Guest Opinion

Legislature keyed on conservation

By Scott Bruun

, Jul 19, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (5 Reader comments)

At the 1908 National Governor’s Conference in Washington D.C., Theodore Roosevelt – my favorite president – said to the assembled state executives that the issue of conservation “is the chief material question that confronts us, second only – and second always – to the great fundamental questions of morality.”

Well said, of course.

And while Oregon’s 2007 Legislature largely avoided issues of morality, we did have the courage to tackle meaningful environmental and conservation reform. During the session we addressed everything from recycling to renewable energy, bio-fuels to water quality. Some of our larger efforts include:

Senate Bill 838, probably considered the session’s biggest success. This bill requires that 25 percent of Oregon’s new electricity needs be generated from renewable resources by 2025. SB 838 will promote wind, solar, hydro and wave energy, all abundant in Oregon, and all designed to promote Oregon-based businesses and environmental entrepreneurism.

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