Gov. Ted Kulongoski will visit campus Wednesday to sign seven pieces of environmental legislation.
The signing, which begins at 10:30 a.m. in the atrium in Lillis Hall, seeks to restrict the growth of coal power and greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon through studies, commissions and task forces focusing on environmental regulation.
Kulongoski specifically chose the University campus for this event because of its environmental awareness, especially in Lillis Hall, a “green” building, a spokesperson said.
“This signing taking place on our campus will help broaden public understanding of the University’s environmental awareness and sustainability,” Betsy Boyd, University Vice President for Public and Government Affairs, said Tuesday. Boyd said that, in addition, the Lillis event will be a positive display of the University’s facilities to the attendees.
“Signing these bills in Lillis shows that the state is aware of the University’s environmental sustainability and are making it a top priority,” ASUO Environmental Advocate Daniel Rottenberg said.
Rottenberg said he sees these measures as a good start toward combating global warming. “It’s important that the state prioritizes scientific studies and issues,” he said. “The studies’ findings will support a green energy future for Oregon.”
Lobbyists who petitioned for these bills to pass see the signing as a great accomplishment. “University students have been working hard in support of these bills,” former Survival Center director Jesse Hough said. “Although it’s exciting, we will continue to push the state to become more active in global warming issues.”
Jillian Schoene, a spokesperson for Kulongoski, said the governor plans to highlight a bill that will regulate vehicle pollution (House Bill 2186).
“Anyone who uses a car on a daily basis wants to be putting less carbon in the air,” Schoene said of the bill.
Other bills Kulongoski plans to sign would create incentives for people with solar panels, restrict the expansion of coal power and regulate the production of biofuels.
Wednesday’s event will also include an address by the governor along with a question-and-answer segment following the signing. Though the event was not highly publicized because it was only scheduled two days before it will take place, all faculty and students are welcome.
More Information:
What: Gov. Ted Kulongoski visiting campus to sign seven bills
When: July 22, 10:30 a.m.
Where: The atrium in Lillis Hall.
The bills – Kulongoski intends to sign seven pieces of legislation:
Senate Bill 38: Allows the Environmental Quality Commission to monitor greenhouse emissions
Senate Bill 79: Creates a task force to monitor energy producers
Senate Bill 101: A widely supported bill aimed at restricting the use of coal by, among other things, preventing the creation of new coal power sources
House Bill 2186: Enables the Environmental Quality Commission to regulate truck emissions.
House Bill 2626: Creates a loan program for sustainable technology
House Bill 3039: Allows people with solar panels to sell the energy back to utility companies
House Bill 3463: Regulates producers of biodiesel fuel
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