The Oregon coast dead zone makes national news and not in a good way. The BP Oil spill may cause even larger dead zones in the Gulf than already exist further damaging the ecology and the fishing industry.

Peter DeFazio (D-OR) received a terse call from White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel scolding the Congressman for not towing the party line, or more accurately, the Obama line.

The White House chief of staff last month expressed frustration with DeFazio’s resignation calls for President Barack Obama’s top two economic aides — Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and White House chief economist Larry Summers” and appealed for cooperation, according to DeFazio.

DeFazio has brushed off pressure from Al Gore and Nancy Pelosi as well

He has emerged in recent months as one of the most vocal liberal critics of the Obama administration, blasting the president’s team for not getting tough enough with Wall Street. He’s also taken on his own party for failing to move left-leaning legislation through the Congress.

Personal calls from Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and former Vice President Al Gore couldn’t persuade him to vote for the Speaker’s climate change bill. He also opposed the $787 billion stimulus, citing concerns that only 7 percent was devoted to infrastructure spending.

As regards the stimulus, the only part of the stimulus that has really worked to stimulate the economy is that 7% spent on infrastructure, one of my favorite topics.

As a testament to the impact this murder had on the friends and family of Jayme Austin and the community the Lone Pine Fire Hall in Fairview was packed to the gills and the doors opened to allow participation from outside.

It was a moving and emotional service and afterward, as befitting the rural farm area and Jayme’s upbringing riding horses and carousing in the neighborhood, the stories were earthy and funny. My sons traveled up from California and I rushed over from an event I was participating in in Cottage Grove and I learned a lot about Jayme’s feisty spirit and how much her family will miss her.

To her family I hope they will hold themselves for better times. To Jayme, peace be upon you.

Oregon-based shoe maker Nike has resigned from its board position on the US Chamber of Commerce over a split on climate control regulation.

…Nike corporation said Wednesday it would abandon its position on the board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, citing differences with the business group on climate change.

The latest business to break with the Chamber, a top business group, Nike said they “fundamentally disagree” with the Chamber’s position on climate change and its decision to challenge an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruling on carbon emissions.

According to a company statement

“Nike believes U.S. businesses must advocate for aggressive climate change legislation and that the United States needs to move rapidly into a sustainable economy to remain competitive and ensure continued economic growth,”

This is a principled and reasonable stance and I applaud Nike for taking it, though not enough to start buying their products. On the other hand they may re-sign convicted dog fighter, Michael Vick…

When Vick got himself locked up for dog fighting, among the many things he lost was his endorsement deal with the shoe company.

Now that Vick is back on the field, he is trying to get back to his old position of power. Being a Nike spokesman again would do just that, but Nike released a statement today saying they did not bring him back. Instead, they claim that they gave Vick some Nike supplies, but will not let him officially endorse Nike products – not yet, anyway.

Governor Ted Kulongoski will distribute $75,944 to Coos County schools in federal stimulus funds for energy efficiency projects in K-12 schools in Coos County as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

North Bay Elementary Coos Lighting retrofit $35,000
North Bend Middle School Coos Domestic hot water system $20,472
Hillcrest Elementary School Coos Domestic hot water system $20,472

09/22/2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For More Information
Sept. 22, 2009 Anna Richter Taylor, Governor’s Office
503-378-6169
Lou Torres, Oregon Dep’t of Energy
09-29 503-378-3637

SALEM-Governor Ted Kulongoski today announced that Oregon has been approved by the U.S. Department of Energy to distribute over $500,000 in federal stimulus funds for energy efficiency projects in K-12 schools throughout the state. These 22 projects will be funded by the first installment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) dollars the state has received for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

These Recovery Act funds can be used for public buildings, including K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and government buildings. To date, the state has received authorization to spend $17 million of the $42 million it has been awarded under the U.S. DOE’s State Energy Program (SEP). The U.S. Department of Energy administers the funds, approves the projects and reviews the state’s progress.

“These first set of projects represent an excellent opportunity for K-12 schools to invest in conservation and energy efficiency that dramatically reduce energy costs, and benefit taxpayers over the long term,” said Governor Kulongoski. “We are planning to deploy the additional funds over the next few months in our effort to use the Recovery Act funding on both shovel ready and longer term energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.”

The state’s overall strategy is to use Recovery Act SEP funding for an estimated 200 energy projects on public buildings, and to look for opportunities to leverage these funds for innovative projects, programs and initiatives that address state energy priorities and have a high potential for achieving Recovery Act SEP goals. The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) received over 1,100 letters of interest representing a request of over $2 billion in ARRA funding. The state will focus awards on projects that increase energy efficiency, use renewable energy, incorporate promising technologies, save energy, reduce energy costs and invest in local communities.
This initial set of projects consists of lighting retrofits and heating and cooling system upgrades to public schools. Many school buildings are old and have inefficient equipment, and maintenance is often deferred for many years due to lack of funds.

“A typical lighting project will save a school 25% to 50% in energy costs a year which can result in thousands of dollars in savings for schools districts,” said Mark Long, Director of the Oregon Department of Energy. “A significant savings in energy costs means that more money can be spent in the classroom. Our students and teachers benefit, as well as taxpayers.”
The Oregon Department of Energy decided to implement this program through a phased approach. This first set of projects was chosen because they demonstrate long term energy savings, are shovel ready, and are under $50,000 in requested funds. Additional energy projects range in size from over $50,000 to under $1 million in requested funds and will be evaluated, and those selected for funding will be “phased in” over the next 90 days. Applications are required for these larger and more technically complex projects.

The 22 K-12 school building projects receiving funding are:

School County Project Funds
Crane Union High School Harney Building envelope retrofit $16,625
Jewell School Clatsop Gym lighting $5,300
Fossil High School Wheeler Gym lighting $15,360
Mitchell School District Wheeler Lighting retrofit $11,670
Frankton School Hood River System upgrade, lighting retrofit $49,964
Cascade Locks Schools Hood River Install DDC system, lighting retrofit $31,301
May Street Elementary School Hood River Lighting retrofit, system upgrade $39,225
Arlington High School Gilliam Lighting retrofit $6,600
Condon High School Gilliam Gym lighting $8,640
Arlington Elementary School Gilliam Lighting retrofit $16,800
Long Creek School District Grant Lighting retrofit $18,673
North Bay Elementary Coos Lighting retrofit $35,000
North Bend Middle School Coos Domestic hot water system $20,472
Hillcrest Elementary School Coos Domestic hot water system $20,472
Stanfield School District Umatilla HVAC upgrade $29,796
Stanfield School District Umatilla Lighting retrofits $37,544
Beaverton School District Washington Replace resistive heat units $37,200
Springfield Public Schools Lane Install occupancy sensors $43,000
Malabon Elementary School Lane Lighting retrofit $45,000
Fairfield Elementary School Lane Lighting retrofit $22,400
Elizabeth Page Elementary Lane Building envelope retrofit $15,000
Springfield Public Schools Lane Lighting retrofit $5,000

Total $531,042

On N Baxter between 3rd and 4th Streets lies a potentially explosive device. Oregon State Police have been called in and are sending up a bomb squad from Medford. This picture of the device might easily be confused with Sand Candy

Oregon State Police collect the bomb, put it into a day box for evaluation and testing and will attempt to lift prints. CPD Sgt Smith says the bomb looked pretty juvenile.

The Byers are having a little get together in Roseburg for Bill Bradbury’s gubernatorial effort from 4PM to 7PM today. There is another event planned in Coos Bay at the Black Market tomorrow as well.