Two funding priorities in Oregon's subsidy system have lined up for a head-on collision as outlined by a recent article in the Portland Tribune.
http://portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=128579295581531200
The first funding priority; bring alternative energy jobs into the state. What this has amounted to primarily is manufacturing jobs. Two of the biggest wins on this front are Solar World and Vestas. Granted these are foreign companies, but they have set up significant presence on US soil right here in Oregon: Solar World has a growing manufacturing arm, and Vestas has set up its North American headquarters for sales and service.
Some of the other companies that have been enticed into Oregon thanks to our political leader's actions include other solar manufacturing, Biomass ventures, small electric vehicle manufacturing, and fuel-cell ventures. The list of companies as of 2009 was encouraging. This past year hasn't seen much change in the list, and I am a bit discouraged by this.
The second funding priority; bring alternative energy sources online. These two priorities would seem to work hand-in-hand at first glance, since one works the supply side, and the other works the demand side. The problem lies in that the demand side of this equation does nothing to prevent an end-run around the supply side. What I mean is that if there are suppliers out there that have lower cost options than the locally supplied versions, the consumer taking advantage of the second funding option has no incentive to buy locally. Seems somehow counterproductive and unsustainable if you ask me.
So the time to act is now! Those of us in Oregon who prefer to see other working Oregonians keep their jobs must step up and DO something! Oregon's congress needs to put on their thinking-caps and figure out a way to keep state money productive toward state jobs... but without their constituents raising the clarion call clear and loud, other Salem noise will drown out this message. I am calling on each of you, my friends and family here in Oregon to write a note to Salem, call, or text... whatever... in order to raise the awareness that we want our state money to NOT go to more in-humane condition Chinese manufacturing.
Who is with me?
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