As part of our ongoing efforts to educate Oregonians about public interest issues affecting our state, OSPIRG invited all gubernatorial candidates to communicate with our 32,000 members by submitting a statement with their positions and plans on the following issues:
• global warming;
• renewable energy, such as wind, solar and biomass;
• energy efficiency and conservation;
• implementation of the Clean Cars program, which limits air pollution and global warming pollution from new cars and light trucks;
• proposals for new coal-fired power plants in Oregon or built elsewhere to serve Oregon’s electricity needs.

I’m a free market environmentalist. I don’t get stressed about global warming. What bothers me is how the illegal invasion is trashing our environment—we have polluting Mexican trucks on our highways, hundreds of thousands of (largely) uninsured illegals driving, resources being used up and used on those who are here unlawfully, not to mention the disproportionate percentage of illegals incarcerated for violent crimes that we’re paying for ($35 MILLION a year!).
I DO get upset about the $2.3 million we’re spending to end the lives of preborn Oregonians under the Oregon Health Plan. As I said, global warming doesn’t keep me up nights, this other stuff does.

Thanks for giving me a chance to share my views with your readership.

My vision is for Oregon to be a global leader in renewable energy and lead the nation in ending our dependence on foreign oil.

Our continued reliance on fossil fuels threatens our economy, our security and our environment through air and water pollution, as well as global warming.

The good news is that we can deal with these threats by reducing our energy consumption through conservation and developing an alternate energy infrastructure to fuel our economy. This is my vision for Oregon and I ask for your support this election in making it a reality.

Renewable Energy Action Plan

In my first term, we developed Oregon’s first Renewable Energy Action Plan to promote the production of energy from wind, wave, solar, geothermal, biomass and other sources.

More than 9,000 Oregon businesses are already utilizing the state’s Business Energy Tax Credit. In addition, all state agencies will be powered by renewable energy by 2010.

We’ve also enacted new efficiency standards, expanded targeted incentives for alternative energy use and helped low-income Oregonians cut their utility bills through better efficiency.

I am committed to expanding these efforts to put Oregon clearly on the course to being a renewable energy leader.

In 2007, we will enact legislation to require 25 percent of all Oregon electricity to come from renewable sources and pass a biofuels package that will include a Renewable Fuels Standard to increase development and production.

I will also continue to push the Bush administration and Congress to enact a long-term renewal of the federal production tax credit—one of the best mechanisms for renewable energy development in Oregon and our nation.

West Coast Governors’ Global Warming Initiative

In my first year in office, along with the governors of California and Washington, I launched the West Coast Governors’ Global Warming Initiative to produce a regional strategy to reduce greenhouse emissions.

As a result, we recently implemented a West Coast Clean Car Corridor that will cut vehicle emissions 27 percent by 2030 and create a powerful incentive for auto manufacturers to shift vehicle production for the entire nation.

The special interests have worked hard to block these initiatives, including a budget trick last session to try to kill the Clean Cars program. I stopped that effort and I will use all of my powers to prevent any rollback of our efforts to end our dependence on fossil fuels. We must not be fooled, which is why I need your help to achieve this vision.

This election is ultimately about where we want Oregon to be in 20 years. The contrast in choices couldn’t be clearer. While the market is a critical component in renewable energy development and conservation, the stakes are too high to rely on the market alone.

That’s why my approach strikes the right balance between incentives and regulations to achieve energy independence and a cleaner environment.

We have an opportunity to shape our future and I hope you’ll join me in creating a strong, stable and energy independent future Oregon.

As an Oregonian and an avid outdoorsman, I am dedicated to encouraging everyone to be good stewards of our environment and the wondrous beauties of nature.

I bristle when I see persons or organizations carelessly trashing the roads, streams, lakes and even the air we breathe. Public awareness campaigns by OSPIRG and others can motivate a shift in attitude among these bad guys.

Global warming is important to everyone. Its effects are mostly detrimental. But it is not totally clear what part is man-caused and how much is part of the natural cycles of earth’s processes.

I do think man has caused some bad effects. One only needs to count the number of carbon fuel-burning vehicles and polluting government/industrial plants on the earth today to see that the harmful emissions are taxing this planet’s ability to cope.

But more and more laws are not the answer. They lead to something even more dangerous—the elimination of our freedom.

Though held in disdain by many environmentalists, the free market can reduce the demand for fossil fuels. We are seeing that now as oil prices rise with uncertainties about the availability of supplies.

People are flooding dealerships with orders for hybrids and other vehicles using alternative sources of energy. This is in spite of the high prices this high demand brings.

But as the supply of fuel-efficient, alternative fuel vehicles increases, prices will moderate and volume will increase. This is good for the planet. The market will accomplish this without the need for government bureaucrats to dictate from their cubicles.

People are taking advantage of more efficient technologies. Wind and solar energy production is helping some homes and businesses cut their energy bills and even, in some cases, get refunds from the energy companies.

Coal-fired electricity plants are justifiable only if scrubber technology can be developed to minimize environmental threats. The public should make this demand clear to energy producers.

Conservation is only part of the solution to the scarcity and harm from energy forms that pollute and cause undesirable environmental effects. The larger problem is what I call “TDMP” (too darned many people). I may work hard to save half of the gasoline I burn, and at the same time, three new teenaged drivers begin driving cars. The developing countries of the world are producing new consumers of energy at a tremendous rate.

Until we face up to the population explosion projected by Thomas Malthus in an essay in 1798, we are on the slippery slope to ruining the earth for habitation.

As governor, Ron Saxton will advocate environmental policies that emphasize incentives over regulations and dialogue over dispute.

He will take full advantage of the unique opportunities that the production, sale and use of biofuels , like biodiesel and ethanol, present for Oregon’s economy and our once dominant natural resource and agricultural industries.

Ron will also further encourage and promote the research, development and construction of renewable energy sources such as wind power and wave generation.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!
As I have been on the campaign trail visiting communities all over Oregon, I have learned a lot.

I have learned that there is real concern and anxiety about energy and global warming and our future. A dead zone area as big as Rhode Island off our coast, changing weather patterns with more frequent violent storms, rising gas prices, oil supply uncertainties, world demand for oil soaring, the dismal Middle East conflicts, etc. are all happening today and the situation is getting worse.

It is time that Oregon gets serious about its need for an energy independent Oregon

Energy independence starts with conservation first and creatively introduces alternative energy programs that are technically doable, financially affordable, and environmentally sustainable.

We are calling for the development of all available renewable energy systems including wind, biomass, biodiesel and solar energy. I see Oregon becoming the first low emission state in the U.S.

What we’re looking at is an overhaul to the current system, which rewards and mistakenly subsidizes utility projects that pollute our pristine environment. Coal is out. Green is in.

When I’m elected I will ensure projects that receive government easements and public tax dollars will go to the development of low emitting power solutions.

Going small and smart
The Northwest will have over 1,400 megawatts (MW) of wind generating capacity in service by the end of this year. That’s a jump from less than 100 MW in 2000. Wind power has zero fuel costs and zero carbon emissions.

I propose to reprioritize public spending as the first step to creating a viable, long-term economy.

Our vision includes a matrix of Rural Community Energy Centers (RCEC) throughout the state. RCECs are small rural cooperatives that generate power to its community through a mix of solar, wind, biomass and biodiesel.

For example, a biodiesel process converting locally grown pressable crops for a community of 5,000 people currently costs less than $35,000. Stimulating small-scale diverse projects such as the 18 MW Bio Mass plant at The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs in central Oregon is a good example.

Under a 20-year memorandum of understanding, the Tribe aims to gather fuel from poorly managed federal lands to reduce the fire load.

This creates jobs and could easily be used to spur a local force protecting and enhancing Oregon’s natural resources.

We are also calling for the advancement of a statewide direct load control monitoring system.

Shifting loads during times of peak demand may be one solution to the Northwest’s congested transmission system.

Overall Oregon could save green house emissions and resources to create an industry that will bring our utilities into the needs of the new millennium (next generation).

We are talking about creating jobs and investing in a secure and predictable energy independent future. We are talking about developing a green economy to take us into the future and the way to do that is to bring Power to the People!