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Local politics, the county, and the world, as viewed by Tammy Maygra Tammy’s views are her own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bill Eagle, his pastor, Tammy’s neighbors, Wayne Mayo, Betsy Johnson, Brad Witt, President Trump, Henry Heimuller, VP Pence, Pat Robertson, Debi Corsiglia’s dog, or Claudia Eagle’s Cats. This Tammy’s Take (with the exception of this disclaimer) is not paid for or written by, or even reviewed by anyone but Tammy and she refuses to be bullied by anyone.
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Do we need an increase in acreage at Port Westward when there is no need to change the zoning? There are no proposed industries.
Letter to The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners
Port Westward
I urge you to rethink the re-zoning of Port Westward when it comes before you. At least take into consideration the amount of acreage which is being sought. Over the last half a century or so just how many companies have sited at Port Westward and succeeded. You can count these companies easily on one hand with fingers to spare. I would suggest if you intend to pass the request for re-zoning which you most certainly will do. At least restrict the number of acres. We have little farm land left in Columbia County, and while many believe that you can’t make a living off a small farm these days, Mike Seeley has proven that yes you can. We don’t know what the future will hold because of climate change and food production, but we just might need that land to produce food for local areas. I believe we need to think outside the box and look ahead. If there is a rush of companies intending to site at Port Westward then I would say re-zone it. But frankly there has never been that issue to address. So why not take it a bit slower and see how things come to fruition.
MONEY PIT: Port Westward has been a continuous money pit property in Columbia County for decades. The taxpayers of Columbia County has paid dearly for the development and possible siting’s of several different energy companies throughout the years at Port Westward. The county was on the hook for about $70 million, for twenty plus years the taxpayers of the county continued to pay off this debt for failed projects. The taxpayers of Oregon has put in approximately $190 million in the development for an ethanol plant. While projections, economists, and a long track history of ethanol facilities failures for the past 50 years. failure was certain.
SPECULATION: This energy speculation has been the same principle. A new technology government money, more tax breaks a boom for the economy. Sounds great right? Well anyone who had done their due diligence and read the simple repeating history of this product could see its future as an ill-fated and doomed investment. Yet---- Columbia County commissioners forged ahead with the manifestation of grandeur. Selling the investment as a golden savior for the county. The company ending up bankrupt, the county in debt, the State of Oregon losing $190 million of taxpayer’s dollars.
ENERGY HUB: Port Westward has drawn many such companies to the area, promising jobs, jobs, jobs, I agree we need industry in our county for the high paying jobs, and for a solid tax base. I understand that the remoteness of the area is prime for an energy hub. I understand why the State of Oregon wants Port Westward to be that hub, keeping unsightly industry out of urban areas and also for safety issues in case of an unforeseen event. PGE, Global are energy companies. PGE has been sited at Port Westward for decades while Global is a new comer. These companies are all that has succeeded, not a very good track record, and clearly proves that there is NO NEED for a huge expansion of re-zone acreage.
PROBLEMATIC The problem with Port Westward is clear. While being remote is positive for safety and cosmetics, it also hinders the prospect of prosperous companies to the area. It is a simple fact, it has a narrow two lane road for ingress and regress. And then again transport to a two lane Hwy 30. Slowing the transport of goods by semi trucks, adding the cost for the transport of products, making it just too costly. It is too far from connecting to a major highway such as I-5. The rail into Port Westward is not large enough to handle a major operation. That leaves barges to carry most of a manufactured product. And barges is not the answer for many facilities.
UNWISE ACTIONS BY THE PORT OF COLUMBIA, And Failures: The Port unwisely signed a long term lease with Lou Soumas and Next Energy. Even the most devoted supporter of Next Energy has said that the project has at best a 50% chance. This was a reckless decision. Another pie in the sky, fly by night, questionable investor. An investor with questionable business practices, deliberate environmental rape of the land, the environment and community. Again, did the Port research the product being offered by Mr. Soumas? His product is in short supply all across Europe where it is closer to countries selling the used oils. Europe is building their own facilities. In fact, many countries which are selling the oil are making their own production facilities, tightening up the market. Making this project even more questionable. Not speculation but simply the facts. While most civilized nations acknowledge climate change and the need to move away from fossil fuels as fast as we can, The Port remained to be the ostrich dinosaur in the room by burying their heads in the sand so to speak by approving Balkan Crude oil to be shipped through their terminal, despite scientific evidence of the damage this product does. Then the Port disregarded the significant risks of the transportation of this oil. By allowing an increase in the API of the oil coming into Port property, making it much harder to clean up an oil spill when it happens. They failed to obtain fire suppression foam in case of a fire, despite admitting this critical component is needed, even with public outcry. The Port has failed in their fiduciary responsibility to determine if adequate insurance coverage is available from the railroad industry should a spill occur. Again something the public, the taxpayers vehemently asked for time and time again, and being sold a bill of goods with a smile from the port commissioners. After all it’s their money which funds Port Westward and the taxpayers common sense demands should be listened too and accounted for and implemented. Being an ostrich by birth is uncontrollable and a natural event and not a bad thing, but to imitate an ostrich by burying ones head in the sand because of the want of political gain, or thoughts of grandeur with the same repeated failures again and again is an insult to this magnificent beast.
Conclusion: It is a straight forth, and simple decision on all your parts. You can either look at the data, history and the future by limiting the number of acres in the non-questionable re-zone, as there is no need for expansion, but you will go ahead and will ultimately happen on your watch. Satisfy all citizens in the county by giving everybody what they want. Or you can be that ostrich.
Tammy
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