Editor's Take: May 08, 2008
Credit: murray.senate.gov
This Just In: Bush Signs Wild Sky
The Everett Herald breaks the news: Wild Sky Wilderness is a go! President Bush signed the bill into law this morning. It's the first new tract of wilderness -- 106,000 acres of it -- for Washington state in 24 years. Meanwhile, another wilderness plan is moving forward in Southern Oregon. Read about it in the Medford Mail-Tribune.
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Bush Signs Wild Sky Into Law
Everett Herald
05/08/2008
President Bush signed legislation this morning to create the Wild Sky Wilderness, ending a nine-year political journey to provide tough federal protection on thousands of acres in eastern Snohomish County.
Go to article.
Soda Mountain Wilderness Bill Clears Committee
Medford Mail-Tribune
05/08/2008
A bill that would end cattle grazing while creating a wilderness area in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument was unanimously approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday.
Go to article.
Cascadia's Natural Environment Shaped Its Culture
Vancouver Sun
05/08/2008
Many say the Pacific Northwest is the home of the environmental movement.
It would be challenging to actually prove this claim, but the fact scholars and others think it suggests a lot about the power that the natural environment has had in shaping the culture of B.C., Washington and Oregon.
Go to article.
Free Energy Makeover in Missoula
Missoulian
05/08/2008
A plan to green up city blocks in Missoula will put some green in the pockets of residents, too.
The city will deliver to the power company eight blocks of customers ready to conserve energy. Instead of spending all its marketing money trying to reach those customers, NorthWestern spends some dough making those homes more efficient.
Go to article.
Victoria-area Plan Delivers Real Affordable Housing
Victoria Times Colonist
05/08/2008
Every 10th house built in suburban Victoria will be in reach of the average family under a new municipal affordable housing program.
Builders must construct one affordable house -- it must be sold for approximately $160,000 -- out of every 10 new houses built. That's in a market where single-family detached housing can't be found anywhere else in the region for less than $340,000.
Go to article.
Duwamish: We Are Not Extinct!
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
05/08/2008
The Duwamish -- the tribe of Chief Seattle -- is suing the federal government to reverse its determination that they are extinct as a people.
Go to article.
BC Natives Held Back from Growth
BC Local News
05/08/2008
First Nations on Vancouver Island -- and throughout British Columbia -- are getting restless. Everywhere there is prosperity, development, construction, high employment, except on their reserves. They want in, but are held back, they say, by the Indian Act and the slowness of land claims and treaty settlement, which combine to prevent access to the natural resources they believe are theirs.
Go to article.
German Solar Expert Sees Green Gaps in Oregon
Oregonian
05/08/2008
When Gunter Erfurt left Germany to lead a solar company in Oregon, he left behind his biodiesel car, geothermal water heater and more. Now, ready to run a Hillsboro-based solar panel manufacturing plant, Erfurt sees how far behind Oregon lags.
Go to article.
Biomass Power: Grays Harbor Yay, Tacoma Nay
Aberdeen Daily World
05/07/2008
Offered the option of teaming up to be part of a new $100 million biomass generator that would burn wood waste, Tacoma Power decided against it.
The utility concluded that the risk of partnering with Simpson Investment Co. to be part of a new generator on the tideflats of Tacoma was too great and the power too expensive to add up to a benefit to the ratepayers.
Go to article.
Idaho Company Makes Millions from Toxic Waste
Boise Idaho Statesman
05/08/2008
The dump at Grand View, where tainted sand from Kuwait will be taken, stores hazardous material from government and industry.
Go to article.
