Letters to the Editor, Week of July 9

Bicycles are traffic

The local problem between bicyclists and drivers is the drivers. Bicycles are traffic in Oregon. Their right-of-way is equivalent to that of motorists except that they are allowed to treat a stop sign as “yield.” None of this means that you have to freeze up when somebody on a bicycle is waiting at a stop sign. You can keep driving. It’s your right-of-way. Locals don’t know how to act when somebody’s not in a car. You make it awkward.

—Steve Edwards

Fusion and Oregon’s energy and economic needs

Congrats to the Bend City Council to help us move away from natural gas in our homes.
Now, we have to find the energy to power our electric appliances.

That’s the rub here. Ironically, natural gas-powered electricity is the top source — “about 41% — of U.S. utility-scale electricity generation,” according to the Energy Industry Administration’s 2025 numbers. In Oregon, natural gas creates 57.1% of our electricity, according to the EIA’s 2024 numbers.

Between data centers and the push toward electricification, Oregon needs a lot more POWER. Removing hydro dams would intensify our energy deficits. Recent studies suggest that Oregon and Washington could have at least a 3GW shortage of energy by 2030.

Enter fusion energy.

Let’s be clear; fusion energy is the power of the sun. It’s that sci-fi fairytale that we all thought was 10 to 20 years away because it was ALWAYS 10 to 20 years away even when it was the 1970s. It should NOT be confused with nuclear fission, which creates radioactive waste that needs to be buried underground for 1,000,000 years.

Actually, fusion energy may only be 3 years away. Helion Energy in our neighbor state to the north plans on putting electrons on the grid by 2029!

They’re not alone. Commonwealth Fusion Systems wants to build a powerplant by 2035, and they’re planning to turn on their massive demonstration powerplant—SPARC—next year. TAE is working to create a powerplant in the early 2030s, and Type One Energy is aiming for 2034. In June, General Fusion announced a power plant to be built in Italy

Furthermore, the fusion industry as a whole is already creating jobs and the need for educational programs to teach the next generation of workers how to build, maintain, and improve fusion energy systems. You don’t have to look too hard into the economic data for Oregon to realize that we need more good paying jobs, as growth in health care jobs is primarily the only bright spot in the economic reports.

Finally, this is a “Yes, and” situation. “Yes” to fusion and to advances in geothermal energy, wave energy, and renewables. All of it is needed.

But fusion and its associated jobs aren’t coming to Oregon unless we come together across business, government, environmental and education sectors. Together we can diversify our economy and bring the power of the sun to our homes.

—Jim Tolles

Proud to be Postmaster

As Postmaster of the Bend Post Office, I am proud to join our community in celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and the enduring role the Postal Service has played in connecting our nation.

On July 26, 1775, before the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Second Continental Congress created a national postal system and appointed Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General. That early decision helped the colonies share information, support commerce, and strengthen the bonds of a new nation.

Today, that same mission continues here in Bend. Our local Post Office is more than a place to buy stamps or send packages. It is part of the daily rhythm of our community connecting families, small businesses, veterans, seniors and neighbors with the people and services they count on.

To mark this historic milestone, USPS is offering 250th anniversary stamps, collectibles, commemorative merchandise and other items celebrating America’s story and the Postal Service’s role in it. I invite readers to learn more by visiting usps.com/usa250.

For 250 years, the Postal Service has helped bind America together. We are proud to continue that service here in Bend.

—Jenny L. Smith

Letter of the Week: 
Jenny, we appreciate our postal workers! As letter of the week, you can stop by the Source office at NW Georgia Avenue and Bond Street to pick up a gift card to Palate coffee. —Managing Editor Nic Moye

This article appears in the Source July 9, 2026.