In need of funds, proponents of a nuclear project ask Washington utilities to chip in
Discussions surrounding potential nuclear projects are making the rounds in Washington as the state works to completely phase out carbon-emitting energy resources, and now talks have landed in Clark County. Energy Northwest invited Clark Public Utilities to participate in a feasibility study on its proposed small nuclear reactor development in Richland. The agency is considering creating four to 12 modular reactors, projected to generate 320 to 960 megawatts of power — less than its existing Columbia Generating Station, which has a capacity of 1,200 megawatts. During a Clark Public Utilities Board of Commissioners meeting in May, Energy Northwest representatives sought $200,000 of ratepayer funds for the study, which is projected to cost $4 million. The body did not approve the request, as its three-member vote was split. By contributing, the utility would receive information obtained through the study, as well as gain priority status in the facility’s future power sale agreements, should it be built. (Lauren Ellenbecker/The Columbian)
Oregon farmers may get relief on water rights if they forego irrigation during a drought
Oregon lawmakers recently approved legislation to protect farmers’ water rights if they forego using irrigation during drought conditions. Farmers now have to use water rights at least once every five years to avoid losing them, an implied incentive to apply scarce water to fields to avoid forfeiture, said April Snell, executive director of the Oregon Water Resources Congress, which represents irrigation districts. “The system is in essence encouraging people to use the water when the water could be better used elsewhere or if it’s not necessarily enough to grow a whole crop,” Snell said. Some groups do oppose the bill, though, saying it isn’t limited just to water rights holders impacted by drought. The bill now awaits Gov. Tina Kotek’s signature. (Mateusz Perkowski/Capital Press)
Police identify 2 students involved in South Eugene High threats
Eugene police say they have identified two South Eugene High School students involved in the four threats last month that resulted in evacuations and lockdowns. Each of the four calls followed a similar pattern, calling into Central Lane 911 and saying that there was a bomb at the high school. Each of the four threats of violence prompted officials to evacuate students or perform a lockdown, with classes being canceled for the day after the first two incidents. After a police search, no bomb or other danger was found after any of the threats. According to police, investigators believe the two students used the internet to pay another person or entity to use threats of violence to shut down the school. The identity of the person paid is still under investigation. Police say the students and their families are cooperating with the investigation by police and the FBI. (Miranda Cyr/Eugene Register-Guard)
Remote detection systems for wildfires expanding in northeastern Oregon
In an effort to catch wildfires in their early stages, the Oregon Department of Forestry plans to soon install three remote-controlled cameras on mountains in northeastern Oregon. The installation will bring the total number of cameras to nine in Union, Wallowa, Baker and Umatilla counties. Officials say the remote detection stations, first installed in 2021, allow ODF and Forest Service employees to potentially see smoke from fires that aren’t visible otherwise. “They are like unmanned lookout towers,” Cody Kingsbury, a forest officer for the ODF, said of the cameras. (Dick Mason/La Grande Observer)
An enhanced image of Kyron Horman shows what he might look like now at age 20. Horman went missing June 4, 2010, and was last seen attending a science fair at Skyline Elementary in Portland.
Courtesy of National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
The search for Kyron Horman continues 13 years later
Sunday marks the 13th anniversary of the disappearance of Kyron Horman, who was last seen attending a school science fair on June 4, 2010, at Skyline Elementary School in Portland. At the time, Horman was 7 years old. The case remains open as investigators use advances in software, digital forensics and geospatial technology to try to find Horman. To help efforts, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has provided an age-progressed photo of Horman. There is a $50,000 reward for information leading to the resolution of the case. Tips can be submitted by calling the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 503-988-0560 or emailing MCSOTipLine@mcso.us, or the NCMEC tip line at 800-THE-LOST. (OPB Staff)