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PubliCola was off and running. In June 2009, PubliCola hired another award-winning journalist, super-sourced Seattle city hall reporter Erica C. Barnett.

People were afraid that blogging would change journalism. Instead, we believe journalism can change blogging. Twenty-first century journalism may look and feel different, and yes Erica isn't afraid to get cranky, but we're committed to making sure online news still delivers independent, reliable, even-keeled coverage. And most of all, we're committed to making sure the coverage sparks honest civic debate.

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The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Rep. Baird Says He Won't Support House Climate Bill

News   May 4, 2009 at 3:00 pm Chris Kissel

brian-baird

Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA, 3) reportedly said he won’t support the comprehensive House energy bill currently being debated in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Baird’s chief concern: The bill explicitly bans the use of “biomass energy”—energy derived from timber waste products like pulp and wood residue, a practice Baird has pushed hard for recently.

Rep. Baird is part of a group of Congressmembers from the area, including Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR, 2) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR, 4) pushing Congress to consider using forest biomass as an alternative to lower reliance on coal plants. Advocates also say using timber biomass would create jobs in depressed logging communities and clear deceased forests.

Opponents, which seems to mean Al Gore, argue that Rep. Baird’s approach could lead to further deforestation. Also, some types of forest biomass like “black liquor” or “pulping liquor” are treated with chemicals that concern environmentalists.

Baird chaired a House Science and Technology Committee field briefing at the end of the Easter Congressional recess to make the case for timber biomass. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA,1) also took part in the meeting, and, according to Baird’s office, came out talking positively about forest biomass in new climate legislation.

Rep. Inslee, a big supporter of alternative sources of energy, was a prime advocate of initiative I-937, which allowed wood waste to count as an alternative energy source, although it drew the line on the chemically treated pulping products.

Still, the comprehensive bill bans the use of timber biomass—something Rep. Baird probably can’t change yet, since he isn’t on the Committee that’s debating the bill. Inslee, however, is, but it’s unclear if he’s willing to take up Baird’s case. 

The comprehensive climate bill contains three proposals from Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA,1), one of which is a cap-and-trade scheme Baird also opposes—he prefers a carbon tax. No word from Baird’s office as of this afternoon on whether Baird intends to pursue his own legislation on these issues.

Neither Inslee nor Baird’s offices got back to me this morning.


  • http://bryanbissell.blogspot.com/ BTB

    “Biomass” plant set to open in rural Clark County http://www.thereflector.com/PAGES/STORIES/Old%20Stories/2009/04-29-09.html

  • http://bryanbissell.blogspot.com/ BTB

    “Biomass” plant set to open in rural Clark County http://www.thereflector.com/PAGES/STORIES/Old%20Stories/2009/04-29-09.html

  • http://bryanbissell.blogspot.com BTB

    “Biomass” plant set to open in rural Clark County http://www.thereflector.com/PAGES/STORIES/Old%20Stories/2009/04-29-09.html

  • Michael

    There should be a way to use biomass but:

    The feedstock needs to grown and harvested in a sustainable and carbon neutral manner.

    Legislation shouldn’t be used as a “back door” to allow older, inefficient, polluting Kraft Process paper mills to keep from upgrading.

    I’d look into if Baird’s no vote has to do with the paper plant in Longview.

  • Michael

    There should be a way to use biomass but:

    The feedstock needs to grown and harvested in a sustainable and carbon neutral manner.

    Legislation shouldn’t be used as a “back door” to allow older, inefficient, polluting Kraft Process paper mills to keep from upgrading.

    I’d look into if Baird’s no vote has to do with the paper plant in Longview.

  • Michael

    There should be a way to use biomass but:

    The feedstock needs to grown and harvested in a sustainable and carbon neutral manner.

    Legislation shouldn’t be used as a “back door” to allow older, inefficient, polluting Kraft Process paper mills to keep from upgrading.

    I’d look into if Baird’s no vote has to do with the paper plant in Longview.

  • max jacobowitz
  • max jacobowitz
  • max jacobowitz
  • Ron

    “Still, the comprehensive bill bans the use of timber biomass—something Rep. Baird probably can’t change yet, since he isn’t on the Committee that’s debating the bill. Inslee, however, is, but it’s unclear if he’s willing to take up Baird’s case. ”

    Inslee stick his neck out? Not likely.

  • Ron

    “Still, the comprehensive bill bans the use of timber biomass—something Rep. Baird probably can’t change yet, since he isn’t on the Committee that’s debating the bill. Inslee, however, is, but it’s unclear if he’s willing to take up Baird’s case. ”

    Inslee stick his neck out? Not likely.

  • Ron

    “Still, the comprehensive bill bans the use of timber biomass—something Rep. Baird probably can’t change yet, since he isn’t on the Committee that’s debating the bill. Inslee, however, is, but it’s unclear if he’s willing to take up Baird’s case. ”

    Inslee stick his neck out? Not likely.

  • http://publicola.net/ Josh Feit

    Max,

    I was definitely against the light rail project in 2000. Two main reasons: I was wary of billions in cost overruns and I supported a competing mass transit project, the monorail.

    I was right about the cost overruns on light rail. The project had to be completely overhauled.

    And when the monorail went down in flames (unlike ST, the monorail agency wasn’t able to recover from its cost overruns), I threw my support to the remaining mass transit option, light rail.

    I became an ardent supporter of light rail—especially for environmental reasons. I editorialized against the roads and transit initiative in 2007, arguing (correctly, it turned out) that light rail should come back on its own in 2008.

    http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=115441

    http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/my_dream_ticket_obamasound_transit_08

    After I left the Stranger in 2008 and before I started PubliCola, I was one of about 5 staffers on the light rail ballot initiative.

  • http://publicola.net/ Josh Feit

    Max,

    I was definitely against the light rail project in 2000. Two main reasons: I was wary of billions in cost overruns and I supported a competing mass transit project, the monorail.

    I was right about the cost overruns on light rail. The project had to be completely overhauled.

    And when the monorail went down in flames (unlike ST, the monorail agency wasn’t able to recover from its cost overruns), I threw my support to the remaining mass transit option, light rail.

    I became an ardent supporter of light rail—especially for environmental reasons. I editorialized against the roads and transit initiative in 2007, arguing (correctly, it turned out) that light rail should come back on its own in 2008.

    http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=115441

    http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/my_dream_ticket_obamasound_transit_08

    After I left the Stranger in 2008 and before I started PubliCola, I was one of about 5 staffers on the light rail ballot initiative.

  • http://publicola.net/ Josh Feit

    Max,

    I was definitely against the light rail project in 2000. Two main reasons: I was wary of billions in cost overruns and I supported a competing mass transit project, the monorail.

    I was right about the cost overruns on light rail. The project had to be completely overhauled.

    And when the monorail went down in flames (unlike ST, the monorail agency wasn’t able to recover from its cost overruns), I threw my support to the remaining mass transit option, light rail.

    I became an ardent supporter of light rail—especially for environmental reasons. I editorialized against the roads and transit initiative in 2007, arguing (correctly, it turned out) that light rail should come back on its own in 2008.

    http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=115441

    http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/my_dream_ticket_obamasound_transit_08

    After I left the Stranger in 2008 and before I started PubliCola, I was one of about 5 staffers on the light rail ballot initiative.

  • aff

    with “supporters” like these, the bill will die. i’m not sure baird gets to call himself an enviro anymore…it seems like a republican being “for” health care reform, but only if the entire insurance lobby is taken care of and we don’t raise any taxes to pay for it ever. that’s not actually being for it.

    correct me if i am wrong and biomass is an absolute no compromise position for cap and trade…

  • aff

    with “supporters” like these, the bill will die. i’m not sure baird gets to call himself an enviro anymore…it seems like a republican being “for” health care reform, but only if the entire insurance lobby is taken care of and we don’t raise any taxes to pay for it ever. that’s not actually being for it.

    correct me if i am wrong and biomass is an absolute no compromise position for cap and trade…