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Below is a list of actions being taken by local governments in Oregon, which make their communities more sustainable and reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases.  Check and see if your city is on the list! 

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Making public transportation easily accessible is a great way to reduce greenhouse emissions

Cities

 

Portland - Portland is considered a national leader in greenhouse-emission reduction and sustainable practices.  The city was one of the first in the US to bring its greenhouse emissions below 1990 levels, and has one of the highest recycling rates in the country.  Again and again Portland has experimented with new ways to increase the city's reliance on renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.  Portland has signed onto the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, and is a member of ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability Cities for Climate Protection Campaign.

 

Eugene - Another of Oregon's most sustainable communities, Eugene has stated the goal of becoming one of the most livable mid-size cities in the US.  City utilities purchase some wind power, and biodiesel and hybrid vehicles have been incorporated into the city fleet.  Eugene plans to put together a Sustainability Commission to oversee green projects in the community. The city is a signatory to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, and is a member of the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign.  The Mayor's Climate Challenge, initiated by Mayor Kitty Piercy, helps Eugene residents calculate their carbon footprint, and find ways to reduce their contribution to global warming.

 

Hillsboro - New public buildings in Hillsboro, including City Hall and a new library, are designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly.  Hillsboro's 2020 Vision includes many provisions to "green" the city through saving energy, increasing recycling rates, and other measures.  Hillsboro is a signatory city to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, and is seeking membership in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign.

 

Ashland - Ashland is a signatory to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, and a member of the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign.  The Ashland Green Businesses Program helps businesses in the city to become more environmentally friendly.

 

Corvallis - Corvallis approved a city-wide policy on sustainability in 2004, and has a sustainability coordinator to oversee environmental projects.  It is a member of the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign.  Corvallis signed onto the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement under former mayor Helen Berg, and the current mayor and city council are considering whether to keep the city signed on.

 

Lake Oswego - Lake Oswego has approved formal "sustainability principles" for the city.  It is a signatory to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

 

Gresham - Gresham's GREAT (Gresham Resource Efficiency Assistance To Businesses) program provides free help to local businesses that wish to conserve energy, encourage recycling, manage solid waste, and take other steps to make themselves greener.  Gresham is a signatory city to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

 

Oregon City - Oregon City has adopted city-wide sustainability measures.  It is a signatory to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

 

Beaverton - Beaverton has taken basic steps toward reducing greenhouse emissions, such as encouraging recycling and using energy-efficient lighting for traffic signals.  It is a signatory to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

 

Lincoln City - Lincoln city is smallest city in Oregon to have signed the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

 

Salem - The city government in Salem is attempting to make sustainable, energy-efficient purchases.  Salem has been designated a "green" power, because it purchases certain percentage of energy used in the city from renewable sources.  Salem has claimed it supports the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in principle, yet has declined to sign the Agreement, citing the document's political implications.

 

West Linn - In 2006, a citizen task force put together a sustainability plan for the city.

 

Gladstone - Gladstone is a member of the Plug-in-Partners National Campaign, which encourages the use and production of plug-in hybrid vehicles.

 

Pendleton - Farmers in Pendleton may work out an agreement to grow biodiesel for Portland, thus supplying the largest urban area in the state with a local source of an environmentally friendly fuel.

 

 

Counties

 

Multnomah County - Multnomah County is a member of the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign.