One of the largest contributors to the climate crisis is the burning of coal for energy. We know that if we are to make the necessary changes to avert or diminish the climate crisis, we need to stop the use of coal and other fossil fuels.

PacifiCorp is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company, getting 77% of its energy resources from either coal or natural gas.

In Oregon, PacifiCorp is the second largest for-profit energy utility. Because the cost of other energy sources are now either less expensive or close to being so, Oregon Public Utility Commissioner (PUC) asked PacifiCorp to conduct an economic study, which it did.

BUT IT IS NOT RELEASING THE RESULTS.

Sierra Club conducted their own study of PacifiCorp coal-burning facilities and found them to “pose a significant financial risk to its customers.” And we know that the longer we take to get off coal, the worse the climate crisis becomes, creating an even greater risk than the financial one.

Sierra Club has started a campaign to force the PacifiCorp’s report release by showing the PUC that Oregonians and customers of PacifiCorp want their report to be released. We want PacifiCorp to transition immediately off of coal and fossil fuels.

Their campaign is asking that Oregonians write post cards to the PUC to be sure that PUC continues to apply their leadership and hold Pacific Power accountable to providing transparency and the lowest cost and least climate disrupting energy to its customers.

Post cards, or comment letters, should be mailed to each of the PUC commissioners – Chair Decker, Commissioner Bloom, Commissioner Tawney, and PUC Staff. That is a total of four for each of you. 


Mail your cards or comments to
Public Utility Commission of Oregon
PO Box 1088
Salem, OR 97308-1088

More information and talking points available here.

I love the lower Columbia River near Kalama, Washington. There is no better place to paddle my kayak, watch the birds, and fall in love again with the beauty of the earth. Kalama, halfway between Portland and Longview is near Sand Island, where I have overnighted with my kayak, waking up to morning bird song. It's a little bit of paradise.

The Action of the Week is to protect the lower Columbia River and speak out against a proposed methanol refinery in Kalama. If built, this single refinery would consume more fracked gas every day than all households and power plants in the state of Washington. 

By 2025, the Kalama methanol refinery would be Washington’s number one cause of greenhouse gas pollution.

And for what?

Fracked natural gas would be sent to Kalama via trains, barges or pipeline. With much of it coming through the Columbia Gorge. It would be unloaded and refined into methanol at the refinery. This polluting gas would then be shipped overseas to China to make plastic, only to be shipped back to us as finished products. All part of the more economy!

Oregon and Washington have formed a thin green line against new fossil fuel infrastructure. We have been saying no to pipelines, refineries and transfer ports to pressure this industry to stop oil and gas extraction. We need a NEW economy that doesn't rely on fossil fuels. 

​Join Columbia Riverkeeper's petition to Governor Jay Inslee to stop this refinery. Click Here!

In Love and Faith,
Rev. Katie Larsell​