5:08PM-Monday-11/20/2023: Discussion on the Questionable Actions of Senator David Brock Smith Republican District 1 LIVE on KWRO
Always Question Authority
At the bottom of this post is a place for public comment. Please feel free to give an opinion, or add content, links, or any missing material.
The US Bureau of Energy Ocean Management (BOEM) is proposing to put 262 turbines each at 1,171feet tall, placed in a grid pattern at 1 nautical mile apart, that cover approximately 219,568 acres, ranging from approximately 18-32 miles off the south coast of Oregon near Coos Bay and Brookings.
In 2021, during the regular legislative session, House Representative David Brock Smith sponsored HB3375. He claimed the bill was necessary to slow down the process started by BOEM and get the state government involved in this federal project. The bill had 10 cosponsors, 8 democrats and 2 republicans.
HB3375 2021 Regular Session - Oregon Legislative Information System (oregonlegislature.gov)
Anyone reading the bill should conclude that it does nothing to stop, much less stall the process of BOEM leasing the wind turbine areas to private companies. On the contrary, the bill fosters the project with the blessings of the state. The governor and several state agencies have publicly announced they are in favor of the wind turbine areas and have used language from the bill to promote it.
Oregon agencies support floating offshore wind project, but ask for more federal engagement - OPB
Why would anyone who wanted to stop or stall a project think it would be a good idea to get the state involved when it was evident the state government supported it?
Wind turbines are very unpopular and it is unreasonable for our House Representative to support something that would threaten endangered species, and destroy the fishing industry. These turbines do not provide energy efficiently or effectively and they are highly subsidized by the taxpayers.
However, State Rep. Smith was touting HB3375 as a tool to use against the project, but the wording of the bill made many question his reasoning.
Here is the wording from Section 1 Paragraphs A and B:
SECTION 1. (1) The Legislative Assembly finds that:
(a) Oregon offshore wind holds tremendous potential and promise for this state to diversify its energy portfolio.
(b) Oregon has an opportunity to participate in a growing global market by contributing to the development of the nascent offshore wind energy supply chain.
The very first section of the bill welcomes the wind turbine project, which seems to contradict what Smith was stating.
Section 1 Paragraph D does create an intergovernmental agreement between the state and BOEM to allow the state to be part of the process but it then encourages the expansion of the project. It does nothing to stop or stall the process.
(c) An intergovernmental task force led by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has reengaged and is expected to reveal offshore wind call areas in 2021 for the development of floating offshore wind energy within the federal waters off the Oregon coast.
(d) Oregon has an opportunity to participate in holistic west coast planning for the strategic integration of floating offshore wind energy within the next decade and to position itself for potential market expansion thereafter.
The bill goes beyond supporting the project it provides support to facilitate it.
From Section 1:
(f) The Oregon Business Development Department has established a leadership role in facilitating attracting the floating offshore wind energy industry to this state and in facilitating floating offshore wind energy supply chain development.
HB3375 allows the state to use the potential energy created by the wind turbines for the generation of hydrogen. The state government is going to use one controversial project to fuel another highly controversial project and the taxpayer is subsidizing both.
From Section 1:
(i) Understanding the feasibility of using offshore wind as a clean power source for the future in-state generation of renewable fuel such as renewable hydrogen will strengthen state and regional energy decarbonization planning scenarios.
Pacific NW wins $1 billion from feds for hydrogen hub. Now what? - oregonlive.com
No matter what Representative Smith is claiming this bill had only one goal clearly stated in Section 2, Paragraph A.
(a) It is the goal of this state to plan for the development of up to three gigawatts of floating offshore wind energy projects within the federal waters off the Oregon coast by 2030;
The bill did force the BOEM to hold no less than two remote public meetings, and to their credit, the agency held three meetings on the coast. BOEM held one meeting in Gold Beach on September 26, one in Coos Bay on September 27, and one in Brookings on September 28, 2023. Anyone who attended soon found out all three meetings were nothing more than a dog and pony show.
On April 27, 2021, 56 House Reps including the overwhelming majority of the Republican members voted to pass HB3375 and on June 08, 2021, it passed in the Senate with 8 Republican Senators voting against it. Most of the Senators who voted against this bill were the same senators who walked out of the Senate two years later in the regular session of 2023 to deny a quorum to the Democrats, which should demonstrate who was earnest in representing the people.
In a letter from then Governor Brown to the Secretary of the Department of Interior, she used part of the wording in HB3375 to promote and support BOEM’s wind turbine project.
Secretary Haaland’s October announcement of the Department of Interior’s intent to announce an Oregon Wind Energy Area during 2022 is encouraging and matches well with the State of Oregon’s commitments to seek to rapidly and aggressively move towards a 100% renewable energy future. Legislation I recently signed, stated: “It is the goal of this state to plan for the development of up to three gigawatts of floating offshore wind energy projects within the federal waters off the Oregon coast by 2030.”
2022-01-13 Governor Brown’s Letter to the Secretary of the Department of Interior
The evidence is clear David Brock Smith sponsored a bill that was 100% in favor of BOEM leasing the wind turbine areas to private corporations---all to the detriment of his constituents.
When one of his constituents sent DBS an email complaining about what he had done, David replied by calling him ignorant.
Here is the email from the constituent:
From: TSaint33
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2023 9:54 AM
Subject: Re: OSU-led project receives $2.5 million to study community perceptions of offshore wind energy | Oregon State University
Three cheers to our RINO Congressman and Senator.👏 Still selling your constituents down the road! They are either compromised, or only care about the trickle down $$$$ to their pockets, or both.
You both should be telling our State and Feds, "No!" No grey are here guys!!
Your constituents in this southern Oregon coast possible planned Oregon area, don't want these wind turbines shoved down our throats!! We don't need them for many many already said reasons.
To be made in Chyna. Maybe a life span of 10-15 years. Would cost more to make, over ever any amount of power they might generate. THIS IS A LOOSE/LOOSE SITUATION FOR US!!! Especially when the power is planned to go down to California's power grid. Also especially when we aren't going to see the jobs. That would be contracted and sub-contracted out by the Feds.
Ask the Santa Cruze farmers about the dead wind turbines left on their properties, how that went?
Stop playing their games!!
Do something right for us, your Constituents.
Mark and Linda St James
Here was how Senator David Brock Smith replied:
From: Sen Smith <Sen.DavidBrockSmith@oregonlegislature.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 12:37 PM
To: TSaint33Subject: RE: OSU-led project receives $2.5 million to study community perceptions of offshore wind energy | Oregon State University
Mark,
I’m assuming your ignorance is from lack of information, so I’ll attempt to give you some.
First, BOEM is a federal agency and their proposal is in federal waters (Oregon only has 3 miles from shore).
I have been leading the effort for Oregon and the Oregon Legislative Coastal Caucus on this issue.
I drafted the Coastal Caucus letter to BOEM that is attached.
I drafted and passed HB 3375, which forced the state to get involved in this issue and not let BOEM run over us.
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Measures/Overview/HB3375
I pushed back hard early on, and was able to move BOEM to use the NOAA Spatial Planning Tools (fishermen data) on the lease areas, which with that and the DOD, caused a significant reduction in the area proposed.
I created six community listening sessions that I held from Astoria to Brookings, to better engage the public on this issue, and for the first time ever in their project around the country, BOEM came on two separate occasion and held 6 community meetings to listen to the public, two of which included the Director of the agency.
I also drafted legislation that would further attempt to protect our industries and communities if BOEM does move forward, but the majority party refused to pass it. I believe because the investments of implementation would have come local and not go to Salem.
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Measures/Overview/SB678
I have also worked with our Federal Delegation (just FYI from your email Mark, Representative Boice is not a Congressman, he is an Oregon State Representative) US Senators Merkley and Wyden, as well as Congresswoman Hoyle, have submitted letters to slow down and listen to our people.
No one in Oregon has worked harder for our people on this issue than I.
I will continue to make sure we do what we can to protect the south coast, our industries, their communities and residents. Maybe this information will be helpful for you to assist.
Thanks.
Best,
David Brock Smith
Oregon State Senator
Senate District #1
Curry, Coos & Douglas Counties
“Southwest Oregon’s Fish, Farm & Forestry District”
Yes, SB678 would have given the fishing industry, the tribes, and local cities and counties greater benefits from the BOEM wind turbine project, but it did nothing to stall or stop the project. The bill died in committee on June 25, 2023, during the walkout by the Senate Republicans. David Brock Smith was not part of the walkout and never attained the 10 unexcused absences from the Senate like the other Senators, which was also a great disappointment to his constituents.
It also exemplified Smith’s lack of devotion to the will of the people who did not want HB2002 and HB2005 to become law. HB2002 allowed young girls to receive abortions and allowed children to have sex reassignment surgery without the permission of their parents. HB2005 made it illegal to possess unserialized firearms commonly and wrongly known as “ghost guns.”
Oregon Republican walkout: 6 more senators are potentially ineligible for reelection - OPB
House Rep. David Brock Smith had another chance to declare his opposition to BOEM’s wind turbine project when he wrote the letter for the Coastal Caucus, but instead, he continued to capitulate with the feds. He did put in the letter that there were growing concerns and asked BOEM to slow down the process for affected groups, but he stopped at an outright NO to the project.
Here is part of the Coastal Caucus letter:
During the 2021 Oregon Legislative Session, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 3375. This legislation directed the Oregon Department of Energy to study the benefits and challenges of integrating up to three gigawatts of floating offshore wind energy into Oregon’s electric grid.
2022-06-03 Coastal Caucus Letter Offshore Wind
In January of 2023, the county commissioners from his district appointed David Brock Smith to the Senate to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Dallas Heard.
David Brock Smith appointed to fill southwest Oregon state Senate seat - OPB
After seeing some of Smith’s actions concerning HB3375, combined with his continuing tendency to play both sides of the issue, it was time to look into some of his campaign finances, which revealed some questionable contributions by one contributor.
OREStar
Friends of David Brock Smith
ID: 15377
State of Oregon: Elections - Search for Campaign Finance Information
The top contributor to the Friends of David Brock Smith has contributed to the tune of $125,000, all in $25,000 increments to David’s campaign since 2016. The wife of his top contributor has also given DBS $25,000 in 2016.
Why would anyone contribute so much money to one candidate in such a small district?
In David’s last campaign for the house in 2022, he did have a Democratic challenger, but there was little to no chance his opponent was ever going to defeat him.
Maybe his top contributor is just a big fan of David and the large donations are innocent, but that large amount of money contributed to one campaign does look suspicious.
However, some coincidences about this generous contributor and the associations of David Brock Smith are revealing.
Smith’s top contributor is now retired, but he was a managing member and general partner at Newport Asia LLC, an investment advisory firm with 2.5 billion in AUM. Newport Asia LLC. has five investment funds that cover most of Asia.
Newport Asia is based out of San Francisco and is a large advisory firm with 5 clients and discretionary assets under management (AUM) of $1,500,665,477 (Form ADV from 2023-06-30). Their last reported 13F filing for Q3 2023 included $4,948,464 in managed 13F securities and a top 10 holdings concentration of 100.0%. Newport Asia's largest holding is Atour Lifestyle Holdings Ltd with shares held of 262,518.
That information came from Whale Wisdom, which has at least 51 13F filings.
Here is what they do:
WhaleWisdom was founded in 2008 with the belief that there is significant insight to be gained from the "whales" of the stock market. Hedge funds with the best and brightest talent focused on outperforming the market
NEWPORT ASIA LLC Top 13F Holdings - WhaleWisdom.com
Here is what Newport Asia does according to its website:
Newport Asia LLC is an SEC registered and independently owned investment management firm that invests in Asia, including China and India. It is the successor firm to Newport Pacific, founded in 1978. Newport’s principals have spent more than four decades discovering and investing in what we consider to be Asia’s highest-quality growth companies on behalf of clients that are some of the most prominent institutions, endowments, and family offices in the United States.
Here is the corporate profile of Atour Lifestyle Holdings:
Atour Lifestyle Holdings Limited (“Atour”) (NASDAQ: ATAT) is a leading hospitality and lifestyle company in China, with a distinct portfolio of lifestyle hotel brands. According to Frost & Sullivan, Atour is the largest upper midscale hotel chain in China in terms of room numbers as of the end of 2022, and is the first Chinese hotel chain to develop a scenario-based retail business. As of December 31, 2022, Atour operated 932 hotels across 163 cities in China, containing 107,998 rooms, with a further 363 hotels and 39,285 rooms under development. Atour’s diverse portfolio of hotel brands cover the entire spectrum of midscale to luxury hotels, and benefit from a young, loyal and growing customer base. As of December 31, 2022, Atour’s A-Card loyalty program had over 35 million individual registered members. Atour leverages its proprietary digital technology to personalize its products and services, greatly improving customer experience and setting new standards for operational efficiency. In addition, Atour’s hotel spaces provide a personalized immersive shopping destination that guides guests from discovery to purchase, creating a closed loop from lodging to retail. Through its hotel network, loyalty program and data technology capabilities, Atour is committed to bringing innovations to China’s hospitality industry and building new lifestyle brands around hotel offerings.
Coincidentally, David Brock Smith is on the Oregon China Council.
Here is the Oregon China Council’s trade mission:
China is Oregon’s largest trading partner and is one of only a few U.S. states that enjoy a trade surplus with China. OCC has a duty to support Oregon suppliers, growers, manufacturers in exporting products to China. At the same time, we encourage Oregon state and local government leaders, trade specialists, and businesses of all sizes to visit China and join international conferences and fairs hosted by China to raise Oregon's profile in the global market. The OCC Trade Mission is a proven program that has helped many Oregon businesses establish or expand their businesses. Through Oregon's sister states and cities in China and support from China’s Foreign Affairs Offices and the Chinese People’s Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries, our delegations have had opportunities to participate in events such as the 1st China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the World Economic Forum (Summer Season).
ORS 285A.152 – Oregon-China Sister State Committee authority (public.law)
David Brock Smith travels to China to connect Chinese business investors and companies with American companies. It may be just a coincidence that his top contributor used to be in a similar occupation and happens to be the largest contributor to Smith’s Political Action Committee. It may also be a coincidence Newport Asia's largest holding is Atour Lifestyle Holdings Ltd, which happens to be one of China’s largest hotel chains.
Smith claims he is just an old friend of his top contributor who thinks Smith is doing a great job for his constituents, so that is why he contributes so much money to Smith’s campaign.
Let us hope that is the case because China has a lot invested in Oregon and they are probably willing to do anything to keep the doors open to our state’s businesses.
As reported in China Daily:
According to New York-based Rhodium Group, the accumulated Chinese investment in Oregon in the past 17 years was $329 million on 10 deals, a moderate sum compared to $27.6 billion in California on 458 deals, and $1.5 billion in Washington on 51 deals.
Currently, China remains Oregon’s top trade partner and top source of international students and visitors. Last year, Oregon exported to China $5.8 billion worth of goods, or a total of 36,038, 20-foot equivalent unit (TEUs) containers, according to the Port of Portland. The leading China-bound commodities are hay and animal feed, lumber, metal scrap, frozen potatoes, wood pulp and other general merchandise.
China imported an annual minimum of $240 million worth of Oregon agricultural products.
Amazing that China is Oregon’s top trading partner.
Oregon is the first state to pass legislation to promote Chinese Mandarin education at the primary and secondary levels. It has 35 Confucius Classrooms—the highest number of schools in the US that offer Mandarin Chinese classes.
More than 6,000 students have directly benefited from this program, not to mention the families and friends of those students who directly or indirectly learn about China at the same time, said Governor Brown.
Oregon has two Confucius Institutes, one at Portland State University since 2007 and another at the University of Oregon since 2009, in addition to a Chinese Flagship Program initiated in 2005 at the University of Oregon that provides undergraduate students with pathways to professional-level proficiency in Chinese alongside academic majors of their choice.
Unfortunately, China has too much undue influence over our school children and college students.
Oregon Opens Up to China’s Possibilities
In addition, if all that was not enough to have questions about the actions of DBS. Did you know he is a non-voting member appointed by the Senate President to the Oregon Global Warming Commission?
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BLM releases Western Oregon Tribal Fairness Act Environmental Assessment — Rob Taylor Report
Interior Announces $28.4 Million In Payments To Western Oregon Counties — Rob Taylor Report
BLM ~ Jordan Cove Energy Project Planning Document Available For Public Review — Rob Taylor Report