Cross-posted from my campaign blog
The cost of a gallon of gasoline is dropping around the country these days, but we're not feeling much relief here in Oregon, according to this article in today's Oregonian. While the average retail price for gasoline has fallen to $2.50 a gallon, Oregonians are still paying $2.85 a gallon on average.
We can and must do more at the statewide level to invest in alternative energies so we can help achieve energy independence and provide relief at the pump. We must not allow ourselves to be held captive by the price of oil in Saudi Arabia, Venezuela or Russia.
There was a time, not so long ago, when Oregon was at the forefront of the national debate. Leaders like Tom McCall and Mark Hatfield offered innovative and future-minded ideas -- progressive ideas -- that the rest of the country envied and copied.
Now, Salem is full of career politicians devoid of the vision to move Oregon forward. Many in the legislature want to turn back the clock rather than embrace the policies needed for a more prosperous future. For example, my opponent, House Majority Leader Wayne Scott, is stuck in the politics of the past. He has taken close to $20,000 in campaign contributions from oil and energy corporations like Chevron Texaco, Conoco-Phillips and Tesoro. With leaders like him, it's no wonder Oregon's gas prices are so high and Oregon is not enacting legislation that would help decrease our dependence on foreign oil.
But I know that we can achieve energy independence and that Oregon can be a leader in developing renewable and alternative energy source. I believe in the ingenuity of my fellow Oregonians. With tax credits, we can provide incentives to increase the production of ethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen and hybrid power for our cars and wind, solar, hydro, geothermal and wave power for our homes. Wind power, in particular, is a great alternative for Oregon given the abundance of wind in areas like the Columbia Gorge.
Leadership must also come from within the state government. As State Representative, I will investigate the energy usage by various agencies and find new efficiencies, where possible. A great start would be to require more gas-efficient vehicles -- perhaps even hybrids -- when an agency must replace a car, truck or van. Minor changes in the heating and cooling of state-owned buildings could also make a surprising difference.
These are far from the only steps that we can take. But they are steps in the right direction. A 2003 study (.pdf) by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy found that relatively small tweaks could produce electricity savings in Oregon of 2.7% in one year and 5.2% over 5 years; and produce natural gas savings in the state of 2.3% in one year and 5.1% over 5 years. Another study (.pdf) written by Amory B. Lovins for the September 2005 issue of Scientific American found that we could, as a nation, create an annual savings of $70 billion by 2025 "from improving the efficiency of oil use and finding substitutes for oil."
Oregon can reclaim a leadership role in the national debate as it did in the era of Hatfield and McCall. We just need to elect a new generation with that same capacity to embrace ambitious and progressive policies rather than be confined and limited by today's political strictures.
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Mike Caudle is the Democratic nominee for the Oregon House of Representatives from the 39th district, which encompasses Oregon City, Canby and surrounding Clackamas County. To learn more about Mike, visit mikecaudle.com, Mike's campaign blog, Mike's Facebook group or Mike's ActBlue page.