Sustainability programs may see cash boost

A new bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would start a $50 million grant program to help fund sustainability research and development initiatives at Portland State and colleges across the nation.

If passed, HR 3284, or the Higher Education Sustainability Act of 2007, would authorize a new $50 million grant program for sustainable programs within the Department of Education, according to a summary of the act written by James Elder, a proponent of the bill and director of the campaign for environmental literacy.

The summary states that at full funding, the program would help support the development, implementation and assessment of between 50 and 200 sustainable programs at higher education institutions across the nation. The bill, which would amend the Higher Education Act, would provide funding for projects such as energy management, green building practices and sustainable transportation.

Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer introduced the bill in the House of Representatives on Sept. 24. The bill is idea that germinated in both PSU and the congressman’s office, said Jennifer Allen, associate professor of graduate studies and research at PSU.

“The idea did emerge through discussions with PSU and Congressman Blumenauer’s office,” Allen said. “It’s been in the works over the last couple years in terms of developing the concept. PSU’s interest and investment in sustainability really brought a lot of credibility with the congressman’s office.”

PSU has been very involved through the bill’s conceptual stages, she said.

During a visit to campus on Oct. 26, Blumenauer said the bill would be voted on after the New Year.

“It’s our goal to fold [the bill] into higher education after the first of year,” Blumenauer said. Progress has been delayed, Blumenauer said, in order to help garner support for the bill.

“Academics, businesses and environmentalists are intrigued. The more we can bet on this, the better off we’ll do,” he said.

PSU is taking extra steps to ensure that kind of support is met, said Jesse Cornett, PSU interim assistant to the president for government relations.

“We’re very specially working with university partners to mention this concept to their legislators,” Cornett said. “We’re playing a slightly more active role. This is what we’re doing differently. This is something we believe in. It was an idea that came from PSU that would benefit many universities.”

PSU has also been in close contact with Oregon U.S. congressman David Wu’s (D-OR) office, Cornett said. Congressman Wu introduced the bill alongside Blumenauer, Rick Boucher (D-VA) and Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) in September.

Because of PSU’s close ties to the bill, the university has a certain responsibility toward it, Cornett said.

A significant difference between PSU and other universities supporting the bill has been PSU’s support for sustainability research and curriculum programs, Allen said. There are multiple buildings on the PSU campus that are known for sustainability, such as the eco-roof on the Broadway Housing Building or the eco-friendly Stephen E. Epler Hall.

“There weren’t really any dissenters, but I believe PSU is also particularly supportive of making sure the research and curriculum around sustainability is supported as well as campus operations,” Allen said. “They need to provide support–PSU was the most vocal in saying ‘make sure it includes that part of it, too.'”

Blumenauer previously sponsored the Higher Education Sustainability Act in 2005, but the bill was voted down by a narrow margin.

The bill is supported by both political parties, Allen said.

“I think it’s been bipartisan,” she said. “It had come up before, it’s true now and before. Just right now, the context for a lot of issues is making opportunities like this even more pertinent and relevant at the national level.”