PORTLAND, Ore. - A vote may come this week on the sixth Northwest Power Plan, the document that will set the energy agenda for the four Northwest states over the next 20 years. Drafted by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, its provisions identify major targets for greater energy efficiency and recommend less use of coal-fired power - policies that please conservation groups like the Sierra Club.



The Northwest Power and Conservation Council is made up of two representatives from each state: Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The council drafts a new plan every five years. This one already is receiving praise for creating targets for energy savings instead of for generating more electricity - and for raising the possibility that coal-generated power could be phased out of the region over the next 10 years.

Aberdeen, WA - The Grays Harbor County Public Health and Social Services Department has announced four public clinics where people in the priority groups established by the Centers for Disease Control can receive their H1N1 (swine) flu vaccination free of charge.

The priority groups include people over the age of 25 who have chronic heart, lung, immune, or metabolic conditions (including diabetes), as well as pregnant women, people caring for babies under the age of 6 months, all people aged 6 months through 24 years, and healthcare workers.

“These clinics are made available for people who don’t have a regular health care provider or are unable to pay an administration fee,” said Joan Brewster, the Public Health Director. “We are also getting vaccine to over 30 local medical clinics, so people in these groups should be able to get vaccine from their provider.”

School children who missed the clinic at their school may also wish to get their vaccination at these community clinics.

SEATTLE - It may be the Copenhagen climate summit of the Pacific Northwest. Today (Friday), business leaders from Washington and Oregon have been invited by the White House, to let top government policymakers know exactly what they will need in order to jumpstart more clean energy and green jobs efforts in the region.



The "Clean Energy Economy Forum" is being held at McKinstry Industries in Seattle, a company known for green building design and development of energy efficiency technology. McKinstry CEO Dean Allen says other companies would be making similar strides - except they've been waiting for clear state and federal initiatives and guidelines.