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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Chris Honoré: Reality television and the GOP primaries ... Mural of rescued horses to be unveiled in Talent ... Designer creates spaces for people to have experiences ... Chris Honoré: Reality television and the GOP primaries ... Mural of rescued horses to be unveiled in Talent ... Designer creates spaces for people to have experiences ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, April 30 Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Apr. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Wyden easy to reach Sen. Ron Wyden's Medord office has a recording suggesting phoning the Portland office for immediate help. A staff member answered right away and listened to my concerns. I found both senators very easy to reach by phone and email with minimal effort. Paul Carignan Ashland Good news for Oregon The majority of Oregonians are concerned, and that is great news. The Oregon Legislature must be listening, as evidenced by the 18 climate bills under consideration this session. An Oregon Values Project survey in 2013 found 72 percent of residents agree that “Climate change requires us to change our way of life ...” According to DHM Research in late 2014, 55 percent of Oregonians supported an outright cap on greenhouse gas emissions determined by best science. House Bill 3470, the Climate Stability and Justice Act of Oregon, modeled on California's Cap and Trade AB 32, comes closest to addressing Oregon's responsibility to its inhabitants and the environment. It could also set an example for the rest of the country. HB 3470 and other greenhouse gas emission bills were evaluated by Oregon’s House Committee on Energy and Environment. HB 3470 is now moving to the Committee on Rules. From there it goes to the Committee on Ways and Means. Our opinions matter, so let's keep the ball rolling by encouraging our representatives to strengthen and pass HB 3470. Oregonians have often led the rest of the country regarding the environment, and we in Southern Oregon can encourage this again. Diana O'Farrell Ashland Support fire district Southeast of Ashland on Highway 66, up a series of thrilling curves, cliffs and breathtaking views, lies Greensprings Mountain. It has been defended from wildfire by members of the all-volunteer Green Springs Rural Fire District for the past 10 years. In August 2014, chief Gene Davies and other members of the GSRFD spotted and responded to what became the Oregon Gulch Fire. All year round, GSRFD members respond to medical emergencies, motor vehicle collisions, jack-knifed semis and other incidents as well as being backup help for other fire districts nearby. If you recreate at Hyatt Lake, Howard Prairie Lake or enjoy hiking the nearby PCT, our volunteer firefighters are there to help when needed. Now we need help from the community. We are holding our annual meeting and fundraiser on Saturday, May 16, at the Box R Ranch Great Hall. There will be dinner, dancing and music after the meeting (4-5 p.m., which you can skip if you want). There will be a silent auction throughout the evening, a live auction and a raffle of a lovely quilt made for the firefighters by the local quilters' guild, "Quilters Under the Influence." For further information, to purchase raffle tickets or dinner tickets, go to www.greenspringsmountainfestival.com or call 541-200-8236. Thanks for supporting this nonprofit, volunteer group! Kathleen Manley Ashland/Greensprings Carbon bills heartening It is heartening to see that the Oregon Legislature is considering bills to put a cap on carbon as a way of reducing carbon dioxide and methane. Bills have even been introduced on the national level. In 2014, President Obama urged Congress "to pursue a bipartisan, market-based solution to climate change." A fee-and-dividend solution is appealing to both parties because it is market-based rather than regulatory. As the cost of fossil fuel increases, cleaner forms of energy become more competitive. This will add jobs in the nonpolluting energy sector. Any cost increases at the retail level are compensated for by returning the fees to consumers (the "dividend"). This requires little or no government mechanism, something else conservatives favor. A study by Regional Economic Models Inc. found that an increasing fee would reduce emission from power plants 70 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. This is much better than the coming EPA regulations can do. Congress could make the EPA regulations unnecessary by enacting a carbon fee and dividend. Ken Deveney Ashland DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Apr. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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