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Umatilla’s investment in
Vancouver-based The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation recently received its first installment on the tribe’s investment in Columbia Energy Partners’ first major wind power project in Arlington, Ore., reports Columbia Energy’s president Chris Crowley. The tribe invested in the Vancouver-based renewable energy project developer in 2004, long before any wind power projects were operating in Arlington. Today there are hundreds of wind turbines in the area, with more to come, according to Crowley.
Les Minthorn, Umatilla tribal treasurer, says: “This investment is an important step for us in increasing our participation in the renewable energy industry. The Arlington wind project was a chance for us to put our money where our mouth was in terms of our belief in the need to reduce dependence on the Columbia-Snake hydro system.” Called Rattlesnake Road, the wind project is being constructed by Horizon Wind Energy, which bought it from CEP in December 2006. Rattlesnake Road is expected to begin producing power this year.
Clark County jobless rate up
slightly, Clark County nonfarm employment rose by 300 jobs in June, reports Scott Bailey, regional economist for the state Department of Employment Security. Bailey said this was somewhat below the usual seasonal trend; seasonally-adjusted employment fell by 100 jobs. The total of 137,900 jobs was 1,300 more than that for last June, but a gain of only one percent. The county’s jobless rate was estimated at 6.5 percent in June, up half a point over the month, but more than a full percentage point higher than a year ago, Bailey said. During June about 13,660 county residents were jobless and looking for work. According to Bailey, the number of unemployment claimants jumped by 6 percent, when a 2 to 3 percent decline is typical. The occupational groups with the largest increases in employment were construction, transportation and clerical. Construction employment rose by 100 jobs during June. Manufacturing gained 100 jobs in the electronics category. Trade and transportation jobs were up by 300 seasonal jobs. The total number of construction jobs, 12,400, was 600 fewer than last June. Bailey said that through the first five months of the year housing permits for 525 units were issued, two-thirds for single-family residences. Over the same period last year, 1,017 units were permitted. During the first five months of 1999, over 1,900 units were permitted.
Assessment of plankton in
Vancouver Lake The Vancouver Lake Partnership will hear a report on the plankton in Vancouver Lake by Washington State University Vancouver biologist Steve Bollens, during its 4-to-6 p.m. meeting Wednesday, July 16, in Port of Vancouver offices, 31-03 NW Lower River Road. The biological assessment of the annual summer growth of algae in the lake is the result of a year-long study. The algae growth frequently closes the lake to public use during the summer boating and swimming season. Some county roads getting new surfaces Clark County Public Works road maintenance crews have started to resurface nearly 100 miles of roads throughout the county, which was delayed by wet weather in early June. All crews are caught up on resurfacing projects now, according to Public Works superintendent Dave Shepard. Public Works has a budget of $6.5 million allocated to a variety of projects ranging from replacing road surfaces to spraying asphalt-based sealer on existing surfaces. Letters went out to all affected property owners in May notifying them that resurfacing work would be done on their roads this summer. Some of this work will be done by county staff, with private contractors doing the rest, Shepard said. Calendar Clark County commissioners meet in an informal session at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, in conference room B in the Public Service Center.
CVTV programming on demand: http://www.cityofvancouver.us/cvtv/cvtvindex.asp
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