing that the crew transferred precisely the same amounts of gooey oil sludge to an incinerator the same way time after time.
Chief Warrant Officer Mike Pearson of the U.S. Coast Guard, inspecting the ship in November when it was docked in Portland, knew that just doesn't happen.
Go to article.
Gray Wolves Should Go Back on List
Los Angeles Times
04/29/2008
A dozen environmental groups sued the federal government Monday in an attempt to reverse a decision to remove gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains from the endangered species list.
Since the delisting went into effect March 28, at least 35 wolves have been killed in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
Go to article.
OSU a Top Green Energy User
Portland Business Journal
04/28/2008
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ranked Oregon State University the fourth-largest college or university purchaser of renewable energy or "green power" through the agency's "Green Power Challenge," which concluded Monday.
Go to article.
Washington School Lunches Farm-Grown
Tacoma News Tribune
04/29/2008
Public schools would be allowed to pay more for Washington produce as part of a new law promoted as a way to improve child nutrition while supporting Evergreen State farmers.
Go to article.
