February 9, 2010

Troutdale city Council:

What do Martin Luther King, Jr, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln have in
common? They were all born on holidays.

My point is that courage, integrity, principled action, determination… these are not
traits we are born into, they are decisions we make as we go along.

I read the Mayor’s application for Wind Energy. I had one reaction. I loved it. On a
journey, the past doesn’t matter as much as the current position and direction. The
Mayor’s application gave me hope and a feeling that these difficult times are bringing
out ever-stronger strivings for the people.

I love the people of Troutdale, this is a beautiful city in every way. You are largely to
thank for that. I support whatever the city needs to weather the current problems. This
means that I support Mayor Kight, because he is the City, today. Division in the council
doesn’t serve the people, so I urge a unified heart between you all. I believe that every
person on this council has got gifts they want to bring to the table, and that Troutdale
couldn’t need them more than right now. Councilor Hartmann has decided to make
energy a focus, and this serves a constituency that needs him. But there are causes
enough to go around. Without attempts, there are no solutions. Even a failure is a
success for the attempt, and will likely produce better results the next time around.

Councilor Hartmann has proposed to address a problem that is so divisive in America

today, the mere mention of the topic divides us before we ever put solutions on the
chalk board. Liberals want revenge on the fossil energy systems- for pollution, for
abuses, for asserting monopolies. Conservatives want energy’s fossil systems
recognized for the fact that their contributions underwrite our entire way of life, but
ignore the implications that taxation in their favor encourages ever-more investment
only into their projects without diversification. These two factions hardly talk to each
other to find any common ground, and in fact don’t even speak the same language,
sometimes. We are discussing today a simple, defendable, middle ground that both
sides can find hope in: equal federal taxation and financing.

What is the problem? (show chart based on legal

study 2002-2008)

Dollar for dollar, these are the benefits of fossil over

renewable energy. Any money manager must make a
fiduciary decision upon the better tax treatment of
fossils. We need BTU Parity as an equalizer so that decisions can be made instead on a
level playing field.

Why is this a Working Solution? Because energy is energy. It shouldn’t be taxed any
differently because of source. Note that this is not an anti-fossil position. It is an
American tenet--- in fact we fought a war over it---- called equal taxation. Equal
financing means that the federal agencies should approve applications on equal basis- a
BTU is a BTU and an energy conversion rate is just that. The calculation either supports
financing or it does not. This is a tenet of our American Equal Rights Movement called
“equal treatment.”

I am hear to support this endorsement today because I think it has merit. I believe
Councilor Hartmann should be allowed and encouraged to attempt his solution as
stated.

I would like to also express that I am pleased to support any councilor that might try to
find a solution needed by constituents. Without “try-ers,” the problems just persist, and
the people are not represented.

We elect you to try solutions, to be creative, to figure it out. We give you permission
and in fact charge you with the duty to try. It does take courage. I see that. I know we
place a large burden upon you without giving much back. When a solution works, we
all win.

I am here to thank you all for your service,

Marni Zollinger