Presidential Candidates Focus On Oregon Environment

By Joseph Friedrichs, 5-13-08

As Oregon continues to be focused in the spotlight of national politics, renewable energy, global warming and other environmental issues remain the hot topic.

Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, spent time at Vestas wind-technology plant near Portland Monday afternoon. While touring the plant with its workers, the media and several Oregon politicians - including Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski -McCain said global warming issues “demand our urgent attention, especially in Washington.”

Last week both Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama were in Oregon touting renewable energy. All three candidates are now speaking consistently about how important fossil fuel reductions and alternative energy resources will be in the near future.

The problem is, not one of the candidates is addressing the fact that not all Oregonians are in favor of the current means of production involved with creating renewable energy resources.

From expansive wind farms in the Columbia Gorge to geothermal power plants near Summer and Paulina lakes, there are some Oregon residents who simply aren’t interested in having their backyards dotted with giant, man-made structures. In the case of wind farms, those who aren’t rallying for the cause claim the turbines are too loud, kill too many birds and are a terrible eyesore. Most of the proposed geothermal power production in Oregon would drastically morph some of the state’s most scenery, including a national monument area near East and Paulina lakes.

What needs to be addressed is exactly where wind farms, geothermal and solar energy have the greatest capacity to serve their purpose while having the least amount of impact on Oregon’s land and its residents. This, of course, is no small task. In turn, Oregonians must pay as close attention to their use of energy both inside and outside the home.

In the past week I’ve seen firsthand how ignorant some of my friends are regarding energy use. On Thursday of last week some friends and I were stopped on Highway 138 just outside of Elkton at a construction site. A line of about 50 vehicles had to wait about 20 minutes before we were allowed to travel down the highway’s only open lane. While we were waiting I stepped outside of my friend’s truck to soak in some sun and stretch the legs. When I stepped out of the truck I noticed my other friend parked behind us still had the engine to his Chevy Blazer running. We had already been parked for more than 10 minutes at this point. When I approached the Blazer and inquired while it was still on my friend had nothing more to offer than a blank stare. After I returned his stare with a snarling scowl, he cut the engine.

Several days after this I was back in Bend at a friend’s house on the east side of town. When I walked into the house another friend of ours was also over to watch some NBA playoffs and kick back with a couple cold ones. When I entered I noticed all the blinds in the house were closed and that nearly all the lights were turned on. It was 3:30 in the afternoon, and although it wasn’t a particularly sunny day, there was still natural light to be had. Immediately I inquired of their vampire-like lifestyle, to which the owner of the house only muttered the following: “Huh?” After a brief explanation, the curtains were pulled open and most of the lights were turned off.

As great as it is to hear all three of the candidates address climate change and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, it would be splendid to hear someone admit the possibility that there is still a tremendous amount of research and work to be done before we figure out how to heal our damaged planet. In the mean time, all of us must do our part to help out. Take the bus to work, or maybe walk or ride a bike. Keep the blinds open during the day and the lights off. Wear a sweater or hat in the evening to keep the heat low. And please, oh I beg of you please, cut that engine when it has no use in running.