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HomeMy Public PortalAboutJohnson, PeterRandy Sta/anus Opinion / A/ ///a Johnson case even stronger Almost eight years ago, Sen. Jim McClure went to bat for Peter Johnson, pushing his ap- pointment to a key federal en- ergy post. The result was the Boise na- tive's appointment as adminis- trator of the Bonneville Power Administration. Now McClure is doing it again - pushing Johnson this time for secretary of Energy. And this time he may have a clearer, stronger case for John- son than he did then. In 1981 the logic behind Johnson's appointment to run the BPA had to look a little shaky. Johnson was widely respect- ed and worked easily with a wide range of people, but he had not worked in government before; he had been an execu- tive in Idaho manufacturing firms. (His sole involvement with government had been par- ticipation on a task force on state government efficiency put together by Gov. John Ev- ans.) He had no in-depth back- ground on energy issues. And he was stepping into the mid- dle of one of the volatile and dangerous economic cauldrons the Northwest has ever had. WPPSS fiasco This was when the Washing- ton Public Power Supply Sys- tem fiasco was rising to full roar. WPPSS had planned to build five nuclear power plants in Washington state, but saw its plans go awry when their cost shot out of sight, into the tens of billions of dollars. The power marketing operations of the BPA were deeply entwined with WPPSS, and Johnson would have to deal with that. And he would have to under- take that impossible mission while reorganizing the BPA. In 1980 Congress had passed the Northwest Power Act, which greatly expanded the role the BPA must play in energy plan- ning and coordination in the Northwest. All of this would have been hard work for the most experi- enced of energy planners. And the actions Johnson would take the next few years were not always popular. Once, when he ordered a halt to work on two of the Washington nu- clear plants, 12,000 people dem- onstrated in the Tri-Cities area in Washington, and Johnson was burned in effigy. For a while he needed a police escort when he visited that area. Later lionized And yet, when he announced his resignation in June 1986, Johnson was widely lionized as one of the best things to hap- pen to Northwest energy plan- ning in recent years. He had made a string of tough decisions on WPPSS that others had been unable or unwilling to make. The shadow of WPPSS will lay over the Northwest for decades but it would have been much darker if Johnson had not used his clout to make the hard choices. He created a conservation office in BPA and set up new programs for power exchanges with private utilities. And he kept energy planning and policy on course during what may have been its stormi- est period ever. Few regional federal offi- cials face the kinds of pres- sures or challenges Johnson did during those years. Johnson has at least two credible competitors for Ener- gy Secretary: retiring Wash- ington Sen. Dan Evans (a for- mer chairman of the Northwest Power Planning Council) and former Congress- man Henson Moore of Louisi- ana. Several current and for- mer Department of Energy officials also are said to be in the running. But none has been through an energy pressure cooker quite the way Johnson has. That could be Johnson's ad- vantage when he meets with the Bush transition crew on . Monday - and McClure's ad- vantage as he pushes his friend for the job. s r� rP s ,9. A/ i68 Randy Stapilus Opinion Johnson rides Energy force For a man stuck in the wait- ing room, for who knows how long, Peter Johnson sounded up. His voice was crisp and full' of energy on Thursday. He was back in Boise after traveling around the country, and espe- cially to Washington. There, on Monday, he meth for 90 minutes with Chase Un termeyer, chairman of George Bush's transition team. Craig Fuller, the transition staff co- director, sat in during half of the meeting. The subject was the prospec- tive appointment of Johnson, a Boise native and formerly a, businessman, as secretary of Energy. He appears to be Ida- ho's best shot at a high-level position in the Bush administration. "It went well," Johnson said. "Since then, virtually nothing has developed that's new. I. continue to be honored to be considered and if it's offered, I would accept. I see the prob- lems but I see more opportuni- ties to be seized." He said he did not know. when an announcement would come. Still, piecing together fact and rumor, there's some reason to believe a Johnson appoint- ment will happen, and happen during the week ahead. First, the Bush appointments have moved along at a speedy, clip. Most of the Cabinet -level, positions, down to secretary of Agriculture, have been filled. If the Bush people continue to work this efficiently through the stack, the rest of the Cabi- net jobs should be done by Christmas. Second, there is the nature of the Department of Energy — and the nature of Johnson's competitors. Energy has be- come a fairly anarchic organi- zation in recent months; you. can find evidence in Secretary John Herrington's ever -confus- ing statements on the plutoni- um stockpile. Transition officials, I'v,e been told, have indicated they think a hands-on problem -solv- er with some energy back- ground would be the right per- son for the job. Johnson, who took over the Bonneville Power Administra- i tion in 1981 during a rough patch and left it in sound shape, fits. His chief competitor, former, Congressman Henson Moore of Louisiana, has no comparable experience in any field. Other less -likely contenders, such as' former Tennessee Gov. LaMar Alexander, do have solid mana- gerial experience but little in the areas an Energy secretary may face. Third, Johnson may have the most institutional backing. Someone like Moore, from an oil -producing state, could. be expected to pick up heavy corporate energy support. But Johnson apparently is getting some quiet backing even from, that quarter. And when during the inter- view Untermeyer asked how the environmental community would view him, Johnson could say truthfully: "I as- sumed reasonably favorably, because of the relationship we had when I was at BPA." The omens look favorable, so far. What's ahead It Johnson gets the job, what kind of problems will he be jumping into? It's a department that has missed a lot of opportunities.. Johnson sees it as one thSt- "deals with such issues as the greenhouse effect, acid rain, the ozone layer. "There are things to do in all of those that might bring about, better results, and the possibil= ity to throw a shoulder to them is quite exciting." He said that "too many peo- ple focus on the problems of weapons production and waste management. But those are the most important issues before the department right now, and they must be dealt with in a responsible fashion." Randy Stapilus is the politi- cal editor of The Statesman. 3 _ S5 Johnson calls being also-ran disappointing Idahoan had plans for environme y issues By Charles Etlinger yl(3)9 The Idaho Statesman Peter Johnson says that for months he has been "all but liv- ing the experience" of being a top candidate for Energy secretary. Now the former Boise business- man will live with the letdown of not being picked. President-elect George Bush fleshed out his Cabinet on Thurs- day with the nomination of re- tired Adm. James D. Watkins to head the Department of Energy. "Hearing of the choice of Admi- ral Watkins is somewhat disap- pointing, because it means I can- not jump in and begin the task of re-establishing the credibility of the Department of Energy," the McCall resident said. "I'm even more unhappy that I will not be able to pursue the several opportunities within the department to address environ- mental concerns." Watkins will have to deal with modernizing and cleaning up the department's aging nuclear weap- ons materials complex, a task es- timated to cost more than $100 See Johnson/7A Johnson From 1A billion dollars. J Johnson said he didn't know Watkins but "I'm sure he's quali- fied to lead the Department of Energy at this crucial time." The admiral's name hadn't sur- faced before in the rumor mill spinning around the post, as Bush continued to delay the nomina- tion after other major Cabinet jobs had been filled. The stock of Johnson seemingly rose and plummeted over the past month. He was on the final list, then he was off, and then he was back on, if news reports were correct. "I twice called my children to tell them it's all over," he said. The former head of the Bonne- ville Power Administration watched as candidates like James Schlesinger, former Energy and Defense secretary, came into the limelight and then apparently were chopped down. Johnson's principal backer was Sen. Jim McClure, R-Idaho, who said Thursday that "Peter was in the running all the way." McClure said that given the de- partment's problems, particularly in weapons plants, "I still believe Peter's skills and expertise made him the most qualified for the post." He suggested Watkins seek out Johnson's advice. Johnson also had unusually wide-ranging support from other influential members of Congress in the Northwest, industry and environmentalists. He described the long wait McClure had discussed his possi- ble support as early as Labor Day -- as something of a paradox: "Anticipating I might be called, in which case I'd be on a fast track for four years ... while con- tinuing, to pursue private inter- ests of an altogether different nature." These include the arts and writ- ing, interests which he had post- poned developing during his ca- reer in business and government, but will continue to engage in. Bush had said in December it would be helpful if his Energy secretary had experience in the nuclear field. Johnson believes he was qualified in that regard by his dealings at BPA with the trou- bled nuclear plants being built by the Washington Public Power Supply System. Previously he headed the Boise - based TJ International Corp. Staff- News Nov i'vg(?) Batt names McCall man to his team "If I had any singular motive, it is to help the governor -elect ..deliver to the people of Idaho the promises he made." - Peter Johnson BY TOM GROTE The Star -News Peter T. Johnson of McCall has been named to the transition team that will ease the move of Idaho Gov. - elect Phil Batt into office. Johnson is one of 13 people named by Batt, a Republican, to the transi- tion team following his victory in the Nov. 8 general election over Demo- crat Larry EchoHawk. In an interview this week, Johnson said he expects to advise Batt on en- ergy and water issues, both in regard to staffing of state agencies and prepa- ration of legislation. Johnson, 62, has lived full-time hi -- McCall since 1986, moving back to his long-time family home after serv- ing six years as administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration in Portland, Ore. Johnson previously served as presi- dent and then chief executive officer of what is now known as TJ Interna- tional, a Boise -based wood -products company. He left that company in 1979. • Locally, Johnson was the prime mover behind state legislation in 1993 to form the Big Payette Lake Water Quality Council, which is now study- ing the water quality in Payette Lake. Johnson chairs the council, which has been meeting for the past 18 months. He also has served on national committees dealing with nuclear power and other energy issues, and he sits on the board of directors of Idaho Power Co. Johnson also is a writer and a sculptor. He has known Batt in various ca- pacities over the years, but became directly involved in Idaho Republi- can Party affairs three years ago. At that time, Johnson became part of STRIDE, a project to develop a new vision for the state's Republicans. "That brought us together in a com- mon effort, and he (Batt) agreed to take the chairmanship of the Republi- can Party," Johnson said. "He played the pivotal role in bringing the Re- publican party back into harmony." While he will offer his own opin- ions to the governor -elect, Johnson has no doubt Batt will make up his own mind on issues and appointments. "He'll probably lean on the transi- tion team for advice, but Phil Batt will reserve the final decisions for him- self," he said. "If I had any singular motive, it is to help the governor -elect set up a good administration and deliver to the people of Idaho the promises he made during the campaign," Johnson said. Other members of the transition team include former Idaho Gov. Rob- ert E. Smylie, Rep. Michael Crapo, R-Idaho, former Ore -Ida Foods chair- man Gerald Herrick, state Rep. Pam Ahrens, R-Boise, and former Idaho Senate President Pro Tem Jim Risch. 7j e orsc kfQ m b e ) 7, Yq 9 µ Batt names McCall man to his team "If I had any singular motive, it is to help the governor-elect...deliver to the people cf Idaho the promises he made." - Peter Johnson BY TOM GROTE The Star -News Peter T. Johnson of McCall has been named to the transition team that will ease the move of Idaho Gov. - elect Phil Batt into office. Johnson is one of 13 people namel by Batt, a Republican, to the transi- tion team following his victory in the Nov. 8 general election over Demo- crat Larry EchoHawk...: In an interview this week, Johnson said he expects to advise Batt on en- ergy and water issues, both in regard to staffing of state agencies and prepa- ration of legislation. Johnson, 62, has lived full-time in McCall since 1986, moving back to his long-time family home after serv- in? six years as administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration i Portland, Ore. 'Johnson previously served as presi- dent and then chief executive officer of what is now known as TJ Interna- tional, a Boise -based wood -products company. He left that company in 1979. Locally, Johnson was the prime mover behind state legislation in 1993 to form the Big Payette Lake Water Quality Council, which is now study- ing the water quality in Payette Lake. Johnson chairs the council, which has been meeting for the past 18 months. He also has served on national committees dealing with nuclear power and other energy issues, and he sits on the board of directors of Idaho Power Co. Johnson also is a writer and a sculptor. He has known Batt in various ca- pacities over the years, but became directly involved in Idaho Republi- can Party affairs three years ago. At that time, Johnson became part of STRIDE, a project to develop a new vision for the state's Republicans. "That brought us together in a com- mon effort, and he (Batt) agreed to take the chairmanship of the Republi- can Party," Johnson said. "He played the pivotal role in bringing the Re- publican party back into harmony." While he will offer his own opin- ions to the governor -elect, Johnson has no doubt Batt will make up his own mind on issues and appointments. "He'll probably lean on the transi- tion team for advice, but Phil Batt will reserve the final decisions for him- self," he said. "If I had any singular motive, it is to help the governor -elect set up a good administration and deliver to the people of Idaho the promises he made during the campaign," Johnson said. Other members of the transition team include former Idaho Gov. Rob- ert E. Smylie, Rep. Michael Crapo, R-Idaho, former Ore -Ida Foods chair- man Gerald Herrick, state Rep. Pam Ahrens, R-Boise, and former Idaho Senate President Pro Tem Jim Risch. ar eiys Widlife refuge named after Peter Johnson The name of McCall resident Peter T. Johnson was placed last week on a new 60,000-acre conservation project where the Snake and Salmon rivers meet. The new Peter T. Johnson Wildlife Mitigation Unit is located on Craig Mountain, 25 miles south of Lewiston. In a ceremony Friday at the Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center in Boise, representatives from the Bonneville Power Administration of- ficially transferred the property to the State of Idaho and dedicated a sign that will welcome visitors. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will manage the ranch as part of the Craig Mountain Wildlife Man- agement Area. In combination with adjacent BLM and The Nature Con- servancy lands, the Craig Mountain Area comprises, a unique ecosystem of aver 00,0,.,.4 acres. "This Mitigation Unit, an action to mollify and lessen Dworshak Reservoir's impacts on wildlife, dem- onstrates the region's long-term willingness to protect and enhance wildlife," said Johnson, who was BPA administrator from 1981 to 1986. "I am deeply honored that my name has been chosen as a symbol of the countless persons who have worked tirelessly to conceive of the idea of wildlife mitigation, translate it into federal law, locate this unique parcel of Idaho, negotiate the endless details, develop a vision and plan, and effect this historic transaction between the Nez Perce Indian Nation, BPA and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game," Johnson said. Johnson was instrumental in be- ginning BPA's fish and wildlife protection, mitigation and enhance- ment program, now the world's largest such effort. "The acquisition of this mitigation land ensures that wildlife habitat and public access for Idaho sportsmen and women and Nez Perce tribal mem- bers will exist for future generations," said Keith Carlson, chair of the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. "The Dworshak facility has killed several hundred deer and elk since 1971 when the pool was created, and I am pleased to finally see appropriate wildlife mitigation implemented," said Samuel N. Penney, chair of the Nez Perce Tribe. The Nez Perce tribe, along with BPA and the F&G, signed the Dworshak Wildlife Mitigation Agree- ment in 1992 to help replace wildlife habitat lost at Dworshak Reservoir. Gates at the Dworshak Dam and Res- ervoir were closed in 1971, flooding thousands of acres of low elevation wildlife habitat. "This is the ideal arrangement for getting results to protect wildlife," said Randy Hardy, the current BPA administrator. "It's biologically sound and fiscally responsible. With a very cost effective deal for the ratepayers, the region gains an entire ecosystem benefiting wildlife." Hardy also announced the forma- tion of the Peter T. Johnson/Craig Mountain internship, which will fund a college student to research and study the area each summer. At least 15 special status wildlife species live in the Peter T. Johnson Wildlife area, including three amphib- ians, one reptile, eight birds and three mammals. These are among over 200 wildlife species found on the moun- tain, including elk, black bear, deer, cougar, bighorn sheep and birds rang- ing from blue and ruffed grouse to Hungarian partridge. Johnson currently is chairman of the Big Payette Lake Water Quality Council, a state -sanctioned board charged with protecting the water quality of Payette Lake. He is the former president and chief executive officer of Trus Joist Corp., now TJ International, and a former director of what is now West One Bank of Idaho. In addition to his civic contribu- tions, he is pursuing a creative career which includes sculpting, writing, painting and music. Star -News News Page_Lead Story Page 1 of 1 Payette Lake water -quality advocate Peter Johnson dies at age 82 BY TOM GROTB The Star -News Peter Johnson, who spearheaded a campaign in the 1990s to protect the water quality of Payette Lake, died Sunday at his Boise home. Johnson, 82, had tong battled Parkinson's Disease. He was known statewide and regionally as the former chief of the Bonneville Power Administration and chairman of Trus Joist Corp. but his work with Payette Lake was his local legacy. "Peter could not be intimidated," said Bill Weida, who served with Johnson on the Big Payette Lake Vtfater Quality Council, which Johnson helped form. Pete 4,14uuscu "He was single-minded in his focus and desire to protect the lake for the future use of our residents and for the good of our economy; Weida said. Johnson was respectful of ati sides but adept at getting people to take action to protect the ake, said Leslie Freeman, a former state water -quality specialist who worked with the water council. "He felt that with education, people would be more inclined to do the right thing in terms of lake stewardship," Freeman said. Johnson's dedication to Payette Lake's water quality was spurred around 1990 by a case of giardia that he contracted from drinking water drawn from the lake, Weida said. That led to a series of events that culminated in 1593, when at Johnson's urging the Idaho Legislature formed the Big Payette Lake Water Quality Council. Among the council's missions was to develop a management plan for the lake, which it did in 1997. Voluntary Measures The council focused on voluntary measures to protect the lake, from which the city of McCall draws its drinking water. Those measures included advising boaters to avoid gasoline spills while fueling and urging lakeside home owners to replace fertilized lawns with natural vegetation. The council also supported efforts to reduce pollution from groundwater running off ivicCali streets into the lake and to eradicate milfoil, a fast-growing weed that robs oxygen from the water. Regular testing of the lake also was started by the council to ensure oxygen levels were adequate to support fish and other aquatic life. Johnson took pains to be sure various local, state and federal agencies were aware of what the others were doing in Payette Lake, Freeman said. The water council was replaced in 2004 by the Big Payette Lake Watershed Advisory Group, and Johnson served on the new group until his death. "During the development frenzy in fvic.Call from 2008 to 2008., when the citizens of McCall could have lost everything, Peter was a giant presence in defense of the lake," Weida said. http://www.mceallstarnews.eomipagesifead_page.php 2/13/20 4