Around Oregon and Idaho
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 10:35 AM PDT
Company president sentenced for pension theft
PORTLAND (AP) — A Bend man has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison and ordered to make restitution for illegally withdrawing $269,000 from his employees’ pension plan.
Joel John Morris was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman.
Morris pleaded guilty in May to one count of embezzlement from an employee benefit plan.
From 1998 until 2007, Morris was the owner and president of Jadco Chemical, Ltd., a business located in Portland until it closed in 2007. From 2005 through 2007, the U.S. attorney’s office says Morris made multiple unauthorized withdrawals, essentially depleting the pension fund that was to benefit 12 former employees. Evidence presented at the sentencing hearing showed Morris used most of that money for his personal benefit.
The Pension Benefit Guarantee Corp., a U.S. agency, subsequently assumed trustee duties for the pension plan.
Utility agrees to terms removing Klamath dams
MEDFORD (AP) — The utility that owns four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River has agreed to terms for their removal, a key milestone in efforts to restore what was once the third biggest salmon run on the West Coast and end decades of battles over scarce water.
PacifiCorp, the states of California and Oregon, American Indian tribes, federal agencies, irrigators and conservation groups announced the draft agreement Wednesday. Signing is expected by the end of the year.
Actual removal is not scheduled to start until 2020, and depends on full funding of the removal, a determination by the U.S. Secretary of Interior that it will actually help salmon and is in the public interest, and authorization form Congress.
‘‘This agreement marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Klamath River and for the communities whose health and way of life depend on it,’’ Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a statement. ‘‘Hats off to all the stakeholders who have worked so hard to find common ground on one of the most challenging water issues of our time.’’
PacifiCorp will not bear the estimated $450 million cost of removing the dams. Oregon has approved $180 million in surcharges on state ratepayers. Another $250 million depends on California approving general obligation bonds.
‘‘If the federal government and the states of California and Oregon sign onto this negotiated final settlement, then we will join with them and all the other stakeholder groups that may choose to sign the agreement,’’ PacifiCorp Chairman and CEO Greg Abel said in a statement.
The utility serves 1.6 million customers in Oregon, California, Washington, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming, and is owned by MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co., a unit of Warren Buffett’s Omaha, Neb.-based Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Oregon competes for federal retrofit
dollars
SALEM (AP) — Gov. Ted Kulongoski is optimistic about Oregon’s chances of being chosen to receive up to $100 million in federal dollars to do energy retrofits of homes, businesses and public buildings around the state.
As part of the federal stimulus program, the Obama administration plans to award competitive energy retrofitting grants to at least four states by the end of the year.
Kulongoski believes Oregon is a leading contender, because the state has shown its commitment to green buildings with various state and local incentive programs aimed at helping homeowners and businesses become more energy efficient.
‘‘This is Oregon’s opportunity to showcase nationally our leadership in energy efficiency and livable communities,’’ the Democratic governor said Tuesday.
If Oregon is chosen, the money could help pay for weatherizing thousands of structures and create numerous jobs in the process, said Brian Shipley, who is the state official in charge of overseeing federal stimulus dollars coming into Oregon.
Details of the state’s formal application for the money are still being worked out, Shipley said, but the idea is to offer incentives for weatherizing homes and buildings in large areas — in entire neighborhoods or even cities.
Idaho judge to rule in UI retirees lawsuit
MOSCOW(AP) — A District Court judge will issue a written ruling in a lawsuit a group of 268 retirees filed against the University of Idaho over early retirement benefits. Attorneys for both sides have filed motions asking 2nd District Judge John R. Stegner to rule in the lawsuit and end the case before it goes to trial.
Moscow attorney Ron Landeck is representing the former university employees and filed the lawsuit last year.
Retirees claim the university violated early retirement agreements signed in 1999 and 2002, reneging on a deal not to make them pay health insurance premiums.
