In the world of climate science, energy and climate change policymaking, 20 years is a long time. Eugene’s 1999 franchise agreement with Northwest Natural has no place in that world.
First, in 1999, the fracked gas revolution had not yet begun. It wasn’t until Congress passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and exempted fracking operations from the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts — the infamous “Halliburton Loophole” — that fracking really took off. Now 15 million Americans live close to fracking operations.
A recent study found that methane leaks from natural gas production erase any advantage that natural gas offers advantages in fighting climate change. Methane is 90 times as potent a greenhouse gas as carbon dioxide.
Today, man made climate change is much better understood than in 1999. In 2000 the United Nations climate agency, the IPCC, rated the probability that human action was heating the planet at 66 percent, while in 2014, the last report, the probability was 95 percent.
It no longer makes sense for Eugene to allow Northwest Natural to use public rights-of-way. The climate, and the world, have changed. Eugene must change, too.
Will Watson
Eugene
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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