Governor Outlines Need to Invest in Sustainability and Transportation to Maintain a Strong Economy
Governor Kulongoski calls for a transportation system that keeps Oregon competitive in a global marketplace while maintaining leadership on global climate change.
Portland – Today while addressing the Northwest Food Processors Association, Governor Ted Kulongoski outlined the link between competitiveness in a global economy and advancing Oregon’s fight against global warming – the common thread being a 21st century transportation system.
“Today the food processing industry faces two great challenges: the global marketplace and global climate change,” Governor Kulongoski said. “These issues are regional, non-partisan, long-term and critical to our economy, environment and quality of life.”
Food processing is a $20.7 billion industry for the region, employing 75,000 workers with at least 200,000 more employees in related industries. With farms, equipment, packaging, trucking and warehousing, the food industry cluster generates more than $38 billion in products annually with a total regional economic impact of $42.5 billion.
“Lose you and lose our economic future,” the Governor told the group. “But what about global climate change? These issues are linked. The more sustainable you are, the more energy efficient you are, the more high tech and green you are – the more likely you will find your competitors in the rearview mirror.”
The Governor outlined steps the state has taken to help reduce the state’s carbon footprint, from establishing a renewable portfolio standard to setting a biofuels standard to setting energy efficiency goals to reduce electricity use to levels used during the 1990s. He also outlined his vision for building on these successes during the 2009 legislative session.
“I intend to propose a legislative package in 2009 that will position Oregon to be a national leader in climate change – just as we are already a leader in energy independence,” the Governor said. “The centerpiece of the package will be a cap and trade regulation of greenhouse gas emissions – which must be regional and bi-national.”
Transitioning to the issue of transportation, the Governor said, “If the global economy is one challenge our region’s food processors face and global climate change is the other – the link between the two is transportation.”
The Governor committed to making transportation a top priority for the 2009 legislative session, continuing the investments made over the last five years to maintain the current infrastructure and diversify Oregon’s transportation system.
“The clock is ticking. We’re heading toward a future where moving goods in and out of Oregon means passing through one transportation bottleneck after another – after another,” the Governor said. “That is unacceptable to me, which is why in 2009 I will propose a long-term fix for the shortcomings in Oregon’s transportation network.”
He outlined five guiding principles for the package that is under development: 1) Economic Development; 2) Local Input; 3) Sustainability; 4) Transparency and Oversight; and 5) Statewide Distribution.
“Right now there are more questions than answers. Cost, size, location, light rail, federal participation, public support – and financing – are all under discussion,” the Governor continued. “But this much I can tell you: Ignoring the problem will only make it worse.”
The Governor closed with a call to adopt innovative strategies to ensure our traditional industries, such food processing, can continue to thrive in a global economy.
“Although the values people of the northwest hold about land, agriculture, and importance of high quality value-added food have not changed, almost everything else about what we grow, how we grow and the best ways to add value to food after its grown – is changing,” the Governor said. “So we have to change too – by harvesting innovation, saving energy, and rebuilding our infrastructure.”
Contacts:
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-5040
Rem Nivens, 503-378-6496
Patty Wentz, 503-378-6169
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