On this blog, I've previously discussed the fact that Portland General Electric (PGE), which supplies most buildings in the greater Portland area with electricity, has connections to mountaintop-removal mining in Kentucky.  This destructive form of mining has ruined communities and natural ecosystems throughout Appalachia, and has destroyed more than 250 pristine mountains.  Over here in Oregon, citizens can do their part to protest coal by purchasing "green," power from PGE, which comes from renewable sources like wind, geothermal, and small-scale hydropower.  The City of Beaverton purchases green power for city buildings, and has challenged residents to do the same in their homes.  The government of Washington County, however, continues to buy plain-old dirty energy, coming largely from coal. 

Last week, I participated in a Sierra Club protest of PGE's reliance on dirty coal.  We paraded down several Portland streets dressed as Santa and his elves, and ended up at PGE's Portland headquarters.  We gave PGE coal in its stocking for being so naughty this year!  The truth is, though PGE does offer green power to customers, it is also responsible for the single largest source of greenhouse emissions in the state of Oregon: the Boardman Coal Plant.  It is PGE's responsibility to shut this plant down, and replace it with renewable energy projects.  However, it is also the responsibility of PGE's customers - like the Washington County Board of Commissioners - to show that the company can make money off of this kind of energy.  The Boardman Coal Plant is one more reason for Washington County to follow Beaverton's lead, and move away from fossil fuels as an energy source.

If you live in Washington County, PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, ASKING THEM TO CUT USE OF FOSSIL FUELS!