|
|
|
Media Summary
Contact Carol Winkel
for more information. Also see archive.
Overview for July - September 13, 2002
Media coverage in July and August focused on the dispute between Oregon
Governor John Kitzhaber and Oregon Council member John Brogoitti.
JULY
The R&D of Energy--The AOI Business Viewpoint, Salem, OR
Story on current research and development trends in energy
resources. Quotes Council staff: "In the spring and
summer of 2000, many circumstances converged to create the energy crisis,
said Jeff King, a resource analyst for the Northwest Power Planning
Council."
JULY 2
Crapo Goes to Bat for Dworshak, The Lewiston Tribune, Lewiston, ID
Story on Senator Crapo's request to federal officials to look at ways to
mitigate the economic repercussions caused by the annual drawdowns of
Dworshak Reservoir. Mentions the Council: "The senator,
R-Idaho, sent a letter to officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Bonneville Power Administration and the Northwest Power Planning Council
Monday seeking a commitment to work on the problem and hold a meeting in
Orofino."
JULY 9
Governor, Power Planning Council Seek Answers to Rule Changes--The
Herald, Hermiston, OR
Story on Governor Kitzhaber's proposal to amend the Council's
bylaws: "Kitzhaber has proposed two amendments: 1) Rotate
the chair among the states as follows: Idaho, Oregon, Montana and
Washington...2) Add a new chapter 14 to formalize the relationship between
the basin tribes and the council."
JULY 14
Oregon Chairmanships Not Biggest Issue Facing Power Council--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Editorial by Council Chair Larry Cassidy and Council Member Tom Karier on
their position against Gov. Kitzhaber's amendments to the Council's
bylaws: "Our first priority will always be to support
candidates who we believe can lead the council in its mission to protect
and enhance fish and wildlife in the Columbia River Basin and ensure an
adequate and reliable power system."
Oregon May Leave Power Council--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Story on the disagreement between Oregon and the Council over the
chairmanship: "Oregon is considering pulling out of the
Northwest Power Planning Council to protest a bylaws change the state
believes will further frustrate its efforts to get its council members
elected chairman." Also appears in The Mail Tribune, Medford,
OR; The East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR; The Union-Bulletin, Walla Walla,
WA; The News Register, McMinnville, OR; The Gazette-Times, Corvallis, OR;
The Bulletin, Bend, OR; The World, Coos Bay, OR; and The Curry Coastal
Pilot, Brookings, OR.
JULY 17
Comments Sought on BPA Power Marketing--The Okanogan County
Chronicle, Omak, WA
Notice on the joint Bonneville and Council hearing on the future of
Bonneville: "Northwest Power Planning Council and the
Bonneville Power Administration are initiating a discussion of how BPA
will market the power and distribute the costs and benefits of the federal
Columbia River power system in the Pacific Northwest after 2006."
JULY 18
Power Council Refuses to Alter Selection of a Chairman--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on the Council's decision at its July meeting to reject Gov.
Kitzhaber's proposed amendments to the Council's bylaws: "Kitzhaber
proposed rotating the chairmanship from Idaho to Oregon to Montana to
Washington every two years. The council voted 6-2 against the
change, with only Bloch and Oregon's other council member, John Brogoitti,
voting for it." Also appears in The Register Guard, Eugene, OR;
The Sun, Bremerton, WA; The Union-Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA; The East
Oregonian, Pendleton, OR; The World, Coos Bay, OR; The Seattle
Post-Intelligencer, Seattle, WA; The Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon,
WA; The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA; and The Post-Register, Idaho Falls, ID.
NW Power Group Rejects Kitzhaber Maneuver--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Story on the Council's vote against Gov. Kitzhaber's proposed amendments
to the Council's bylaws: "Representatives from Washington,
Montana and Idaho aligned against Oregon on Wednesday and rejected Gov.
John Kitzhaber's request to change Northwest Power Planning Council rules
to require that the office of chairman be rotated among the four
states."
Power Council to Keep Tribes in Loop--The Yakima
Herald-Republic, Yakima, WA
Story on the testimony of tribal officials at the July Council
meeting: "A regional hydropower council will consider how to
cement its relationship with Pacific Northwest tribes over their joint
management of rivers and fisheries, members decided Wednesday."
Power Planning Council Rejects Request to Rotate Chairmanship--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Story on the Council's vote against Gov. Kitzhaber's proposed amendments
to the Council's bylaws: "Under Kitzhaber's plan, a state would
lose its chance to lead the council only if both its members agreed."
JULY 19
BPA Offers Options to Halt Revenue Loss--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Story on Bonneville's financial situation. Mentions the
Council: "Steve Wright, administrator of the regional power
marketing agency, presented four options Thursday to the Northwest Power
Planning Council meeting in Yakima that he said could get the agency
through 2006."
Rate Hike Could Be Answer to BPA's Budget--The Yakima
Herald-Republic, Yakima, WA
Story on Steve Wright's presentation on Bonneville's financial situation
to the Council: "Increases could range between 5 and 9 percent,
according to Wright's presentation to the Northwest Power Planning
Council."
JULY 20
Oregon Must Trim the Budget--The East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR
Op ed by Roy Comrie, a Pendleton businessman, who mentions Council member
John Brogoitti: "With Gov. John Kitzhaber, we definitely are
experiencing government from the top down. His treatment of John
Brogoitti shows his disdain for common sense and intolerance for input
from others who will not conform to his desired agenda." Also
appears in The Observer, La Grande, OR; and The Herald, Hermiston, OR.
JULY 21
Mission Must Prevail in Power Council Rift--The
Seattle Times/Post Intelligencer, Seattle, WA
Editorial on the Oregon/Council rift: "Council members should
continue to elect chairmen based on leadership abilities of individual
members, not on whose turn it is."
JULY 25
Partners Survey Progress in Asotin Creek Fish Habitat--The Lewiston
Tribune, Lewiston, ID
Story on the work to restore the Asotin Creek. Quotes Council Chair
Larry Cassidy: "He [Cassidy] said habitat improvement will play
a key role in salmon and steelhead recovery."
BPA Land Purchase on Middle Fork Targets Benefits for Fish--The
Times-Journal, Condon, OR
Story on efforts to preserve the Middle Fork of the John Day River.
Mentions the Council: "It [the recovery project] helps satisfy
the agency's Endangered Species Act obligations and furthers the Northwest
Power Planning Council's fish and wildlife program."
JULY 26
OK for Sumas 2 Would Re-energize Regulatory System--The Puget Sound
Business Journal, Seattle, WA
Op ed on the benefits of building a 660-megawatt power plant in northeast
Whatcom County. Mentions the Council: "The power plant is
needed today. The Northwest Power Planning Council estimates that
the region is 3,000 to 4,000 megawatts short of meeting its electricity
needs, a deficit that in a drought year could lead to the sorts of
problems experienced here just 12 months ago."
Less Snow Might Fall, State Scientists Predict, But Who's
Listening?--The Seattle Times,
Seattle, WA
Story on the possible global warming effects on the region's energy
resources. Mentions the Council: "In the next year, for
the first time, the Northwest Power Planning Council will try to gauge how
stream flows would change with warmer conditions."
JULY 29
Idaho a Victim of Political Muscle--The East Oregonian, Pendleton,
OR
Op ed on the federal money allocated to Northwest states through the
Pacific Salmon Fund, and the fact that Idaho does not receive any of that
money. Mentions the Council: "...BPA grants are awarded
through the Northwest Power Council to projects in Idaho, Oregon,
Washington, Montana; so states participate on an equal footing. But
Idaho is the only state with salmon habitat that doesn't share in the
Pacific Salmon Fund." Also appears in The
Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR.
Oregon Should Stay on Power Council--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Editorial urging Gov. Kitzhaber to keep Oregon's representatives on the
Council: "Leaving the council is the wrong answer for a state
worried that it already has too little say."
JULY 30
Brogoitti Lashes Out at Governor--The East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR
Story on Council member John Brogoitti's public dispute with Gov.
Kitzhaber over the direction of the council: "Brogoitti
believes the recent flap between Oregon's delegation and other members of
the planning council is a ruse of sorts on Kitzhaber's behalf to shift the
focus to more of an environmental bent, and even to fundamentally change
the way the council operates."
Power Council Member Rips Kitzhaber--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on Council member John Brogoitti's break with Gov. Kitzhaber:
"Brogoitti said he believes Kitzhaber's ulterior motive is to do away
with the power planning council."
JULY 31
Kitzhaber Demands Power Councilor Resign--The
Daily Astorian, OR
AP story on Gov. Kitzhaber's request for Council member John Brogoitti's
resignation from the Council: "The rift between Brogoitti and
Kitzhaber became public this week, but Brogoitti said it has been long in
the making." Also appears in The Democrat Herald, Albany, OR;
The Daily Tidings, Ashland, OR; The Daily Courier, Grants Pass, OR; The
Herald & News, Klamath Falls, OR; The News-Review, Roseburg, OR; The
World, Coos Bay, OR; The Daily Argus Observer, Ontario, OR; The Chronicle,
The Dalles, OR; The Bulletin, Bend, OR; The Mail Tribune, Medford, OR; and
The Lewiston Tribune, Lewiston, ID.
Kitzhaber Orders Brogoitti to Resign from Council Post--The East
Oregonian, Pendleton, OR
Story on Gov. Kitzhaber's request for Council member John Brogoitti's
resignation from the council: "Angered that a Northwest Power
Planning Council appointee questioned his motives and made his concerns
public, Gov. John Kitzhaber demanded the resignation of John Brogoitti by
the end of the day Tuesday."
Power Official Is Asked to Resign--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on Gov. Kitzhaber's request for Council member John Brogoitti's
resignation from the council: "Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber has
demanded the resignation of one of his appointees to the Northwest Power
Planning Council for publicly lashing out against the governor on
Monday."
Chinook Spawning--The Malheur Enterprise, Vale, OR
Story on a project to protect important chinook spawning habitat in the
Middle fork of the John Day River: "BPA purchased the Forrest
Ranch as part of its effort to recover fish and wildlife affected by the
construction of the Federal Columbia River Power System...It helps satisfy
the agency's Endangered Species Act obligations and furthers the Northwest
Power Planning Council's fish and wildlife program."
Ruckelshaus Agrees With Salmon Recovery Through Local Efforts--The
Lake Chelan Mirror, Chelan, WA
Story on a meeting between William D. Ruckelshaus, chair of Washington's
Salmon Recovery Funding Board and the Board of the Upper Columbia Salmon
Recovery group. Notes the comments by UCSRB Chair Joe Peone on their
work and mentions the Council: "Included in that upcoming work
is defining the UCSRB role in the Northwest Power Planning Council
sub-basin planning." Also appears in The Cashmere Valley
Record, Cashmere, WA.
Power Council Member Gets Boot--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Story on Gov. Kitzhaber's request for Council member John Brogoitti's
resignation from the council: "Brogoitti, 64, is refusing to
resign, so Kitzhaber's office is pursuing formal removal
proceedings."
Riparian Renewal--The Observer, LaGrande, OR
Story on the Grande Ronde Model Watershed planning group and how their
projects are working to improve streams and habitat. Mentions the
Council: "The Northwest Power Planning Council was given the
authority to 'repair the damage done by the dams' in the Columbia River
Basin..."
AUGUST 1
Kitzhaber's Friend--The Columbian,
Vancouver, WA
Editorial on the dispute between Gov. Kitzhaber and John Brogoitti:
"Whenever Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber gets time to think about
something besides the wildfires raging around his state, he should listen
carefully to John Brogoitti."
Cogentrix Won't Appeal Permit Denial--The
Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA
Story on the energy company's reconsideration of plans to build a power
plant on the Rathdrum Prairie following the denial of a water permit and
low energy prices. Quotes Council staff: "Even as
companies pull back from their plans, the Northwest should have enough
power to meet its needs, said Jeff King, a senior resource analyst with
the Northwest Power Planning Council, a federal agency in
Portland." Also appears in The Statesman Journal, Salem, OR.
AUGUST 2
Fishing Industry Sweats Governor's Veto Plans--The Business Journal,
Portland, OR
Story on Gov. Kitzhaber's budget decisions and possible closure for three
state hatcheries. Mentions the Council: "...economists
for the Northwest Power Planning Council considered a different measure of
hatchery value...Because the survival rate of salmon is so low, the cost
per fish for one Oregon hatchery was $180, according to one published
report."
This Week's Winners and Losers--The Statesman Journal, Salem, OR
Editorial listing its "winners and losers." Mentions the
Council: "Gov. John Kitzhaber's critics have long accused him
of caring more about fish than about kids (and schools). Now one of
his allies, John Brogoitti, said Kitzhaber has fallen too far into the
environmental camp..."
Kitzhaber Seeks Ouster of Rancher from Power Council--The Capital
Press, Salem, OR
Story on Gov. Kitzhaber's request for Council member John Brogoitti's
resignation from the council: "Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber asked
this week for the resignation of Pendleton rancher John Brogoitti from the
Northwest Power Planning Council after Brogoitti accused Kitzhaber of
following a hidden and strongly environmental agenda regarding the
Council."
AUGUST 3
Feud Hits Power Council--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Story on Gov. Kitzhaber's request for Council member John Brogoitti's
resignation from the council: "A dispute between Oregon Gov.
John Kitzhaber and one of his two Northwest Power Planning Council
appointees this week revealed the deep regional divisions that often
hamper the agency's salmon recovery efforts."
Issue of Fairness--The East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR
Editorial on the issue of rotating the chairmanship on the Council:
"...it's important that the council's own process is fair and above
board. Rotating chairmanships would be a great way to even the
playing field."
AUGUST 4
Kitzhaber Out of Touch with Oregonians--East Oregonian, Pendleton,
OR
Editorial on Gov. Kitzhaber. Mentions the dispute between Kitzhaber
and John Brogoitti: "Brogoitti always has tried to balance
environmental needs with fish and wildlife, which is the mission of the
council."
AUGUST 6
Keep Oregon Involved--The Bulletin, Bend, OR
Editorial on Gov. Kitzhaber's intentions with respect to the
Council: "It would be a mistake to remove Oregon from a
valuable group that preceded his leadership of the state and that likely
will outlive that leadership no matter what he does."
Kitzhaber Fighting Unnecessary Fight--The Herald, Hermiston, OR
Editorial criticizing Gov. Kitzhaber for his disagreement with John
Brogoitti: "Brogoitti's disagreement with Kitzhaber over
Oregon's participation on the council looks more like a convenient excuse
to remove an opponent of dam breaching than it does anything else."
Power Council Rift Continues--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Story on the ongoing dispute between Gov. Kitzhaber and John Brogoitti:
"Kitzhaber asked Brogoitti to resign from the council last week after
the rancher went public with criticism of the outgoing governor, saying a
recent dispute over the council chairmanship was really a smoke screen for
an attempt to replace the council itself."
Bonneville Will Give Money for Projects--The Statesman Journal,
Salem, OR
Story on Bonneville's funding of $9 million a year for three years for
fish and wildlife projects in northeast Oregon and southeast
Washington. Mentions the Council: "'The Northwest Power
Planning Council recommended the projects to BPA based on scientific merit
and the assurance that ratepayer funding is going to those efforts that
achieve the greatest biological benefit for the least cost,' said Steve
Wright, a Bonneville administrator."
Kitzhaber's Green Agenda Is the Wrong Idea at the Wrong Time--The
East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR
Op ed by Council member John Brogiotti: "Agriculture and
industry must come first if we are going to survive."
AUGUST 7
Pendleton Rancher Refuses to Quit Power Council Post--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Brief update on the Kitzhaber-Brogoitti dispute: "...Brogoitti's
administrative assistant said Tuesday that the Pendleton rancher does not
plan to give up the post."
New Day Dawning for Satsop Power--The Olympian, Olympia, WA
Story on a gas-fired power plant that is being built on a failed nuclear
power plant site. Mentions the Council: "Growth in energy
demand has ranged from 7 percent a year from 1950 to 1970 to 1.2 percent a
year during the 1990s, according to the Northwest Power Planning
Council."
AUGUST 8
Aluminum Industry Part of Power Solution, The
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle, WA
Op ed on the need to find a fair allocation of power to all the region's
customers. Mentions the Council: "This summer the BPA and
the Northwest Power Planning Council will seek public input on how to
allocate precious Northwest power in the future."
Governor Wants Brogoitti Out of His Office by Friday--The East
Oregonian, Pendleton, OR
Story on the dispute between Gov. Kitzhaber and Oreon Council member John
Brogoitti: "One of Oregon's two representatives on the
Northwest Power Planning Council, Brogoitti refused to resign his position
last week after publicly criticizing Kitzhaber, who appointed him to the
board."
AUGUST 9
Kitzhaber Designates Appointee--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Story on Gov. Kitzhaber's pick to replace John Brogoitti: "Gov.
John Kitzhaber announced on Thursday that he wants Melinda Eden,
chairwoman of the Oregon Environmental Commission, to replace John
Brogoitti on the Northwest Power Planning Council." Also
appears in The Statesman Journal, Salem, OR; The Democrat-Herald, Albany,
OR; The East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR; The Columbian, Vancouver, WA; The
Herald & News, Klamath Falls, OR; The Union-Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA;
and The Daily Courier, Grants Pass, OR.
Brogoitti to Appeal Ouster from NW Power Council--The Capital Press,
Salem, OR
Story on Oregon Council member John Brogoitti's efforts to remain on the
Council despite Gov. Kitzhaber's request for his resignation:
"Faced with being fired from the Northwest Power Planning Council,
Pendleton, Ore., rancher John Brogoitti said this week he will take
advantage of an Oregon law that allows him to request a public meeting
first with Gov. John Kitzhaber."
Tribes Get OK to Prepare for Fish Projects--The Union-Bulletin,
Walla Walla, WA
Brief notice on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian
Reservation's request for increased funding for fish projects:
"...the council's staff recommended the tribes be allowed to begin
preparations for the projects."
AUGUST 10
Oregon Family Feud--The Oregonian,
Portland, OR
Editorial on the dispute between Gov. Kitzhaber and John Brogoitti:
"Feuding on Oregon's team reflects badly on the state and threatens
to trivialize a regional agency that makes policy recommendations about
electric power, dams and habitat."
Bonneville Buys Riverside Land for Fish Habitat in Kittitas County--The
Yakima Herald Republic, Yakima, WA
Story on Bonneville's purchase of 308 acres of land near the confluence of
the Yakima and Cle Elum rivers. Quotes Council member Tom
Karier: "'This is a particularly smart investment that will
continue to generate fish and wildlife benefits for the long term,'
council member Tom Karier said in a news release issued by
Bonneville."
Brogoitti Column Was Self-serving--The East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR
Op ed by Eric Quaempts on the August 6 guest column by John Brogoitti:
"The column fails completely to provide any technical or policy
insight regarding electricity, fish and agricultural production and
economics, or the potential implications of available hydrosystem
management alternatives to the affected Eastern Oregon public."
AUGUST 12
It Appears FERC Just Hasn't Learned--The
Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA
Editorial expressing skepticism about the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission's proposed Standard Market Design plan. Mentions the
Council: "...there is wisdom in allowing state and regional
entities to learn from one another's reforms and mistakes in ways that
meet local needs...the Northwest has benefited from regionally negotiated
relationships among the Bonneville Power Administration, public and
private utilities, state regulatory agencies and the Northwest Power
Planning Council."
Gavel Spat Distracts from Threat to Northwest Power--The
Seattle Times, Seattle, WA
Op ed on the rift between Oregon and the other Council members:
"Oregon must remain part of the council, given the potential threats
to the benefits of lower-cost power that has helped build Northwest
economies." Also appears in The Union-Bulletin, Walla Walla,
WA.
AUGUST 13
Power Council Member Won't Resign--The Daily News, Longview, WA
AP story on Council member John Brogoitti's refusal to resign:
"A member of the Northwest Power Planning Council is refusing to
resign and will continue to represent Oregon at a meeting here this week,
officials said Monday." Also appears in The Bulletin, Bend, OR;
The Herald & News, Klamath Falls, OR; The World, Coos Bay, OR; and The
Missoulian, Missoula, MT.
Power Crisis Still Possible--The
Bellingham Herald, Bellingham, WA
Story on the current energy situation and issues regarding the region's
efforts to build a more reliable power system. Quotes Council
staff: "Richard Watson, power planning director for the
Northwest Power Planning Council, said the West Coast is now in some
danger of repeating the boom-and-bust cycle of power supply and
demand."
On Second Thought, Brogoitti Must Go--The Herald, Hermiston, OR
Editorial on the Kitzhaber/Brogoitti dispute: "Kitzhaber is not
the only one who has become disenchanted with Brogoitti. So has this
newspaper."
AUGUST 14
BPA's Troubles Could Hit Salmon--The Statesman Journal, Salem, OR
Story on Bonneville's financial situation and possible impact on fish and
wildlife recovery efforts. Mentions the Council: "The BPA
spends about $150 million each year on fish and wildlife projects with the
Northwest Power Planning Council, much of it studying salmon and working
to restore native habitat." Also appears in The Tri-City
Herald, Kennewick, WA; The Daily News, Longview, WA; The Democrat-Herald,
Albany, OR; The Eastside Journal, Bellevue, WA; The
Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA; The East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR; The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA; The Daily Journal of Commerce, Seattle, WA; The
Union-Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA; The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA; The
Morning News, Blackfoot, ID; The Daily Spectrum, Saint George, UT; The
Gazette-Times, Corvallis, OR; The Capital Press, Salem, OR; and The
Lewiston Tribune, Lewiston, ID.
Rogue of the Week--The
Willamette Week, Portland, OR
Column highlighting the paper's pick for rogue behavior by a public
figure: "Most political appointees, if they disagree with their
boss, either swallow their reservations or else quit. Not Brogoitti.
In a series of public letters, he lashed out at the governor and his
allegedly leftist leanings."
AUGUST 15
Personalities Must Not Distract Power Council--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Editorial on the recent Oregon controversies: "The council's
attention lately has been too focused on the drama of its Oregon members
and their governor."
AUGUST 16
Brogoitti Backs Oregon Water Project--The Capital Press, Salem, OR
Story on a project supported by John Brogoitti: "In what could
have been his last meeting as one of Oregon's two representatives on the
Northwest Power Planning Council, John Brogoitti on Tuesday pushed for the
approval of an Eastern Oregon water project that will benefit a company
owned by his friend."
AUGUST 19
Kitzhaber's Friend Becomes Foe--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Story on the dispute between Gov. Kitzhaber and John Brogoitti:
"Brogoitti, in the interview at his Pendleton ranch, said he had
become increasingly opposed to Kitzhaber's ideas."
BPA Wants to Ask You About Its Future--The
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle, WA
Story on the public hearings on Bonneville's financial situation and on
its post-2006 future. Mentions the Council: "The
Northwest Power Planning Council is taking part in what's being termed a
'regional discussion.'"
AUGUST 20
Satsop Project Halted--The Olympian, Olympia, WA
Story on Duke Energy's decision to suspend construction of its power plant
at the former Satsop nuclear power plant site. Quotes Council
staff: "The Satsop plant is the fourth natural gas-fired power
plant under construction to head into mothballs this summer in the
Northwest, noted Jeff King, a senior resource analyst with the Northwest
Power Planning Council in Portland."
AUGUST 21
Power Council--The Columbian,
Vancouver, WA
Editorial on friction between the Council and Oregon's governor:
"A fully unified power council enjoying gubernatorial buy-in from
Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana would be ideal."
Kitzhaber Has a Foe to Battle: Kitzhaber--The Statesman
Journal, Salem, OR
Editorial on Gov. Kitzhaber's tenure. Mentions the Council in
describing recent missteps by the governor: "And when it comes
to public opinion, Kitzhaber recently has shown an uncanny ability to grab
defeat from the jaws of victory...Meanwhile, he's carrying on tangential
fights with the Northwest Power Planning Council and other folks."
AUGUST 22
Kitzhaber Had No Choice--The
Register Guard, Eugene, OR
Editorial on the Kitzhaber/Brogoitti dispute: "Brogoitti
obviously displeased the governor in several respects, and history,
courtesy and practicality suggested--strongly--that he should have
followed the governor's wishes and stepped aside."
AUGUST 24
Power Plant Gets Locke's Consent, Canadians' Ire--The
Seattle Times, Seattle, WA
Story on a controversial power plant to be built at the Canadian
border. Quotes Council staff: "Prices aren't expected to
go up until 2008, to about $35 a megawatt-hour at the most--the break-even
point for most gas-fired plants, said Jeff King, senior resource analyst
for the Northwest Power Planning Council."
Demand Eases for New Power Plants--The
Bellingham Herald, Bellingham, WA
Story on falling wholesale power prices and its effect on power plant
construction. Quotes Council staff: "Jeff King, a senior
power analyst with the Northwest Power Planning Council, said some of the
plants on hold in mid-construction could be completed in 2005 or 2006 when
power prices are estimated to reach $30 per megawatt hour--enough to make
it worth their while."
AUGUST 25
Senate Blocks Energy Panel Appointment--The Statesman Journal,
Salem, OR
Story on Sen. Steve Harper's decision to postpone dealing with Gov.
Kitzhaber's appointment of Melinda Eden to the Council as John Brogoitti's
replacement: "Harper's refusal to take up the appointment means
it's all but certain Oregon will have only one member on the four-state
council that balances fish and wildlife needs against the region's demand
for hydroelectricity." Also appears in The Bulletin, Bend, OR;
The Gazette-Times, Corvallis, OR; The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA; The East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR; The Daily
Argus Observer, Ontario, OR; The Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA; The
Union-Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA; and The Capital Press, Salem, OR.
Loosening the River--The
Yakima Herald-Republic, Yakima, WA
Story on the possibility of moving levees to let the water of the Yakima
River reconnect to the historical flood plain. Mentions the
Council: "...the Northwest Power Planning Council also is
interested in restoring flood plain habitat in urban Yakima. The
council has recommended Bonneville help pay to purchase private property
in the flood plain."
AUGUST 28
Political Obstinacy--The
Register Guard, Eugene, OR
Editorial on state Sen. Steve Harper's announcement he will block the
confirmation of Gov. Kitzhaber's nominee to the Council:
"Harper should stand aside and let the full Senate vote up or down on
Eden's membership on the power council." Also appears in The
Statesman Journal, Salem, OR.
AUGUST 30
Don't Lose Any Sleep Over Harper's Roadblock--The Herald & News,
Klamath Falls, OR
Editorial on Sen. Harper's block of Gov. Kitzahber's appointment to the
Council: "Sure, holding up the appointment may not be the
'polite' thing for Harper to do. But it's not much when compared to
Kitzhaber's attitudes toward Eastern Oregon."
Planning Council's Chairman Has Ties to Farm Community--The Capital
Press, Salem, OR
Story on Council Chair Larry Cassidy: "Cassidy believes
restoration of salmon and steelhead runs on Northwest rivers is only going
to come at the grass roots level."
AUGUST 31
Brogoitti Still Serving on NW Power Council--The East Oregonian,
Pendleton, OR
Story on John Brogoitti's status as a Council member: "John
Brogoitti said he will continue 'doing my job' as one of two Oregon
members of the Northwest Power Planning Council until the state Senate
confirms a replacement."
SEPTEMBER 1
Tribes Buy Forrest Ranch Near Fork of John Day--The East Oregonian,
Pendleton, OR
Story on a land acquisition project funded by Bonneville through the
Council's fish and wildlife program. Quotes Council member John
Brogoitti: "' This is an excellent project,' said John
Brogoitti of Pendleton, chairman of the Northwest Power Planning Council's
Fish and Wildlife Committee."
SEPTEMBER 4
Fix Power Plant Siting Process--The
Bellingham Herald, Bellingham, WA
Op ed on the need to upgrade the state's standards for siting power
plants. Mentions the Council: "Before the power crisis of
winter 2000-2001, the Northwest Power Planning Council said the region
needed 3,000 megawatts."
SEPTEMBER 5
Study: Removal of Dams Wouldn't Harm Economy--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on the Rand Corp. study that concluded dam removal would have a
negligible effect on the Northwest economy. Quotes Council
staff: "It shouldn't surprise anyone that the Snake River dams
support a relatively small proportion of the regional economy, said John
Harrison, spokesman for the Northwest Power Planning Council in
Portland."
SEPTEMBER 6
Moratorium Becalms Kittitas Wind-farm Project--The Puget Sound
Business Journal, Seattle, WA
Story on the six-month moratorium on wind-farm development in Kittitas
County. Quotes Council staff: "'I'm afraid we are seeing
the kind of situation we had in the late 1990s,' said Jeff King, an
analyst with the Northwest Power Planning Council in Portland."
SEPTEMBER 11
Lower Power Demand to Hurt BPA--The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA
Story on Bonneville's strapped financial situation. Quotes Council
staff: "By October, the beginning of its next fiscal year, the
federal power marketing agency will have only $187 million in the bank,
the lowest level of reserves it has seen in nearly 20 years, said Mark
Walker, the power planning council's public affairs director."
Electricity Demand to Increase--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Story on the Council's forecast: "Electricity consumption is
expected to increase at an average rate of 1.33 percent a year for the
next 23 years, according to a new forecast by the Northwest Power Planning
Council." Also appears in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer,
Seattle, WA; the Register Guard, Eugene, OR; The Daily Journal of
Commerce, Portland, OR; The Columbian, Vancouver, WA; The Daily Journal of
Commerce, Seattle, WA; and The Bulletin, Bend, OR.
BPA Official Pledges No Winter Rate Increase for Farmers--The East
Oregonian, Pendleton, OR
Story on the testimony by farmers, business owners and managers to
Bonneville at a public meeting. Mentions the Council:
"The Northwest Power Planning Council, also funded by BPA, recently
approved an $118,035 budget to 'develop data on fish and wildlife, one for
monitoring salmon habitat and the other for organizing the counting of
fish, ' the council reported."
SEPTEMBER 12
Spending on Fish Understated, BPA Says--The
Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA
Story on Bonneville's response to the General Accounting Office's report
on spending by federal agencies to help fish in the Columbia River
Basin. Mentions the Council: "The actual cost may be
twice as high...the Northwest Power Planning Council was told
Wednesday." Also appears in the Herald & News, Klamath
Falls, OR; The Oregonian, Portland, OR; and The Columbian, Vancouver, WA.
SEPTEMBER 13
A Power Shift of Sorts--The
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle, WA
Story on the possibility that Puget Sound Energy will build its own
generators to meet its demand. Mentions the Council:
"[Steve] Reynolds cited a forecast this week from the Northwest Power
Planning Council that regional electricity demand will top 28,000 average
megawatts by 2025, up from 20,422 in 2000."
^ top
|
|
