News briefs

Bill would ban computers, TVs from landfills

Lawmakers in Salem advanced a bill on Monday that would ban old computers and televisions from landfills and require manufacturers to participate in a statewide program to recycle obsolete electronics.

“As consumer electronics become integrated into every facet of American life, we have a responsibility to find a sustainable way to dispose of these devices,” said Jackie Dingfelder, D-Portland, head of the Energy and Environment Committee, which moved the bill to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.

Oregonians threw away over 30,000 tons of computers, televisions and other electronics in 2005. Most of the obsolete gadgetry ended up in dumps and landfills where environmentalists say the machines’ toxic metals, such as mercury, lead and cadmium could end up leaking into the ground.

If the bill passes in the House, Oregon will join Washington, California, Maine and Maryland, which all currently regulate electronic waste. About 20 other states and New York City are currently considering legislation for the recycling of obsolete electronic products.

Paul Allen reclaims Rose Garden

The Rose Garden officially belongs to billionaire Paul Allen–again.

Allen’s investment company, Vulcan Inc., said Monday it had completed the acquisition of the Rose Garden Arena under a purchase agreement with Portland Arena Management, the former owner.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Allen built the Rose Garden for his NBA franchise, the Portland Trail Blazers, who had outgrown their old home at the aging Memorial Coliseum.

But Allen chose to give up Rose Garden ownership in bankruptcy proceedings in 2004 rather than pay interest on construction debt. He financed the arena without public funding.

“This is a major milestone and a positive step for the franchise,” Allen said in a statement released by Vulcan.

Allen shopped for a buyer for the Trail Blazers last year. As the team wrapped up one of the worst seasons in franchise history, he publicly complained the Blazers were suffering financial problems.

But his decision earlier this year to repurchase the Rose Garden signaled a turnaround for the team as Allen abandoned sale plans.

“My efforts are focused on continuing to support the Trail Blazers and the long-term financial health of the franchise,” Allen said.

The $262 million Rose Garden Arena opened in the fall of 1995 and seats about 20,000. It also serves as a site for concerts and other events, and as the home of the Portland Winter Hawks, a Western Hockey League team, and the Portland LumberJax of the National Lacrosse League.

FCC approves telephone password protection policy

You’ll have to provide a password if you want to get your account information from your telephone company under new privacy rules approved Monday by the Federal Communications Commission.

The rules were created to safeguard against pretexting, the practice of impersonating a phone customer to gain access to his phone records.

Pretexting entered the national vocabulary last year when executives of the Hewlett-Packard Co. were charged with hiring private detectives who used the technique to investigate board members.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said in a written statement that the new order “takes a strong approach to protecting consumer privacy.”

In addition to the password protection, the rules also require carriers to ask for customers’ permission when sharing private account information with business partners and independent contractors.