This week I met with Congressman Peter DeFazio in his DC office about the Western Oregon Wind Project a 5MW renewable energy smart/micro-grid to generate $2 million in alternative funding for local schools. Happily, he agreed to carry the request to the House Appropriation’s Energy and Water Subcommittee but cautions it is a very competitive arena and he has received $800 million in requests from the 4th District alone.
In Coos County the unemployment rate has reached almost 14% and Coquille Schools are facing an $850,000 budget reduction next year. More than ever our local leaders need to start looking for alternatives for our greatest resource, our children. Oregon already has one of the shortest school years in the nation while at the same time spending more on corrections than higher education. There is a correlation between poor education and crime and prisons.
Studies have indicated for a family of four to make ends meet and have one stay at home parent requires $24 per hour. The WOW will save or create 196 family wage jobs right out the gate and because the $1million now being exported out of the local economy to import power will stay local many more jobs will spring up. Repeating the WOW template ten times will generate, over ten years, $310 million to put back into Oregon schools.
Additionally, $35 million in federal stimulus money is being set aside for projects in Oregon that reduce fossil fuel emissions and energy use. Coos County can harvest electrons through its rich wind and solar resource and sell those electrons just exactly as it harvests timber and get paid extra to do it by helping the state achieve carbon neutrality.
Before returning to Oregon I am meeting with the US Department of Energy to learn how best to bring these and other federal energy stimulus dollars into our area working through the Oregon DOE. Opportunities are abundant despite the dire news and if we work together, organize and maintain pressure on our federal and state representatives to support decentralized power generation in rural Oregon and beyond our children can expect the same or better educational benefits of every other child in America.
Last year Dian Courtright and I observed Earth Hour at my home by turning off the lights and appliances for one hour and walking around Coquille to see who else might be making the gesture. This year in Alexandria, Virginia many lights went out and the nation’s Capitol did make an effort, as did other major cities around the world, to dim the lights and hold candle light vigils for our planet.
Pubs served drinks by votive candle and restaurants brought battery-powered lights into restaurants and drums beat softly amidst the cherry blossoms as I walked around the city. Hopefully, next year Coos County and Coquille will join the increasing number of communities each year that celebrate Earth Hour by turning off the lights.
