Oregon's top environmental groups stand united with the Governor, ready to mobilize and energize voters for November

Last week, the Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV), the Oregon Sierra Club and the Oregon Natural Resources Council (ONRC) pledged their support for the Governor's reelection campaign in a Portland press conference.

"We’ve reached a tipping point in our history, where we need a leader with both a commitment and a strong plan to promote renewable, clean energy and make Oregon a leader in the fight against global warming," said Jonathan Poisner, Executive Director of OLCV. "That leader is Ted Kulongoski."

The organizations commended the Governor for fighting to protect Oregon's two million acres of federal roadless areas, for aggressively combating global warming, for making the Willamette River clean up a priority, and for charting Oregon's path toward energy independence through alternative and renewable energy development and production.

The groups' press release is available here.

Governor Kulongoski: Ending Oregon's Dependence on Foreign Oil, Protecting Our Air, Water & Forests

Charting a Path to Energy Independence

Governor Kulongoski is committed to the goal that by 2025, 25 percent of Oregon's electricity will come from renewable energy sources. The goal, one of the most ambitious in the nation, will diversify our energy supply and help end our dependence on traditional fuels like, coal, oil, and natural gas. The Governor's Action Plan for Energy also includes investing in research and development in alternative energy sources such as wind, waves, the sun and biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel. By coupling these efforts with targeted tax incentives, Oregon will bring these technologies to market, create a domestic energy economy, and take the lead in promoting this innovative sector to the entire region.

Cleaning Oregon's Air; Combating Global Warming

After vetoing legislation pushed by anti-environmental groups trying to limit his authority, Governor Kulongoski directed the DEQ to enact new restrictions on tailpipe emissions from Oregon cars and light trucks. The new regulations will reduce vehicle emissions by 27 percent in 2030 - creating in concert with Washington and California a clean car corridor in along the entire West coast. According to recent studies, such moves will save consumers money overall by reducing the use of gas and extending the life of cars.

Cleaning Up the Willamette River Basin

In 2004 Ted Kulongoski launched his Willamette River Initiative based on three-Rs - Repair, cleaning up industrial pollutants/toxins; Restore, returning the river to its natural state; and Recreate, creating opportunities for Oregonians to enjoy and invest in the health of the river. He secured funding to fully implement watershed-based permitting that will reduce backlogs and improve water quality. The Willamette Water Trail, which will run from Eugene to Portland, is on schedule for completion by 2007.

Fighting to Protect Roadless Areas in Our National Forests

When the Bush administration tried to rollback federal protections for the roadless areas in our national forests, Governor Kulongoski went to court to stop them. And even after Bush overrode public opposition and implemented the new rules in 2005, he didn't back down - he continued to use every tool in his power to protect roadless areas in Oregon, including going to court to block logging in the roadless areas of the Biscuit Fire Complex.

Creating a New State Park Every Year

In 2004, the Governor pledged to create one new state park a year for the next ten years. Ground has broken on the Hares Canyon State Park, Stub Stewart State Park and the Sunset Beach State Park, with an additional opening expected for Yamhill County this summer.