Loo Wit Group August 2023 Newsletter

Loo Wit Rumblings

August 2023 Newsletter

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News

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Oil Industry and Prices at the Pump
by Don Steinke, Loo Wit Advisory Council

The oil industry has dumped hundreds of millions of dollars into fake grassroots campaigns and extensive lobbying efforts against climate policies nationally and in Olympia during each legislative session.

Since February of last year, the oil industry has spent over $1.5 million operating a front group, Affordable Fuel Washington, which is running ads blaming climate policies for high gas prices.

The irony is that the high prices we pay at the pump actually pay for their ads. Really, the oil industry doesn’t care about high gas prices at all – in fact, they love them!

Washingtonians deserve better. We need more information on what goes into the price at the pump and how much profit the oil industry generates. California just passed legislation to provide transparency and prevent price-gouging from Big Oil, and so should Washington.

Mandates Phase Out Coal, Gas Power
by Mark Leed, Chair

Washington and Oregon have both passed mandates to phase out coal and gas as power sources.

At the same time, demand for electricity in the Northwest is expected to grow significantly over the next 20 years. While most of this expected demand is in population centers west of the Cascades, most new solar arrays and wind farms are in eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Beefing up capacity to transmit this new renewable energy to consumers is critical. Transmission lines will need to be upgraded and, in some cases, new lines will need to be built.

While the federal government has dedicated funding for grid upgrades, we’re running out of time to get this done soon enough to forestall a climate catastrophe. Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has unfortunately not been proactive in its plans for connecting new renewable energy to the grid, or in accelerating upgrades to existing projects like the Montana to Washington (M2W) line.

Sierra Club and our allies are advocating for BPA policy changes to move forward at the speed required to meet our 2030 climate goals, and for speeding up investments to upgrade M2W. The Club’s Washington Chapter has made this a priority and we’ll keep you updated on progress.

Loo Wit Endorses Ty Stober, Don Orange
by Richard Koller, Political Chair

Loo Wit Group has endorsed two incumbents, Ty Stober and Don Orange, for reelection in November.

Stober was endorsed in 2019 and currently serves as mayor pro-tem. He is running for position 5. Ty has been a leader as a member of the city council on the adaptation of the leading-edge Vancouver Climate Action Framework and the banning of new large storage tanks in the city. He has supported local transit and worked to make Vancouver safer for bicyclists and pedestrians. Ty’s top goal is to increase the amount and diversity of housing in Vancouver so those of every income level can access a home they can afford. He reflects Sierra Club values.

Don Orange has also again earned Loo Wit’s endorsement after being endorsed in 2017. He has served as Port of Vancouver commissioner for District 1. Don voted to successfully reject the largest oil by rail terminal in North America at the port. He has consistently supported environmental action and the increased use of renewable energy at the port and strongly exhibits Sierra Club values.

Loo Wit Outings Offer Fall Adventures
By Lehman Holder, Outings Chair

Although July and August heat has limited hiking outings, hikes are expected to resume as the weather cools in September and October – so be sure you check Loo Wit’s Meetup page for new postings:  https://meetup.com/portland-vancouver-sierra-club-outings-events.

Kayaking and cycling went well and had good participation in June, July and August. Kayak outings paddled nearby lakes and rivers including Lacamas Lake, East Fork Lewis River, Lake River and Lewis River south. An Aug 31 kayak outing was set to paddle a section of the Willamette River south of Portland.

Bike outing participants rode routes to Vancouver Lake and Frenchman’s Bar parks, the Renaissance (aka Riverfront) Trail, Felida, and sections of the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail.

Kayak and bike outings for 2023 will conclude by mid-October, so don’t wait to join us!!

Donations Welcomed Due to Contributions
Loo Wit Group ExCom occasionally approves requests for assistance from partner environmental groups needing help on various issues affecting SW Washington.

If you would like to make a contribution to Loo Wit to help with this, please send a check made out to Sierra Club to P.O. Box 13, Vancouver, WA 98666. Donations are accepted and welcomed in any amount. Thank you!

Executive Committee Roster for 2023

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