Category Archives: All

Contains all blog posts to this site that aren’t on static pages

Poll: 1631 has Big Oil on the ropes!

This Elway poll has some good news for making carbon polluters accountable:

https://crosscut.com/2018/10/poll-nations-first-carbon-fee-leading-among-voters

This poll shows that:
 
1) I-1631 is leading among voters, and it’s clear that Washingtonians don’t trust big oil despite their $21 million in fancy advertising.
 
2) This election is going to be close, but we CAN win and defeat big oil and their money.
 
3) Undecided voters will come down to who they trust, and every conversation we have with our neighbors, our friends, and at the doors we knock on is essential to help us win.
 
This is a moment for us all to step up.  We have a lot of work to do in the next 25 days to connect with voters and remind them of the vision we all share for this state. With your help and all of our hard work, we can do this!

We can’t do this without YOU. Here are some of the ways you can help: 

Volunteer door knock – It is powerful democracy in action!  Big Oil is already spending more than $20 million to defeat us, but we have the Power of the People.  Please sign up for a shift here.

Calling voters who might need a nudge to vote – this is a huge priority for the campaign, and we need lots of help. We need to ensure these registered voters turn in their ballots. Here is the link for you to schedule yourself for a phonebanking shift (Human-to-human calls are a very powerful tool!) Here is the link to our dialer toolkit.  If you want to call from downtown Seattle this link has all of Washington Environmental Council’s phone banks for 1631, Sunday-Thursday.

Texting – We are doing texts to help Get Out The Vote. You can sign up for a texting shift here.

Small Business Endorsements -Do you know a small business owner you can ask? Maybe your favorite coffee shop? If you get a yes, be sure to fill out this form and we can get them a sign for their window.

If you want to help in a more substantial way by volunteering full or part time for the campaign, let me know! Or if you can host an organizer from out of town, please sign up here.

Go here to learn more about the YES on 1631 campaign, and its endorsers.

We Can. We Must. We Will!

Save our orcas, climate, and dollars: free the Snake!

At our August 5 general meeting, OCA members by consensus adopted a resolution calling for the immediate removal of the four lower Snake River Dams and their replacement by clean power. Removing the lower 4 Snake River Dams will benefit the Pacific Northwest in several ways:

  • Freeing the Snake River ensures restoration of fish populations and marine ecosystems. Lack of chinook salmon from the Columbia River system is a principal reason for the decline of the Southern Resident Orcas.
  • A flowing river will invite local community and tourist recreation.
  • Land reclamation provides ground for new agricultural development with its jobs.
  • Tax and ratepayers will no longer pay for unnecessary, underperforming dams and the future burden of maintenance costs. These dams have outlived their initial intended purpose and are becoming a cost-prohibitive maintenance issue.
  • Energy output from these dams is not required to support the grid, and subsidies to this inefficient technology suppresses available clean energy capacity.

https://damsense.org/ – comprehensive, in-depth website devoted to the issue

The Case for Breaching the 4 Lower Snake River Dams – Orca Network

Greenhouse Gas Impacts of the L4SRDs – John Twa, Mechanical Engineer

Green Power Is Available Now to Replace the L4SRDs–In Fact, Ratepayers Are Subsidizing an Inferior Technology –

Southern Resident Killer Whale Synopsis – Debra Ellers, North Olympic Orca Pod

Seattle Times: Controversy over orcas vs. dams

David James Duncan on Freeing the Snake River from Mark Titus on Vimeo.

Actions to save the Orcas, from 350 Seattle: Call Governor Inslee at 360-902-4111 and ask him to take action immediately. Thank him for working to protect orcas, and tell him you support stronger action, now, without delay:

  • Issue an emergency moratorium on new fossil fuel traffic in the Salish Sea.
  • Define a rigorous and mandatory ‘Oil Spill Clean Up Rate’ to stop Trans Mountain tar sands crude oil from coming through Washington State.
  • Stop fuel exports at March Point and Cherry Point, and the construction of the LNG facility in Tacoma.
  • Stand in support of Whatcom County’s existing moratorium on new fossil fuel infrastructure.
  • Call on BC Premier John Horgan take swift action against fish farms.
  • Restore Chinook spawning grounds by breaching of the lower four Snake River dams.

Online petitions:

Whom to call or contact and ways to provide your opinion: Sample comments and link here: “Public Feedback: Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery and Task Force” https://bit.ly/2McBcFT

Governor J. Inslee
phone: (360) 902-4111
e-message: https://bit.ly/2F7AWDN

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GovInslee

 

Senator Patty Murray (425) 259-6515
fax: (509) 624-9561
e-message: https://bit.ly/2jsVl8T

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PattyMurray

 

Senator Maria Cantwell (202) 224-3441
fax: (202) 228-0514
e-message: https://bit.ly/2lzQshJ

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SenatorCantwell

 

NOAA, Barry Thom (503) 231-6266

 

Please tell the Army Corps of Engineers to supplement the 2002 EIS promptly and use Alternative 4 to breach the 4 Lower Snake River Dams in 2018.

 

US Army Corps of Engineers (202) 761-0000

Lt. General Todd T. Semonite
Commander and Chief of Engineers

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
441 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20314-1000

Northwest Division, USACE

Brigadier General Helmlinger
PO Box 2870
Portland OR 97208-2870
503-808-3800

Clallam PUD’s opposition to I-1631: What part of “Utility” don’t you understand?

Clallam PUD Sides with Petroleum Industry in Opposition to Carbon Initiative

by Andy Cochrane, President, Power Trip Energy | Oct 3, 2018

The Clallam PUD board of commissioners has taken the step of publicly opposing Initiative 1631, citing increased operating costs and higher gasoline prices as reasons for opposition.  Clallam County PUD officials say the carbon fee initiative would increase the district’s annual fuel and shipping costs by $20,000 in 2020 and by $51,000 by 2035.  Clallam PUD’s revenue is about $75 million per year, so the initial $20,000 projected increase in 2020 amounts to approximately 0.027% of the PUD’s revenue.

PUD Commissioner Simpson also reportedly was concerned about negative impacts to the PUD from a wider adoption of electric vehicles.  “There’s impact on any utility of upgrading their system to accommodate the charging of batteries for electric cars,” Simpson said.

We suggest the PUD Commissioners look at the migration from gasoline to electricity as major transportation fuel as an opportunity to increase PUD revenues and decrease money leaving the community through gasoline expenditures.  No gasoline or diesel is created in Clallam County, whereas there are over 750 roof top solar arrays producing clean electricity.  Expansions in electrical generation will result in positive local economic activity and prevent money leaving the community for polluting fossil fuels.  The increased revenues can be re-invested in our public electrical infrastructure.  The PUD’s job is to help navigate to a more advantageous position in a cleaner future, not to oppose any change due to fear of increased costs without a vision of the benefits of capturing more of the energy economy locally.

We see many benefits of cutting out petroleum and carbon based industries, while capturing those revenues locally and building a cleaner future.  This is the reason we stand with hundreds of businesses, tribes, unions, and faith-based organizations in favor of 1631.  Learn more about this initiative here http://yeson1631.org

Why is Clallam PUD siding with the petroleum industry in opposition to a carbon fee?  Could they better represent their ratepayers by focusing on the most beneficial way to move forward toward a cleaner future?

Also of interest:

Exposing the oily lies of the oil industry

Union of Concerned Scientists debunks false claims of the I-1631 opposition

WA Budget & Policy Center debunks opposition’s outrageous cost estimates

Comprehensive analysis by the Sightline Institute

Analysis by sustainable energy engineer Greg Rock

1631 would keep billions of dollars from bleeding out-of-state

Bill Gates: Why I’m for Washington state’s carbon fee

Olympian editorial: If not now, when?

Debate on I-1631 on KING-5 TV

 

 

 

Ask about climate at candidate forums

Coming soon is the time to exercise your democratic right to vote. Inform yourself (and others) about the candidates’ views on climate change and what to do about it. As has been noted elsewhere on this site, individual acts of conscience will simply not be sufficient to avert a catastrophic climate crisis in the coming decades; therefore we must muster the political will to take collective action, and this election will be all-important in forming that political will, at every level of government.
Questions to ask local candidates about climate

Let us know if you know about other upcoming forums!

Wednesday, October 3, noon, Rotary Club, Asian Buffet.
Candidates for Clallam County Director of Community Development Mary Ellen Winborn and Julie Gardiner.

Wednesday, October 3, 6 pm. League of Women Voters, Port Angeles City Council Chambers.
Candidates for Clallam County Director of Community Development Mary Ellen Winborn and Julie Gardiner. Candidates for Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols and Selinda Barkhuis. Candidates for Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict and James (Jim) McLaughlin.

Thursday, October 4, 7 pm. League of Women Voters & AAUW, Tri-Area Center, 10 West Valley Rd, Chimacum.
Candidates for District Court Judge Noah Harrison and Mindy Walker (non-partisan position). Candidates for County Prosecutor Michael Haas (D) and James Kennedy (D).

Tuesday, October 9, 1 pm, KONP Radio.
Candidates for Clallam County Director of Community Development Mary Ellen Winborn and Julie Gardiner.

Thursday, October 11, noon, Kiwanis Club, Joshua’s Restaurant.
Candidates for Clallam County Director of Community Development Mary Ellen Winborn and Julie Gardiner.
Thursday, October 11, 7 pm, League of Women Voters & AAUW, Port Ludlow Beach Club, 121 Marina View Drive.
Candidates for County Sheriff Joe Nole (D) and David Stanko (No Party Preference). Candidates for Public Utility District Commission District 3 Tom Brotherton and Dan Toepper (non-partisan position).
Tuesday, October 16, 6 pm, League of Women Voters, Peninsula College Forks.
Candidates for Clallam County District Court 2 Judge Erik Rohrer and John Black. Candidates for Clallam County Commissioner (District 3) Bill Peach and Howard (Mike) Doherty, Jr. Co-sponsored by Peninsula College Associated Student Council.

Tuesday, October 16, 7 pm, League of Women Voters & AAUW, Tri-Area Center, 10 West Valley Rd, Chimacum.
Candidates for 24th Legislative District Position 1 Mike Chapman (D) and Jodi Wilke (R). Candidates for 24th Legislative District Position 2 Jim McEntire (R) and Steve Tharinger (D).

Wednesday, October 17, 4 pm, League of Women Voters, Peninsula College Little Theater, Port Angeles.
Candidates for PUD Commissioner (District 3) Ted Simpson and Jim Waddell. Candidates for US Representative Derek Kilmer and Douglas Dightman. Co-sponsored by Peninsula College Associated Student Council.

Wednesday, October 17, 7 pm, League of Women Voters & AAUW, Port Townsend Community Center, 620 Tyler St.
Candidates for Board of County Commissioners Greg Brotherton (D) and Jon Cooke (R). Candidates for Congressional District 6 Douglas Dightman (R) and Derek Kilmer (D)—will only occur if Kilmer can attend (empty-chair debates not allowed by League).

Thursday, October 18, 6 pm, League of Women Voters, Port Angeles Public Library.
Candidates for Clallam County District Court Judge Dave Neupert and Suzanne Hayden. Candidates for State Representative Position 1 Mike Chapman and Jodi Wilke and Position 2 Steve Tharinger and Jim McEntire. Co-sponsored by North Olympic Library System.

Friday, October 26, noon, Soroptimist Noon Club, Joshua’s Restaurant.
Candidates for Clallam County Department of Community Development Mary Ellen Winborn and Julie Gardiner.

The laws of thermodynamics…beyond the power of the veto

One might say the melting is like weeping,
glacial tears upon the cheek of the sea.
Our lament is an embarrassment;
no excuse can set us free.
Memories of ancient times slipping through our grasp;
what once we thought forever has now become the past.
–OCA member Brian Grad

Salish Sea Day of Action coverage

http://www.ptleader.com/news/community-gathers-to-save-our-salish-sea/article_c1a50c38-bb9f-11e8-a30f-e7d966ce6d05.html

Welcome to nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm Territory – Peninsula College – Thursday, Sept. 27

Studium Generale will open its fall season with a presentation that has become an annual event but with an important change to the title. Instead of the English language, the Klallam/S’Klallam language will take precedence. “Welcome to nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm Territory” will begin at 12:35 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, in Peninsula College’s Little Theater in Port Angeles, followed by a reception in ʔaʔk̓ʷustəƞáwt̓xʷ House of Learning, Peninsula College Longhouse. This is an opportunity for people to gain a deeper understanding of the culture and history of this area and to know that these are traditional Klallam and S’Klallam lands. All tribal members and the general public are invited to attend the event, along with the Peninsula College community. Leaders from the Port Gamble S’Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam and Lower Elwha Klallam Tribes will offer their expertise on a number of related topics. All are invited to a reception in ʔaʔk̓ʷustəƞáwt̓xʷ House of Learning, Peninsula College Longhouse, directly following the presentation. The first longhouse built on a community college campus, ʔaʔk̓ʷustəƞáwt̓xʷ was named in nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əmucen the Klallam/S’Klallam language because of its location on the traditional territory of the Klallam and S’Klallam people. This longhouse was designed and built through partnerships with six area tribes including the Hoh, Makah, and Quileute tribes, as well as the Klallam/S’Klallam tribes whose language, history, and culture we honor and celebrate in this “Welcome”.

Both events are free and open to the public. Please follow the link for campus map and visitor parking pass. http://pencol.edu/sites/default/files/PC-Campus-Map-Parking-Pass-I.pdf