Defending the Public Interest: Why Attorney Steve Gorham Supports CUB
Posted on November 26, 2018 by Samuel Pastrick
Tags, General Interest

Steve Gorham found his niche as a criminal defense lawyer working as an attorney for Marion County Legal Aid through the VISTA volunteer program. His first exposure to energy issues was as a member of the Trojan Decommissioning Alliance. At that time, Trojan Nuclear Power Plant had been open two years and this group was determined to close it down. It was in August of 1977 that Steve responded to a call for volunteer attorneys to defend the protesters arrested for staging the nation’s first occupation of a nuclear power plant.
I could almost feel Steve smile over the phone as he shared about the team of six lawyers who successfully used an Oregon law that invokes the “choice of evils” as it relates to public harm. They argued that a nuclear power plant was of “imminent danger” to the public and therefore the greater “evil” when compared to the act of trespassing.
Then there was the issue of PGE’s authority. Technically, the protesters were on railroad land, not PGE property and so it was questionable whether they were trespassing at all. Either way, it was nationwide news when the jury acquitted all defendants of trespassing charges.
This experience solidified Steve’s interest in criminal law, which he still practices today. It also introduced him to the work of the Public Utility Commission and the establishment of a new watchdog organization: Oregon CUB. Steve eventually joined the CUB Board, and as a resident of Salem he represented CUB members in the 5th Congressional District.
Steve is a 20-year member of CUB and longtime Ursa Major Society giver. When asked why he has continued to support CUB for so long and in such a substantial way, he responded immediately. “CUB is important” Steve said, “because as an individual it’s hard to impact the system, but when we band together we can make a difference.”
We are so very grateful to Steve for his strong commitment to making a difference. Whether we are standing up to utilities to reduce rate hikes, or working closely with them to close down expensive, dirty coal plants, the gifts you make impact CUB’s positive outcomes. So please, band together with Steve by joining or donating to CUB and make a real difference this #GivingTuesday season.
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09/05/22 | 0 Comments | Defending the Public Interest: Why Attorney Steve Gorham Supports CUB