THE LAW IN VANCOUVER, B.C.

A year ago the coppers were full of excuses why they had to waste gas.  Monday, the copper’s spokesmouth took the high road and proclaimed the department would endeavor to follow the new ANTI IDLE POLICY we posted last week.

Generally speaking the policy says shut off the engine unless it is needed for emergency lights, etc.  It applies to all of the city’s 1,000 plus vehicles and comes from the new motorpool Czar, Craig Croner.  He says

 the “break even time” for shutdowns is 30 seconds.

Seems like that policy would be good for all of us who use the drive up bank teller windows and dozens of other “stops.”  Good on the city for taking the lead in the effort–even if it took a year.

BY “JAMES BOND”

Thought you might be interested to know that today’s announcement by Sorrento
Lactalis about an expansion of their cheese factory includes one rather interesting
item not mentioned in the daily paper:  They will be asking to build a 17 story
drying tower.  They have said this through their attorney in city council hearings
in Nampa. 

Their attorney said the 17-story would be noisy, emit odors, and be
visible from a distance.  They are in the county, but  are apparently
“negotiating” with Nampa for annexation into the city.  The residential areas to the
north and east of them, where the prevailing winds blow, should just love that!

EDITOR NOTE:  First it was the aroma of FRENCH fries (pommes frite) in Caldwell, then the foul mash from the sugar beets.  FRENCH cheese odors mixing with auto exhaust fumes and forest fire smoke should smell like Smoked Cheese.

Ghost town of unfinished luxury development at Tamarack.

Bankrupt developers, property liens, misrepresented sales, a $250,000,000 loan default, and multiple lawsuits are all elements in a proposed bailout of Tamarack Resort in Valley County.

A bankrupt Mexican and Frenchman are seeking a bailout with assistance from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) in the form of a $670,000,000 bond sale to “institutional investors” like pension funds–such as those operated on behalf of unions and the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI).

The IHFA stands to make about $3.5 million in fees if the deal is consummated with their help. A spokesman for the IHFA told the GUARDIAN the fees would go toward “affordable housing” in the area of the luxury resort and subdivision. Other sources tell us Tamarack is the big owner of those properties as well.

The Tamarack publicity machine runs overtime, attracting financial giants like President G.W. Bush and the former Idaho Guv–who once stiffed his barber with a bad check– Dirk Kempthorne. Dirk went on to be Interior Secretary. G.W. currently ranks as the most “ disapproved president in history and Tamarack is after the hard earned retirement money of worker bees and pension funds so the rich will have a playground and multi million dollar vacation homes.

The potential for financial disaster with this scheme ranks right up there with Enron, and all the recent sub prime lending and resulting scandals that has brought the national economy to its knees.

The Idaho Housing and Finance Association claims to be a “quasi government private corporation.”

That means they were created by the legislature, the board is appointed by the governor, but there is no state control of their lending. They have a monopoly on selling the bonds sought by Tamarack, but adamantly state NO STATE FUNDS are used or obligated.

The GUARDIAN submitted a series of questions to IHFA. Their written responses follow:

1) Tamarack approached the Association in partnership with the US Department of Commerce to pursue a privately placed conduit financing. There are certain large institutional investors, primarily pension funds, that will not make direct real estate loans but will invest through a conduit financing structure. These financing structures offer an investor a Trustee Bank, such as Bank of N.Y., to oversee financial matters relating to the investment. The Association is the only authorized entity in the state that can issue bonds under this type of economic development financing structure. Traditional banking entities could offer direct loans for Tamarack, but cannot facilitate access to certain of these large institutional investors.

2) The Association will not invest any funds toward this transaction, nor will it provide any credit enhancement or place any assets at risk. If Tamarack is successful in finding an investor(s), all funding will be provided by the applicable investor. Any bonds issued will be done on a private basis and not offered in the open market to any unsuspecting investors. Only highly sophisticated institutional investors are qualified and will conduct their own due diligence in determining the propriety of such an investment. Tamarack is responsible for identifying and negotiating a successful outcome with any prospective investor. There would be no guarantees on the bonds – the investor’s recourse in the event of a default is to foreclose on the underlying loan or pursue other security or personal guarantees offered by Tamarack in their negotiated terms and conditions with the investor.

3) The Association’s Board of Commissioners considered Tamarack’s application for this financing at their July 25, 2008 Board meeting. It was determined that the application met all Statutory and Association policy provisions. A significant report on Tamarack’s economic impact to Valley County and the State overall was presented to the Board. It was also confirmed to the Board that the proposed financing would pay off all outstanding debts owed to contractors and others connected with Tamarack. The Board passed an initial or inducement resolution for the financing. This allows the Association to move forward with public hearings for the purpose of determining whether a “public purpose”

will be served by this financing. Additionally, Tamarack must find an investor, and then acceptable terms and conditions must be negotiated with both Tamarack and an investor. The bond financing is not yet approved. There will need to be additional action by the Board, assuming the transaction comes together acceptably. We are aware that Tamarack is pursuing other debt restructuring alternatives.

4) After making inquiry to staff members involved with this transaction, we are unaware of any inquiries, phone calls, e-mails, or other communications by political figures to either support or object to the Tamarack financing application. Our expectation is that we will hear from various community and elected officials during the comment/public hearing phase of the financing approval process.

We cannot understand why an outfit that claims it is not a public agency would hold public hearings, but not much makes sense with this story.

Comments on the post, POLICE PROWLERS GUZZLE GAS prompted a flurry of defenses for the idle arguments.

Fewer Idle Cop Cars

Top Cop Mike Masterson was not happy to hear cars were parked and left running with the doors locked–all it takes is a whack on the window for access to guns, computers, radios, and the car itself.

Fast forward a year later and the city has hired a “Fleet Services Manager” in the person of Craig Croner whose job it is to save gas, negotiate vehicle purchases, and keep every car and truck in the city running safely.

Croner assembled a committee of “users” from all the city departments and came up with a proposed energy and fuel policy with regard to idling vehicles. He says the “break even point” is a mere 30 seconds. Longer than that and it is better to turn off the engine. It seems like a rational policy to us.

Take a look for yourself.

Anti Idling Policy:

I. INTRODUCTION
Vehicle idling gets zero miles per gallon; unnecessary idling wastes fuel and pollutes. Running an engine at low speed (idling) also causes additional wear on internal parts compared to driving at regular speeds. The break-even point for shutting off and restarting gasoline engines or leaving it to idle is 30 seconds – from the point of view of both emissions and fuel consumption. This restriction does not apply to congested traffic, city driving or traffic controls.

Air quality is a critical issue in our area. One of the leading sources of air pollutants of concern is from vehicle tailpipe exhaust. The City of Boise needs to be a leader in reducing sources of these air pollutants. Additionally, the rising cost of fuel makes it imperative that the City of Boise focus on fuel efficiency and cease vehicle idling when not warranted by the situation.

Effective immediately, unless exempted in the following section, no City vehicle or piece of equipment is to be idled in a non-emergency situation. The operator of the vehicle/equipment is to turn-off the unit and the keys are to be removed from the ignition.

II. EXEMPTIONS
The following situations will allow idling, as needed:
A. Emergency vehicles at scenes where lights, Power Take Offs, and/or other accessories are needed to accomplish the mission;
B. Police vehicles working traffic enforcement details;
C. Department of Public Works, Department of Parks and Recreation and Boise Airport vehicles at job sites requiring the use of emergency lights, Power Take Offs, and/or other accessories to accomplish their assignment. Planning and Development, PDS Inspector - 2005 or older and non-hybrid vehicles only, while performing inspections.
D. Inclement weather situations and the supervisor authorizes the use of the vehicle/equipment heater-defroster for the work crew’s comfort according to the guidelines listed below;

1. If the outside temperature is: Above 32 degrees F: 5 minute maximum
2. Between -10 and 32 degrees F; 15 minute maximum
3. Below -10 degrees F: as necessary

NOTE: Operators of vehicle/equipment and supervisors will be judicious in the idling of units at emergency scenes and job sites. If not all the units at the scene/site need to be idling, those units must be turned-off and the keys removed from the ignition. Each vehicle/equipment operator will be responsible for the idling operation of their unit and will have the unit keys in their possession to ensure that crewmembers do not arbitrarily violate the policy without the operator’s knowledge.

Supervisors in each department/division will be responsible for the adherence and enforcement of the idling policy. Violations of the policy will be documented as to the vehicle/equipment operator, vehicle class code, location, date and time, weather conditions, and circumstances of the violation.

The vehicle/equipment operator will be informed of the violation by the supervisor at the time of the infraction.

Department Heads will be responsible to ensure this standard of conduct in the use of City vehicles and equipment. Employees have the responsibility to abide by this regulation, violation of which can subject them to progressive disciplinary action.

Controversy and lobbying over electricity goes back to the days of Edison and Westinghouse as they vied for acceptance of “their” methods of generation and transmission. The laws of regulators often conflict with the laws of physics and common sense.

During these dog days of summer with plenty of sun it is easy to sit back and declare “solar power is the answer.” It can certainly play a role in energy production, but it is not the ANSWER.

When we drive around the country and see huge windmill farms–or just rows of them here in Idaho–we notice for the most part they are not spinning. That causes cries of, “What a waste of resources.”

Then there is nuke power–potentially an economic savior for the USA energy needs–safe if properly monitored and proper disposal of waste can be mastered.

In the West the old standby of course is hydropower and there are folks who want to do away with the dams.

With vast reserves of coal and natural gas, these “fossil fuels” are also popular to create heat to boil water that makes steam pressure to spin a generating turbine.

Lest we forget, our corn crops have doubled in value as political pressure has mounted to inject 10% of each gallon of gas with ethanol. The likes of ADM and a few other agribusinesses benefit, but at the expense of anyone who eats anything with corn syrup, eggs, chicken, pork, milk, beef or a host of other foods. Corn is king and when it is fermented to make alcohol we all suffer.

Finally, there are vast geothermal resources scattered around the west, but they are expensive to tap and the technology is not the best at present.

At the risk of a bad pun, the GUARDIAN will try to “shed some light” on the subject while offering a forum for all concerned. We will offer anecdotal evidence from decades of personally covering the subject for the likes of the NEW YORK TIMES, TIME, and NEWSWEEK.

Here in Idaho we are blessed with plenty of wind, sun, hot water, rushing rivers, and home to the first place on earth to harness nuke power for electricity. Problem is, most of us are hooked to power lines owned and operated by a utility monopoly–usually Idaho Power.

Politicos require the monopoly to have enough generating capacity to provide juice during “peak load” to those of us who flip switches and heat water. Those same politicos tell them to buy electricity from just about anyone who can make volts on their own.

That is like telling Ford to make enough cars for everyone in the USA, but they have to buy from Toyota and GM if they happen to have more than they can sell. It is insanity!…and not good business for the monopoly. As a result, the monopoly negotiates “maximum rates” of production they are forced to purchase from the so-called “little guys.”

It really gets complicated when the big guys get in to the business of owning a batch of “little guys” and buying and selling to themselves–regardless of the generating source.

Toss in the greenies who hate/fear nuke, those who want to breach the dams, the local politicos who ENCOURAGE growth for the sake of “jobs,” and you have a situation that is nearly insurmountable.

ALL of the energy sources have their place, but until we do away with subsidies and lobbyists, the world will be in a quandary. The problem is HUMAN, not TECHNICAL. Sadly, the only we we can see it working is to have a single power provider owning all the energy sources–like a national energy authority. Many cities and counties have co-ops or boards that run utilities.

When the profit motive is in the equation, most of us seem to come up with negative numbers.

I am the president of United Street Rods of Idaho, a lobbying organization for Idaho auto hobbyists. We were concerned about being forced to use a fuel in our prized and expensive classic and collector cars. It is well known that ethanol causes major problems in older cars.

As we continued to watchdog the corn cheerleaders and research the topic, more glaring truths about ethanol emerged.

E10 and E85 (85% ethanol) provide diminished gas mileage. Ethanol contains 66% of the BTU’s (energy) of gasoline. Therefore, a 10% solution of ethanol has 3.4% less energy than gas. An 85% blend (E85) has 25% less energy. A vehicle getting 20 mpg on gas will get 19.3 on E10 and 15 mpg on E85. So much for proper tire inflation, regular tune-ups, etc. The

AAA reports actual costs for E85 adjusted for reduced mileage: http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/
The second issue is the rapid movement to E10 by Valley retailers. In the last three weeks, Jackson Foods, Albertson’s, and Fred Meyer have joined Stinker Stations in serving only E10. Soon to join are Flying J stations.
Behind the environmental and “the government made me do it” claims lies the economic truth.

These retailers are saving 11 cents per gallon by diluting their gas with cheaper ethanol. Are they passing these savings on to customers? Not one of these retailers has reduced their prices since beginning sales of “watered down” gas.

Other incentives are driving them to E10. As taxpayers you will be happy to know that The Biofuel Fueling Infrastructure Tax Credit passed by the 2006 Idaho Legislature gives them a tax break for preparing their stores to sell us watered down fuel.

If that wasn’t enough incentive, the Idaho Department of Water Resources Energy Division has $2.3 million in grant money to assist them in preparations to gouge us at the pump.

No one seems to be looking out for the Consumer. The Attorney General isn’t interested. Where is Jim Jones when we need him?

EDITOR addendum—
The price of everything from tortillas to eggs, dairy products, and meat is tied to the price of CORN. Just because it is POSSIBLE to make fuel from corn doesn’t make it a WISE decision. Mr. Goodnight has hit on one of the most important issues facing America and perhaps the world today.

The GUARDIAN learns something new every day…and tries to share it with you.

Mrs. Guardian went to the curb recently while the Recycle Guy was searching the Daily Paper throw aways for coupons.

“Any way we can get a new bin since this one is all busted up?” she asked.

“Just happen to have a spare,” says Recycle Guy with a friendly smile.

“Great! You can have the old recycle bin,” says Mrs. Guardian.

“Sorry, that has to go in the regular trash,” says Recycle Guy who then stomped on the old bin to smash it in half for ease of handling.

Sort of ironic we thought.

Our ranking comes mostly from the use of hydro electric power generation rather than any greenie good things. While we have almost no public transit to speak of, Washington, D.C. has a world class Metro subway and train system– and they came in #100 on the Brookings Institute survey.

No doubt this orchestrated press release and survey will be fodder for all sorts of planning, grant applications, political bragging, and justification for and against everything from bike paths to light rail.

The GUARDIAN is out of town and unable cut and paste the lists, so please feel free to comment based on the mainstream media reports–links can be found at the right.

Dear Mr. Guardian: