Next week, many of us will celebrate Independence
Day with some good friends, a grill and hopefully beautiful weather. But leading
up to July Fourth and well after the holiday has passed, many of us will ask,
"How much higher can gas prices go?" wonder, "Just how much is global warming
going to affect my children's future?" and "Will we ever become independent from
our addiction to oil?"
No one can answer these
questions with certainty. But Oregonians are moving in the right direction to
achieve energy independence.
Last year, the Oregon Legislature
passed landmark policy that catapults Oregon into a national leadership position
in the production of renewable energy. Under this bill, Oregon’s larger
utilities must generate 25% of their electricity from renewable sources by
2025.
In 2007, the Oregon Legislature also passed significant
legislation leading to a renewable fuels standard for biofuels production that
will provide incentives to use and produce renewable fuels in Oregon and offer
state production tax credits for such feedstocks as woody biomass, canola,
barley, triticale, straw, camelina and flax.
These key pieces of legislation will help foster a dramatic
increase in the amount of wind and solar power and encourage more production of
renewable fuels in Oregon. This will provide a boost to our economy, provide
more reliable sources of energy, and will combat global warming - all while
decreasing our dependence on oil and fossil fuels.
Visit olcv.org to find
out what you can do to make sure we elect the right people to keep Oregon on
track to energy independence.
Those were
the first two words that came to the mind of our executive director, Jonathan
Poisner, when he read Sunday’s Oregonian article
that details how the traffic
analysis for the proposed new “Columbia River Crossing” I-5 Bridge ignored the
growth that the proposed easier highway access to Clark County would
induce.
What do you
think?
Read the rest of Jonathan's post and share your
thoughts on the “Columbia River Crossing” I-5 Bridge over on our blog,
OLCV Talk.
This Sunday's weather forecast calls for 60 degrees and
sunny. Join us
on this beautiful day as we celebrate living sustainably in Newport this Sunday
at the 2008 Sustainable Seafood Bake and silent auction.
The cost of your ticket covers a delicious
sustainable seafood dinner prepared by Chef Laurie Card at Cafe Mundo (includes
gratuity) and entry to our silent auction. The silent auction will feature a
variety of original artwork and goods and services donated by local artists and
merchants. Joe Jordon will provide wonderful live music throughout the
afternoon.
WHEN: Sunday, July 13, 3 PM
- 5 PM WHERE: At the home of Sue Marshall, 15941 SW
Inverurie Road in Lake Oswego
Featuring:
Candidate for Attorney General: John Kroger Candidate
for Clackamas County Commission: Charlotte Lehan Candidate for House
District 18: Jim Gilbert Candidate for House District 37: Michelle Eberle
Candidate for House District 38: Chris Garrett Candidate for House
District 51: Brent Barton
Live music by Water Tower String
Band! Kids Welcome!
It's that time on the year again. Summer is here
and we are doing our part to keep you cool with our 3rd Annual Ice Cream
Social! Please join Senator Ben
Westlund and other OLCV supporters for a great summertime
event. The Ice Cream Social is an annual benefit for OLCV's Washington County
Chapter. WHEN: Sunday, July
27, 2:00 PM WHERE: Tualatin Hills Nature
Park
Show up at 1:00 PM and for a Stroll in the Nature Park
with Representative David
Edwards and other OLCV supporters!
The cost of the event is $10 (No one will be turned away),
but bring your checkbook as we aim to inspire you to donate more. Please RSVP here!
For more information or to let us know you're coming
please contact our Washington County organizer: email Keith
Quick or call 503-227-8073 x 200.
Campaigning to Win 2008! Presented by the
OLCV Education Fund.
With Lead Trainer Joel Bradshaw, veteran of
30 years of campaigns
focusing on the environment and
education.
WHEN: Saturday
August 9th, 8:30 AM through Sunday August 10th, 3:00
PM
WHERE: Canby Grove
Conference Center
Costs: $50 (scholarships available)
includes all materials, meals, and lodging.
Who should attend? Environmentally concerned
citizens who want to take leadership roles in election, advocacy, or
educational campaigns.
What happens at the training? Workshops and
hands-on simulations covering campaign strategy, messaging, voter targeting,
advanced fundraising
and more.
In the words of OLCV Education Fund Executive
Director Jonathan Poisner,
“Joel Bradshaw is the best trainer I’ve ever seen
and I’ve seen plenty. If you want to understand why some campaigns win and
others don’t, go to this training.”
For more information or to register for the event please email
Keith Quick or call 503-227-8073 x
200.
Next week, many of us will celebrate Independence
Day with some good friends, a grill and hopefully beautiful weather. But leading
up to July Fourth and well after the holiday has passed, many of us will ask,
"How much higher can gas prices go?" wonder, "Just how much is global warming
going to affect my children's future?" and "Will we ever become independent from
our addiction to oil?"
"Astonished. Flabbergasted."
