Oregon governor renews sustainability board

Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) reinstated the state's sustainability board nearly five months after a bill to extend its funding failed in the state's legislature.

Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) reinstated the state's sustainability board Thursday, nearly five months after a bill to extend its funding failed in the state's legislature.

At an awards dinner hosted by Portland-based Sustainable Northwest, Kulongoski signed Executive Order 06-02, wich reauthorizes the Oregon Sustainability Board. The previous board's charter expired on Jan. 2. The new 11-person board will add three members, who Kulongoski plans to appoint by the end of January, said David Van't Hof, the governor's sustainability advisor.

When the board reconvenes in February, Kulongoski said he will challenge its members to address issues of renewable energy and agriculture. Kulongoski singled out the development of bio-energy markets, as well as the need for Oregon's agriculture and timber industries to develop "sustainably marketed value-added commodities in the state," Van't Hof said. Kulongoski cited the success of Brothers, Ore.-based Country Natural Beef (formerly Oregon Country Beef) as a model for market development.

The order also provides direction to several state agencies. The Department of Administrative Services will serve as the leader for a variety of initiatives around monitoring greenhouse gas emissions and developing procurement guidelines for sate agencies. Kulongoski said the procurement guidelines, which should be in place by the end of 2006, will take into account a variety of practices, including life-cycle cost assessment, product takeback, reuse and recycling.

Kulongoski also voiced his support for the development of a "toolbox" for local governments and private companies interested in pursuing sustainability initiatives. From best practices to providing access to resources, the board is charged with expanding sustainability across the state. To that end, Kulongoski's order establishes an awards program, similar to the City of Portland's BEST (Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow) awards program, that would honor private sector success in environmental performance.

However, the board's new home in the executive branch presents some unique challenges that will have to be met in the months ahead, Van't Hof said. Without staff and funding, the board will rely on other state agencies and stakeholders to execute many of the board's directives.

"I think that I’m going to be advocating to the legislature to allocate some resources for this – but that’s going to take some time," Van't Hof said.

But he remains optimistic. "We’re moving forward, not stepping back," he said.