Oregon Governor Issues 'Commuter Challenge' To Reduce State Government's Carbon Footprint

The Governor’s Commuter Challenge will show the state leading by example in the fight against global warming – and save employees money on gas

June 2, 2008 - (Salem) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today challenged the 8,500 state employees who work in the Capitol Mall area to reduce the state’s carbon footprint by 500,000 pounds of carbon this summer by carpooling, biking, walking, or using mass transit.

“It takes all of us – businesses and individuals – to diminish the threat and consequences of global warming,” Governor Kulongoski said. “The good news is that small changes can deliver big results. By leaving your car at home one day a week – whether it’s walking to work or bicycling to the store on the weekends – we can reduce our footprint and do our part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while saving money.”

The Governor’s goal of 500,000 pounds represents a 2.5 percent reduction in the state’s carbon footprint. Without any changes in commuting behavior, it is estimated that the carbon footprint of Capitol Mall state employees for the summer would be 18 million pounds of carbon.

The Governor participated in the challenge Monday by biking to work and committed to using alternative transportation options throughout the summer. Senate President Peter Courtney also participated by riding a bus to Salem’s downtown transit center and then walking to the State Capitol.

The challenge does not create a new state transportation benefit or program, the Governor pointed out. Each agency on the Capitol Mall has a designated ‘Commuter Challenge’ coordinator who will help employees connect to existing resources, such as Salem-Keizer bus passes, carpool matching and vanpool assistance.

“While this is just three months, I hope that from this challenge we will learn what commuting programs work well and what we can do to encourage smart commuting after September,” the Governor said.

The challenge will run through the summer, ending just before Labor Day. Results will come out in mid-September. Lessons learned from the challenge will be the basis for long-term efforts on how all Oregonians can work together to reduce Oregon’s carbon footprint.

Source: Oregon Governor

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