Governor John Kitzhaber addressed union members Tuesday morning in Eugene to discuss innovative ways of getting Oregonians back to work.
“Some of the best ‘green’ innovations are coming from existing companies who adapt their approach to changing markets,” Kitzhaber said. “Oregon is a leader in clean technology, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing with tremendous growth potential across the globe.”
These innovations and the promotion of a strong Oregon image has kept Kitzhaber busy this summer, including a two-week visit to Asia during September.
“We’ve got the green energy program at the University of Oregon,” Kitzhaber said. “It’s only a matter of connecting the dots.”
And connecting the dots is what the governor hopes to accomplish by educating more people about the future of green businesses, such as recycling.
The University is educating more people about green energy and putting its money where its mouth is by investing $65 million in the Lewis Integrative Science Building, which will incorporate a sustainable design through features like solar hot water, a glass exterior, bamboo and low volatile organic compound carpets and paint.
“The Lewis Science Center is definitely a state-of-the-art energy efficient building,” Frank Vignola, senior research associate in the physics department, said earlier this year. “A lot of effort has gone into reducing the energy consumption of the building.”
This is just one of the things the University is doing to help create a more sustainable campus, while also supporting the local economy.
“I can’t say that I’ve got the magic solution that’s going to turn things around, but there’s some good things happening out there,” Kitzhaber said. “I want to make sure people are aware of it.”
One of those good things is the Bulk Handling System, a Eugene-based business, that was toured by Kitzhaber later that day.
“Bulk Handling is a terrific success story. It’s an example of how Oregon will emerge stronger and more prosperous from this challenging economic time through innovation and entrepreneurial drive, with Oregonians designing and building the products of the 21^st century,” Kitzhaber said after his tour of the headquarters in Eugene.
Bulk Handling System is a growing business in recycling that employed 125 people a year and a half ago and has since increased the number of employees to 200.
“Six years ago we had 35 employees. Today we have more than 200,” Steve Miller, CEO of Bulk Handling System, said.
But Bulk Handling System is only one of the green industries growing from Oregon.
“The state can and must partner with the private sector to build on this opportunity,” Kitzhaber said.