Report From the Road: Across the state, Oregonians express strong support for a clean energy economy

Over the past 10 days, I have facilitated community discussions about environmental problems in Bend, Ashland, Salem and Gladstone (I'm pictured here at a conversation in Salem with Rep. Brian Clem, and Mia Nelson of 1000 Friends of Oregon).  These community forums, attended by more than 150 people, were part of the Summer Conversation Series sponsored by the OLCV Education Fund with support from a number of our environmental partners in the Oregon Conservation Network.  The events were co-hosted by Legislators representing each of these communities - Senators Alan Bates and Martha Schrader and Representatives Judy Stiegler and Brian Clem. 

You couldn't pick four communities that are more different from each other than Bend, Medford, Salem and Gladstone. They are in four different regions of the state and all have much different local issues and community dialogues.  However, after facilitating these discussions, I was struck at how much these four communities agree on.  We've heard three consistent themes at these four events:

1.  Oregonians want far more public transporation options.  Each community had their own specific problem to solve, but the message was the same: more public transportation will get us out of our cars more often.  Salem residents are furious that they don't have weekend bus service, or safe bike lanes on most streets.  The lack of choices forces people into their cars and keeps more people from biking. 

Ashland residents clearly articulated what a nightmare it is to try to travel by train to and from Ashland. And in Bend, residents hope growth will continue to be balanced. 

2.  There was a complete consensus that the state should continue to invest in renewable energy development and manufacturing. There is strong support of and testimony about jobs that have been created in all of these communities from clean economy investments.  

3.  Oregonians not only support - they expect - our elected leaders to do everything they can to protect our water and food supply from dangerous toxics.  We heard clear and strong support for the elimination of Bisphenol - A (BPA) from children's food containers.  

I think it's important to point out that these are traditionally more conservative areas of the state. Often, opponents of environmental protections attempt to characterize every solution as a wacky idea coming from downtown Portland.  Unfortunately, this can sometimes be effective inside the Capitol building. One of the most important revelations of this summer conversation series is that protecting the environment is a statewide value with some clear areas of consensus. 

The feedback we've received and continue to collect at these community discussions will hopefully help us break through the gridlock in the next Legislative session. 

We encourage everyone to be a part of the conversation. There are only four forums left in the series--find one near you here. And answer the OLCV Education Fund's  two-question survey about your top environmental concern at www.olcveducationfund.org/talktous.