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ACTION ALERT - Tell Legislators to Pass SB 1001On Sunday, February 7, 2010, the Oregonian ran a story about the need for consumers to be clear on the terms of contracts they're agreeing to when purchasing goods or services. More and more, verbal contracts - some with automatic renewals included - are commonplace. Or work orders are being written to include binding contract terms. But there's a chance to ensure that consumers get the information they need before agreeing to any kind of contracts. SB 1001 targets consumer contracts and would require that service providers of all kinds be more clear in their contracts about automatic renewals, cancellation procedures and early-termination fees. What's CUB's interest in the bill? While regulated or "tariffed" services - like electricity, natural gas or basic, land-line telephone service - are not intended to be covered by the bill, products and service from wireless companies and cable companies are and that's where CUB's interest comes in. In fact, wireless companies are among the top opponents to the bill. You can help pass a key piece of pro-consumer legislation in this short session. Please take a few minutes to write to one or more of the members of the Senate Consumer Protection and Public Affairs Committee and your own state senator (and state representative, while you're at it). Members of the Senate Consumer Protection and Public Affairs Committee are: Sen. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Beaverton):
Your e-mail doesn't need to be long. Simply saying "please support SB 1001" would be enough. If you have a story about getting stuck with contract terms that caught you or a friend or family member unexpectedly, it's very appropriate to share it. Mainly, it's important to have a show of grassroots support to overcome the intense opposition from wireless companies. Again, send your e-mail(s) right now. The session is moving very fast and bills have very narrow windows where their fate is decided. Your input could make a key difference. As always, CUB's members and supporters are the BEST! Thanks for your support. Posted by Oregon CUB on February 08, 2010. Permanent link to this article. When an Announcement on Coal is a Good ThingYesterday, Portland General Electric (PGE) sent out this news release about this letter they sent to the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) about the coal-fired Boardman power plant. In essence, PGE said they want to work with stakeholders to change their proposed Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and close Boardman in 2020 rather than upgrade Boardman and operate it until 2040 or longer. A number of folks in the Northwest have been working to stop PGE from investing $500 million in new pollution controls and operating the plant indefinitely into the future. Investing that kind of money in a pulverized coal plant makes little sense for the planet. CUB believes that by avoiding this huge investment, shutting the plant down will have a significant financial benefit to customers. However, until yesterday, PGE was holding firm on their position that they be allowed to operate Boardman at least until its expected life span through 2040. The announcement yesterday signals a turning point in the discussion about Boardman. Continue reading "When an Announcement on Coal is a Good Thing" Posted by Oregon CUB on January 15, 2010. Permanent link to this article. Nuclear Energy Is Back.....Kind OfLast week, many customers of PGE received their Trojan refund checks - a refund associated with the Trojan nuclear power plant which closed more than a decade ago. This seems like a good time to revisit the question of nuclear power. After decades-long moratorium on new nuclear reactors in the United States, nuclear energy is once again on the scene, thanks to the concerns of global warming and the need for alternative energy resources. However, at the same time as it stalemated domestically, nuclear power grew in popularity overseas. Nuclear power has been popular in Europe and Asia both as a solution for meeting climate goals and for mitigating the effects of volatile oil prices. In 2007, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) received applications for new nuclear plants for the first time in decades. With a "nuclear renaissance" occurring in Europe and extending an arm to the United States, it's time to figure out: what "color" is nuclear energy? Continue reading "Nuclear Energy Is Back.....Kind Of" Posted by Oregon CUB on December 07, 2009. Permanent link to this article. Happy ThanksgivingBest wishes to all of CUB's members, supporters, allies and readers for a safe and happy Thanksgiving. We are thankful for all of you and hope you can spend the holiday with family, friends and loved ones. The CUB Board and Staff Posted by Oregon CUB on November 26, 2009. Permanent link to this article. Doing Energy Efficiency the Oregon WayLast week, CUB Executive Director Bob Jenks gave a talk to the NW Energy Coalition Fall Conference in Seattle as part of a panel on encouraging utility investment in energy efficiency. He noted that, despite the resolution made between regional policymakers and stakeholders to spend at least 3% of utility revenues (all utility revenues from both public and private utilities)--a resolution made 13 years ago--today the region as a whole only allocates slightly more than 2 percent, according to the Bonneville Power Administration. Bob said, "After 13 years, even with what we know about climate change, the region has not risen to the challenge it set for itself." The very next day, at CUB's 25th Anniversary event, Bob noted that, for Oregon, "the utilities here tonight have risen to the challenge. NW Natural, PGE and PacifiCorp all will be double the regional average next year." A big reason for that difference is the creation of the Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO). Continue reading "Doing Energy Efficiency the Oregon Way" Posted by Oregon CUB on November 24, 2009. Permanent link to this article. |
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