U.S. District Judge James A. Redden, who presided over the Northwest's biggest salmon lawsuit for nearly a decade, told Idaho Public Television that the Snake River's four hydropower dams should be breached to help wild salmon.
"I think we need to take those dams down," Redden said.
What a model of judicial impartiality! But, that's Oregon for ya. Our retread governor's cut from the same cloth:
Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber wants an extensive federal government review of exporting coal to Asia through Northwest ports, saying coal export could clog barge and train routes, increase diesel and coal dust pollution and boost amounts of toxic mercury drifting back to Oregon when Asian countries burn coal.
Kitzhaber, a Democrat with strong ties to environmental groups that oppose coal export, requested the comprehensive review in a letter Wednesday to the Bureau of Land Management and the Army Corps of Engineers today. He also called for the review in a broader speech on "clean energy" today before the Future Energy Conference in Portland.
Yep, Kitz is right in there, fighting for Oregon jobs and economic growth (as long as only wind power is used to keep those all-important espresso machines running for the legions of baristas who'll be flocking here Real Soon Now). Even though the USA has a lot of coal - and the technology to burn it cleaner than anybody else on the planet - Retread doesn't want us to use it. But he also doesn't want anybody else to use it, either.
Jimmy hates hydro; Johnny hates coal. Both hate inexpensive energy. Neither live in mud huts.
