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Oregon's signature solar energy (scam) project built on foundation of false hopes and falsehoods
The Oregonian ^ | February 27, 2015 | Ted Sickinger & Jeff Manning

Posted on 02/28/2015 6:41:13 AM PST by hiho hiho

Dignitaries gathered on a dry Klamath Falls hillside in August 2011 to celebrate the launch of the largest solar power project ever attempted in Oregon.

As then-Gov. John Kitzhaber and others dug their golden shovels into the hard ground, they were adamant that this was not another state-sponsored green energy boondoggle. This $27 million collection of solar arrays would be a boon for the economy as well as the environment.

For nearly $12 million in tax credits, state officials said, taxpayers could expect the project developer to buy local and hire local, creating a virtuous circle of energy savings, reduced greenhouse gases and jobs.


"An economy of innovation is within our reach," Kitzhaber said, rewarding "efficiency rather than excess."

Kitzhaber got the efficiency part right. The solar arrays fired up a year ago, generating even more power than expected at Oregon Institute of Technology and Oregon State University.

But those solar arrays rest on a foundation of falsehoods and false hopes, an investigation by The Oregonian/OregonLive has found.

Interviews and an examination of thousands of pages of documents show that state officials wrongly awarded millions in state tax credits, turning a blind eye to phony documents. The project also was dogged by an international trade war, a bitter corporate rivalry and a stunning twist that traded high-paid Oregon jobs for prison labor at 93 cents an hour.

(Excerpt) Read more at oregonlive.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; US: Oregon
KEYWORDS: energy; kitzhaber; scam; solar
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1 posted on 02/28/2015 6:41:13 AM PST by hiho hiho
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To: hiho hiho

Typical LIB insanity...typical.


2 posted on 02/28/2015 6:43:09 AM PST by hal ogen (First Amendment or Reeducation Camp?)
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To: hiho hiho
Kitzhaber and the other criminal politicians who pushed this boondoggle deserve prison time.

It looks like Kitzhaber may soon be on his way to the big house.

3 posted on 02/28/2015 6:47:29 AM PST by PROCON (Always Give 100% --- Unles you're donating blood.)
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To: hal ogen
Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Michigan (yes solar in Michigan) LOL

With Ann Arbor airport solar plans stalled, Ypsilanti re-pitches DTE for array near I-94

"Located on a highly visible site that is problematic to develop, Ypsilanti would be on its way to becoming a 'Solar City.'"

Snicker
4 posted on 02/28/2015 6:50:00 AM PST by cripplecreek ("For by wise guidance you can wage your war")
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To: PROCON

Their intentions are fine and noble. Just trying to emulate the success of the Alaskan-way Viaduct in Seattle with Bertha.


5 posted on 02/28/2015 6:50:55 AM PST by C210N (When people fear government there is tyranny; when government fears people there is liberty)
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To: hiho hiho

In the Private Sector, EVERY LAST PERSON involved would be rotting in a Jail Cell awaiting trial for Fraud that carries a LIFE SENTENCE and 100% Civil Asset Forfeiture.

WHY ISN”T THAT HAPPENING?

They All deserve to swing!


6 posted on 02/28/2015 6:51:23 AM PST by eyeamok
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To: hiho hiho; goodnesswins; PROCON; Twotone; VeryFRank; Clinging Bitterly; Rio; aimhigh; Hieronymus; ..

If you would like more information about what's happening in Oregon, please FReepmail me.

I lost my Oregon list when my computer crashed last year, so please send me your name by FReepmail if you want to be on this list.

7 posted on 02/28/2015 6:56:08 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: hiho hiho

This is why the Oregon dems wanted kitzhaber to resign.....they fear revelations of all the dems chicanery in this state...and hopefully we will see the citizens finally say enough...I can hope


8 posted on 02/28/2015 7:13:00 AM PST by goodnesswins (I think we've reached PEAK TYRANNY now.....)
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To: hiho hiho
This is just more radical environmental liberalism on a state-scale. Solyndra Part Deux. Just one more in a long line of failed liberal ideas because they think success is their warm, fuzzy intentions, not real world results.

I lived in Oregon for four years in the late 70's, early 80's. They were making it difficult for businesses from coming into the state to set-up shop and create jobs because the environmentalists argued that these "big corporations" would just pave over their lush, green state in asphalt. The town I lived in had 50% unemployment, 30% of the stores were shuttered, most of the properties were in foreclosure. Most of it from Jiminy Cricket Carter's 20% interest rates that killed the housing industry and in turn the lumber and timber industries that southwestern Oregon depended on for their economic well-being. But would they diversify their economic base with other type businesses? Not for a long time. Eventually they figured out, that without some planned development and the jobs that came with it, they would be in financial bankruptcy. Bunch of liberal light heads.

I eventually escaped to Arizona before I went bankrupt myself and never looked back. Arizona was booming and I stayed there for 30 years.

9 posted on 02/28/2015 7:17:39 AM PST by HotHunt
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To: C210N
Just trying to emulate the success of the Alaskan-way Viaduct in Seattle with Bertha.

Don't get me started on Bertha; when the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement issue was up for discussion, 3 alternative replacements were brought up.

Despite public input to the contrary, the Seattle city planners chose the Bertha method.

And now where is Bertha? Stuck and damaged underground.

Another multi-million boondoggle by the liberal elites.

10 posted on 02/28/2015 7:21:56 AM PST by PROCON (Always Give 100% --- Unles you're donating blood.)
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To: PROCON
It looks like Kitzhaber may soon be on his way to the big house

Prosecuted by whom???

11 posted on 02/28/2015 7:35:01 AM PST by logi_cal869 (-cynicus-)
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To: hiho hiho
Also, here's the problem with solar power panels in Oregon: the western half of the state rains a lot throughout the year. As such, solar power is not as effective, unlike California, where much of the state has some of the best solar power conditions in the world.

Sacramento, where I live, has enough solar days to justify the US$10,000 needed for a solar panel array to power a house.

12 posted on 02/28/2015 7:40:46 AM PST by RayChuang88 (FairTax: America's economic cure)
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To: goodnesswins

If you think that is corrupt, take a look at Light Rail and Tri Met. Talk about fraud and sweetheart deals.

Pray America is waking


13 posted on 02/28/2015 7:43:37 AM PST by bray (Palin/Cruz to the WH)
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To: hiho hiho

Oregon gets a lot of sun, does it? I did not know that.


14 posted on 02/28/2015 7:44:28 AM PST by Steely Tom (Vote GOP for A Slower Handbasket)
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To: bray

Oh yeah... I know....I’m just praying it begins to break the Dem stronghold on the state


15 posted on 02/28/2015 7:49:51 AM PST by goodnesswins (I think we've reached PEAK TYRANNY now.....)
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To: eyeamok

Lock them all up and make them generate power using bicycle powered generators till they croak. Then burn bodies in furnace for steam power.

Probably better efficiency overall than solar/wind.


16 posted on 02/28/2015 7:50:16 AM PST by Scrambler Bob (Bo: capitalized is the dog.)
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To: Steely Tom

Parts of it....the generally conservative parts


17 posted on 02/28/2015 7:50:38 AM PST by goodnesswins (I think we've reached PEAK TYRANNY now.....)
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To: Steely Tom
Solar Plants near Corvallis and Klamath falls

average solar energy available

18 posted on 02/28/2015 8:07:11 AM PST by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
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To: PROCON

Local paper took a pole and found 65% said Kitzhaber should not have quit office.

I see dead people, and some of them they don’t know they are dead.

Either that or they are pod people.


19 posted on 02/28/2015 8:07:44 AM PST by Cold Heart
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To: thackney

Wow! Thanks thack-man.


20 posted on 02/28/2015 8:15:16 AM PST by Steely Tom (Vote GOP for A Slower Handbasket)
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