Editor's Take: October 13, 2009
jim frazier, flickr
NW Creating Less Trash
More news from the down economy today: Oregon unemployment—one of the highest in the nation—dipped slightly last month, and amidst recession, Northwesterners are throwing out less. Meanwhile, the heat is on for climate action. Also, have you recommended Sightline Daily to your friends? Click here and be entered to win two nights in Seattle.
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NW residents sending less to landfills
Oregon Public Broadcasting
10/12/2009
The down economy has one silver lining. Across the Northwest people are throwing away less trash these days.
That's good for the environment, but it's also forcing some cities and counties to lay off landfill staff or raise dump prices.
Go to article.
Five years into Portland's plan to end homelessness
Oregon Public Broadcasting
10/12/2009
Oregon is struggling through a deep recession, which is blamed for forcing hundreds, perhaps thousands more people into homelessness. In Portland, housing services are undergoing a major restructuring. Portland's nationally-recognized Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness is expected to keep the same focus for the next five years, that it had over the first five years.
Go to article.
Schwarzenegger signs two renewable energy bills
Los Angeles Times
10/12/2009
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has approved two major initiatives that will require utilities to pay consumers for generating extra power and will boost the payoff for certain solar facilities.
Go to article.
OR Rep: I-5 bridge must be smaller
Portland Tribune
10/12/2009
Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio says transportation planners need to scale back the scope and cost of the Columbia River Crossing for the project to attract federal funding.
Go to article.
Oregon unemployment rate drops slightly
Oregon Public Broadcasting
10/12/2009
Oregon's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped half a percentage point in September: to 11.5 percent. At first blush, it's good news.
Go to article.
Wolf quota eyed after nine shot near Yellowstone
Seattle Times
10/12/2009
Wildlife officials in Montana will consider changes to the state's inaugural wolf hunt after nine of the predators were shot in just three weeks along the border of Yellowstone National Park. All but two of the 11 wolves killed in Montana came from a small portion of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, along the northern border of Yellowstone.
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California tries to solve water woes
New York Times
10/13/2009
In a sign that a deal addressing California's longstanding water supply problems may be near, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger convened a special session of the Legislature on Monday to revisit a package of water bills.
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US senator: global warming bill possible soon
Seattle Times
10/12/2009
The chairman of the U.S. Senate's environment committee said Monday that it's possible Congress will pass a bill aimed at slowing global warming before international talks on a deal to limit climate change in Copenhagen in December. Sen. Barbara Boxer, the California Democrat who is co-sponsoring the bill, said she is pushing for approval of the legislation with specific targets to limit greenhouse gases, adding that the Obama administration "is very strong on this."
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Views: A warming Earth awaits leadership on climate
Oregonian
10/13/2009
The world is waiting impatiently for leadership from Obama and the United States on curbing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. The Nobel committee's announcement included a brief reference to Obama's "more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges."
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Seattle's I-1033 budget impact: $150M less in 2015
Seattle Times
10/13/2009
If state voters pass Tim Eyman's Initiative 1033 on Nov. 3, the city of Seattle would have $150 million less in 2015 than it would if the initiative fails, according to the city's budget office. Assuming the city budget would be about $1 billion that year, that means a 12 to 15 percent decrease in the amount of money available for the budget.
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