News Digest
Sunday, August 3, 2008 12:11 AM PDT
OREGON
Finavera has no plans for second wave energy buoy
NEWPORT (AP) — A Canadian energy company says it has no plans to try floating a second experimental buoy to test the potential for generating energy from ocean waves off the Oregon coast. Finavera Renewables installed a $2 million test buoy off the coast at Newport only to have the 35-ton contraption malfunction, leak and sink. See story page A9.
Proposed Oregon
abortion rule stirs alarm
PORTLAND (AP) — For Oregon’s small, hardy band of abortion rights activists, the 2007 Legislature’s decision to require Oregon hospitals to inform rape victims about emergency contraception and dispense the ‘‘morning after’’ pill if requested was a hard-fought victory, a long time coming. Now, though, they believe the new law is in jeopardy, thanks to a draft federal regulation being circulated at the U.S. Health and Human Services Department. See story page A9.
IDAHO
Auditors recommend improvements to SPI’s records
BOISE (AP) — State auditors recommended Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna bolster his agency’s efforts to track some money after scrutiny of finances turned up shortcomings that could have brought federal sanctions. Legislative Services auditors wrote the agency failed to properly document $766,012 in wages charged to a Special Education Grant; didn’t properly post $4.9 million in interest to an education reserve fund; and didn’t properly secure some teacher data.
Chester Dam project wins FERC license
ASHTON (AP) — Federal regulators have licensed a project to add hydropower turbines to the 70-year-old Chester Dam on the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, a move expected to produce enough electricity to light about 2,000 homes. The $13 million, two-turbine project is being built by Boise-based Symbiotics LLC and has won support from conservation groups who say it will benefit trout populations in this sport fishing area.
Brent Smith, chief operating officer for Symbiotics, said the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license ‘‘clears the path for us to complete the design work and start construction.’’
