JUNE 2008: FROM THE EDITOR
Finding the energy
“Oregon could be the clean energy capital of the free
world, but ...”
“The solar industry is a locomotive that has already
left the station, and it is accelerating.”
Both of these quotes have appeared on our cover. The first, by
clean energy investor Nancy Floyd, was in June 2006. That
month’s cover story detailed how Oregon was falling
behind in the emerging alternative energy sector and lacked the
political will to change. Gas prices were hitting $3 a gallon,
oil was selling at about $77 a barrel and global warming was
making headlines. I believe I used the phrase “gutless
weasels” in my column that issue to describe my tender
feelings about the state’s inability to get behind clean
energy policies.
Exactly two years later, the second quote, by Solaicx CEO Bob
Ford, is on this month’s cover. The story that associate
editor Ben Jacklet writes about the growth of the solar
industry couldn’t be more different than the June 2006
cover story. Spurred by tax incentives passed in the 2007
Legislature, the industry has exploded over the past year and
Oregon is one of the leaders.
Only time will tell if solar will make a significant dent in
the country’s energy needs, but time also is running
short. Gas is approaching $4 a gallon, oil is above $120 a
barrel and global warming is making headlines. Like they say,
déjà vu all over again.
Energy costs are of great concern to our readers, who weigh in
on related topics on page 8 in this month’s online
survey. They’re alarmed over global warming, and
economist Joe Cortright on page 10 analyzes how the right
incentives can help climate change.
Readers are worried about the price of oil, but there also is
nervousness over the increasing costs of energy in general.
Rising fuel costs are playing out in many ways across Oregon.
In Around The State this month, we have several reports tied to
spiking prices: Coburg’s Monaco Coach has cut 600 jobs;
food costs at farmers markets are headed up; and traffic was
down at Mt. Bachelor as Portland metro skiers stayed closer to
home to save on gas. Every facet of business right now is
grappling with some aspect of energy.
Oregon is making some progress on alternative energy, so
I’ll rescind (for the moment) the “gutless
weasel” label. But I’m keeping it handy. I figure
I’ll need it when the debate over health-care reform
heats up later in this political season.
