Kulongoski Says Efficiency May Be Future Focus Of Energy Policy

ENERGY  KULONGOSKI  ENVIRONMENT 

By Rob Manning

Portland, OR  June 17, 2008 12:30 p.m.

Oregon's governor says energy efficiency may replace renewable energy, as the primary focus of the Legislature's next global warming strategy. Rob Manning reports.

Oregon intends to sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next ten to forty years.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski says the easiest way to do that is by improving energy efficiency, and encouraging conservation.

Kulongoski told a business group that he wants all buildings to have efficiency certificates – similar to mileage stickers on cars.

Ted Kulongoski: “I believe that with escalating costs, energy costs, new homeowners and tenants, both commercial and residential, are entitled to know the energy performance of the home or building they’re investing in.”

Kulongoski also proposed requiring all new buildings to achieve zero net carbon emissions by the year 2030.

The governor has created a work group to focus on drawing up efficiency and conservation bills for the 2009 legislature. But he says businesses will have to take voluntary steps, as well, to reach the state’s greenhouse gas targets.

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