Editor's Take: March 02, 2009
Gillnetter, Pacificwebsites.com
Together Forever: Environment and Economy
Air, water, trees, fish. Today's news illustrates the interconnectedness of economic and environmental health, for better or worse. A UN report warns of climate change impacts on fisheries. Logging questioned in a BC rainforest -- an important carbon sink. Low snowpack means high energy prices in Idaho. Scrapping environmental policies for jobs? Drought threatens California.
On the flip-side, Portland's green collar reputation goes national.Editor's Top Picks
Your editor today is Anna Fahey | View All Today's News
Scrapping Environmental Policies in the Name of Jobs?
Coos Bay World
03/02/2009
The call for economic stimulus is having an unintended side effect in places like Montana and California, where environmental protections are on the verge of being repealed in the name of jobs.
One bill gets straight to the issue -- promising to exempt hundreds of millions in economic stimulus projects from environmental policies.
Go to article.
WA Farming Report Highlights Challenges
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
03/02/2009
For all of the turmoil hitting so many sectors nationally the one that has managed to stay out of the limelight is agriculture. Reports from the ag-dependent sections of Washington indicate they're muddling along, bolstered by a decent 2008 harvest and improved prices in many of the state's crop categories. But what lies ahead is uncertain.
Go to article.
Plenty of Fish in the Sea? Think again
Toronto Globe and Mail
03/02/2009
Climate change is expected to add more stress for fish populations, forcing warm-water species further toward the poles, changing marine and freshwater food webs and habitats, two new reports indicate.
Go to article.
Low Snowpack Hits Idaho Power Consumers in Pocketbook
Boise Idaho Statesman
03/02/2009
Idaho's snowpack melted away in February with one month to go before the irrigation season begins.
That means Idaho Power customers could pay more for electricity this year because the company will generate less hydroelectric power and be forced to buy more expensive power from other sources.
Go to article.
Public Won't Stand for Old-Growth Logging in BC
Victoria Times Colonist
03/02/2009
Public anger over a controversial helicopter logging operation on an island in the Englishman River has intensified with the launch of a two-week action plan for ancient forests and provincial jobs. Some of the trees felled include 150- to 550-year-old Coastal Douglas Fir trees, threatening a sensitive ecosystem.
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Alaskans Cut Utility Bills with DIY Clean Energy
Juneau Empire
03/02/2009
As utility rates continue to climb, consumers are searching for ways to bring their costs down.
Six homes on the Kenai Peninsula have connected to alternative power within the last year and more are expected to join.
Go to article.
Supreme Court Decision Could Gut Clean Water Act
Los Angeles Times
03/02/2009
A permit for Alaska's Kensington mine could gut the Clean Water Act and turn lakes and streams across the country into dump sites for polluted mine waste. The Supreme Court is expected to rule this spring.
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Water Emergency in California
NPR
03/03/2009
California has declared a statewide water emergency in the face of a punishing three-year drought. It could result in some drastic conservation measures and water rationing over the coming months, stretching from California's farm belt to major coastal cities like Los Angeles.
Go to article.
Portland's Green Collar Reputation Goes National
Portland Business Journal
03/02/2009
Portland's Gerding Edlen CEO Mark Edlen spoke at the first meeting of Biden's White House Middle Class Task Force about the role of the business community in job creation, specifically how parts of the $787 billion federal stimulus can be used to create jobs by making commercial buildings more energy efficient.
Go to article.
Views: Now's the time to Fix Washington's Tax System
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
03/02/2009
Washington state's tax system is flawed, unfair and strange. The root of the problem is the lack of a state income tax.
We've staggered through recessions in the past without addressing the income tax question. But recessions are actually a good time to make the system more fair.
Go to article.
