4/18/08

Thanks for writing back. It raised other questions.

PacificCorp replace the dams with what?

Dams somewhere else? Where?

Please don’t think that wave power is anything the coast wants. Wave buoy arrays are scheduled to be placed in our richest crab fishing grounds. Dungeness crab fishing is the most important (dollar wise) of our remaining commercial fisheries. We do not want that land, and the environmental effects that come with it, being given over to private money interests in a grossly inefficient and expensive power scheme.

Wind seems doable. Solar doesn’t hurt the environment either. Hydro has its problems, but it’s very efficient and renewable (as long as water runs downhill).

Please also consider the needs of the Klamath Basin . When BOR builds a project, it also builds a power plant to run it. As you probably know, California Oregon Power Co. negotiated with BOR in the early decades of the Twentieth Century for the rights to build its dams. It would provide power to the Klamath project at BOR rates, for the privilege of selling the other appx. 90 percent of the power it would generate into the retail market.

I would hope that as a member of the community, your group has a proposal to supply the Klamath Basin farms and districts with power at BOR rates. I’d like to know your plan in that regard, too.

I had a schedule conflict last night and could not attend your group’s movie showing here in Coos Bay .

Thanks

jg

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From: Malena Marvin [mailto:malena@klamathriver.org] Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:10 PM To: John Griffith Subject: Re: Un-Dam the Klamath Film Nights on the Oregon Coast THIS WEEK

John,

This is a good question, ultimately one PacifiCorp will need to answer, as it is their responsibility to replace the power. Groups like Klamath Riverkeeper can make suggestions but have no real say in the matter, and are not necessarily energy experts.

One thing to keep in mind is that the dams provide 161 mw of power. For perspective, the state of Caifornia has a rated capacity of over 55,000 mw. This means the dams provide a relatively small portion of what's out there, and I believe less than 2% of PacifiCorp's spread. Replacing the power is well within the range of capacity growth energy companies are already facing.

Further, the state of Oregon has passed a law stating that 25% of all the state's power sources must be "renewable" by the year 2025. PacifiCorp is around 2% renewables at the moment, and so will need to pick up the pace in that department anyway.

Some economic analyses have found that even using "green" energy sources (wind and solar etc.) to replace the dams will cost PacifiCorp less money than upgrading the dams to fit current fish passage standards.

My personal hope is that PacifiCorp will take advantage of the opportunity to replace the dams, which due to their environmental impacts are not necessarily considered renewable, with wind, solar or other emerging renewable technologies. What our country needs is investment in research and development of these technologies, so that we can provide the manufacturing and installation, rather than the European companies we often depend on for wind turbines, etc. PacifiCorp has a great opportunity to make inroads in this direction - undoubtedly a smart investment for the future judging from the way things are headed - and meet Oregon state law.

Thanks for your question,

Malena

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On Apr 16, 2008, at 8:32 AM, John Griffith wrote:

I’d like to know what plan you have to replace the power that would be lost.

Thanks

John Griffith

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From: Malena Marvin [mailto:malena@klamathriver.org] Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 7:51 AM To: zgrader Cc: Paul and Chris Merz; Toz Soto; Aaron Longton; Arnie Roblan; bbrown@co.klamath.or.us; Bill Krum; Bob Kemp; Brad Pettinger; Carla Hedgpeth; clyde haga; Craig Tucker; Dan Morris; David Allen; Deborah Boone; Dixie; Doug Whitset; Duncan MacLean; Evan; Gerald Gunnari; Gus Gates; hugh@oregondungeness.org; Jeff Reeves; Jennifer Wimpress; Jim McCarthy; JODY MCCAFFREE; John Griffith; Jon Souder; Kathy Wall; Laurel Johnson; Lucie LaBonte; Mark Newell; Mike Becker; Nancy Fitzpatrick; Nick Furman; Otar Overacker; Paul Heikkila; Ray Monroe; Rick Goche; Rick Costales; Rick Barnes; Rick Shepherd; Ron Reed; Sally Bogardus; Scott Cook; Scott Adams; Scott Hartzell; Scott Learn; Shawn Ryan; Steve Bodnar; Steve Kandra; Terri Moffett; Terry Thompson; Troy Fletcher; Val Folkema; Vivian Helliwell; wayne_kinney@wyden.senate.gov; 1rfish; Al Pazar; BARRY + BONNIE JOYCE; Bill Kennedy; Bill Monroe; Bob Laport; Brian Craig; Cindy; Dan Draper; Danny Goddard; David Goldenberg; dhillemeier@yuroktribe.nsn.us; Don Mann; Doug Whitset; Dwight Collins; Gary Gripp; greg@kwua.org; henriksen@harborside.com; Jeff Feldner; jekelund@presys.com; Jim Moore; Jim Carleton; Joel Kawahara; Jon McKnight; Julie Watson; Kieth Olson; leo grandmontagne; Luther; Mark Fleck; Mike Lester; Nick Edwards; Onno Husing; Paul Hanneman; Pete Price; Rep Roblan; Rep Boone; rep. Jean Cowan; Robert Jump; Roy Gault; Scott McMullen; Susan Chambers; Vernon Grieve; Wayne Krieger Subject: Un-Dam the Klamath Film Nights on the Oregon Coast THIS WEEK

Please excuse a one-time theft of Zeke's list there, hope to see coast folks this week at our film nights. Also, I'm interested to know if there are any listserves serving Oregon Coast salmon fishermen/supporters. Maybe we need to make one? Its time to mobilize!

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Un-Dam the Klamath Film Nights in Astoria, Newport, Coos Bay and Brookings

Please join Klamath Riverkeeper for "Solving the Klamath Crisis, Keeping Fish and Farms Alive," an inspiring and informative documentary on the effort to un-dam the Klamath River, and return salmon to 300+ miles of historic spawning habitat blocked for the last 90 years.

Fishermen from Washington to California are joining environmental groups, native tribes, and the general public in a grassroots effort to recover our region's lifeblood: wild pacific salmon. With fishing closures looming almost every season, we are finally seeing firsthand the dangerous consequences we face when salmon habitat is destroyed. The time has never been better to join forces to protect this amazing renewable resource, and our way of life.

The 45-minute film will show audiences how PacifiCorp's dams are affecting salmon on the Klamath River, as well as how the Klamath's declining Chinook salmon runs impact commercial fishing communities from southern California to northern Oregon. Filmgoers will also learn how PacifiCorp is planning to pay for upgrading and re-licensing its aging dams by increasing power rates to its customers. T-shirts, bumper stickers, and comment cards for the Oregon Public Utilities commission will be available.

The film will show at four locations on the Oregon coast in April:

Astoria - 4/15, 7:00 pm - Liberty Theater, 1203 Commercial St. , Astoria

Newport - 4/16, 7:00 pm - Hatfield Marine Science Center , 2030 SE Marine Science Dr. , Newport

Coos Bay - 4/17, 7:00 pm - Egyptian Theater, HWY 101 Coos Bay

Brookings - 4/18, 7:00 pm - Chetco Community Public Library, 405 Alder St, Brookings.
 
For more information please contact Klamath Riverkeeper at malena @ klamathriver.org or 541-821-7260 or http://www.klamathriver.org.
___________________________

Malena Marvin
Outreach and Science Director
Klamath Riverkeeper
PO Box 897 , Ashland , OR 97520
cell: 541.821.7260, ph/fax: 541.488.3553

___________________________

Malena Marvin
Outreach and Science Director
Klamath Riverkeeper
PO Box 897, Ashland , OR 97520
cell: 541.821.7260, ph/fax: 541.488.3553
malena@klamathriver.org
www.klamathriver.org