Development of a State Strategy Promoting Sustainability in Internal State Government Operations

     WHEREAS the unique natural qualities of the Pacific Northwest are unparalleled in the world and state government, as a large employer and facilities manager, impacts these qualities through its internal state government operations;

     WHEREAS the people of the State of Oregon have a long history of finding innovative solutions to the most challenging and complex problems;

     WHEREAS the State of Oregon strategic plan, Oregon Shines, reflects values that balance community, environmental and economic aspects of life in Oregon;

     WHEREAS analysis of current trends described by the Oregon Benchmarks and by the Oregon State of the Environment Report shows significant threats to quality of life and environmental and economic sustainability;

     WHEREAS the State of Oregon aspires to learn from the leadership of private industry, business, labor, educational institutions and other governments in addressing the goal of sustainable development;

     WHEREAS it is the goal of the State of Oregon to increase efficiency in state government, cut long-term costs associated with state programs and save taxpayer dollars; and

     WHEREAS this complex challenge is evolving, it is believed there are important steps the State of Oregon can take now to amend internal government operations to meet important goals.

THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED:

The State of Oregon shall develop and promote policies and programs that will assist Oregon to meet a goal of sustainability within one generation - - by 2025.

A number of significant steps will be necessary to achieve a sustainable future and will require the participation of all Oregonians. As an initial effort under this executive order, the State of Oregon shall focus on improving its internal operations as state government’s first step toward meeting the goal of sustainability. This step is the first of many to be taken as we advance the state toward a sustainable future.

The State of Oregon adopts the following definition, goals and guidelines to promote sustainability.

Definition

Sustainability means using, developing and protecting resources at a rate and in a manner that enables people to meet their current needs and also provides that future generations can meet their own needs. Sustainability requires simultaneously meeting environmental, economic and community needs.

Goals

1. Increase the economic viability of all Oregon communities and citizens;
2. Increase the efficiency with which energy, water, material resources and land are used;
3. Reduce releases to air, water and land of substances harmful to human health and the environment; and
4. Reduce adverse impacts on natural habitats and species.

Guidelines

As the State of Oregon works toward sustainability, the state shall:

1. Employ the knowledge, expertise and creativity of Oregon’s citizens in developing solutions;
2. Build upon existing private and public efforts throughout the state to ensure efficient and complementary results;
3. Integrate efforts in ways that enhance the effectiveness of new and existing efforts;
4. Collaborate and cooperate to remove barriers and find solutions;
5. Emphasize on-going learning and adaptive management as techniques needed to inform and improve the process continually;
6. Develop voluntary, incentive-based and performance-oriented systems to supplement traditional regulatory approaches;
7. Seek to understand the full costs and benefits of possible actions to ensure that decisions are fully informed;
8. Using good science, measure resource use, environmental health and costs to determine progress in achieving desired outcomes; and
9. Establish clear, measurable goals and targets to guide state efforts toward sustainability.

THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED:

All state agencies and employees are expected to take actions to promote sustainable practices within state government. As an initial step, the Department of Administrative Services, with its central role in state buildings, procurement and communication, shall lead efforts focused on internal government operations. The following specific actions shall be taken under this executive order:

1. Adopt Sustainability Practices within State Government Operations to Demonstrate how to Reduce Waste

The Governor designates the Department of Administrative Services as the leader in implementing early sustainability measures in such areas as: facilities construction and operations; purchasing; energy usage; vehicle use and maintenance; information systems operations; and publishing and distribution.

The Department of Administrative Services, in collaboration with other state agencies, shall implement the following objectives:

1. Within six months following the date of this order, the Department of Administrative Services shall adopt sustainable facilities standards and guidelines. These shall guide the siting, design, construction, deconstruction, operation and maintenance of state buildings and landscapes, and the selection, terms and conditions for state leaseholds. The department shall:


1. Review and consider sustainable facilities standards, practices and principles employed by businesses, educational institutions and other governments;
2. Obtain input from the existing Central Facilities Planning Committee and the existing Capital Projects Advisory Board, organized for state facilities coordination under ORS 276.227;
3. Review and update state sustainable facilities standards and guidelines at least biennially; and
4. Track and report key sustainable facilities performance elements through the existing State Facilities Coordination Program.


2. The Department of Administrative Services shall use the North Mall Complex design, construction and maintenance as a pilot project to employ and evaluate sustainability methods and programs. The facility design shall employ a wide range of compatible, reliable sustainability actions. Where feasible, it shall test such programs and standards as the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.



3. The Department of Administrative Services shall expand state government purchasing power by aggressively entering into joint bidding agreements with other state and local governments and with multi-government purchasing alliances, and by encouraging local governments to access resulting low-price, high-value purchase agreements that promote sustainability. This will make sustainable products and services more widely available to local governments.



4. To the extent that it is effective and practical to do so, the Department of Administrative Services shall take immediate action to purchase electrical energy from renewable resources such as wind, solar, geothermal and biomass. In the immediate future, this shall involve purchasing green power from private utilities as appropriate; beginning October 2001, this shall involve purchasing green power through direct access to the power generation market.



5. The Department of Administrative Services shall appoint a Sustainable Supplier Council. In consultation with the council, the department, by June 2001, shall develop sustainability purchasing policies, targets and benchmarks for each of the following areas: paper products; building construction; cleaning products and coatings; general purpose motor vehicles and office furniture. In determining benchmarks, the council shall consider benefits and costs that could arise as a result of purchasing sustainable alternatives.
   
   The Department of Administrative Services shall develop, based on its experience in implementing the preceding objectives, appropriate mechanisms to assist other state agencies in efficiently achieving sustainable internal operations. Mechanisms may include replication of department procedures or collaboration on the development of alternative approaches. In this effort, the department shall consult with the sustainability work group.
   
   The Department of Administrative Services shall report biennially to the Governor and the Legislative Assembly on actions taken to promote sustainability. The first such report shall be submitted by December 15, 2000 and shall address actions taken by the Department of Administrative Services and other state agencies to implement this executive order.



2. Create a Sustainability Work Group

To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of efforts related to the sustainability of state operations, the Governor shall assemble a Sustainability Work Group comprising representatives of the Legislative Assembly, state agencies, business, natural resources industry and environmental interests, labor, education and local government for the purpose of providing evaluations, recommendations and feedback on state efforts. The work group shall also be asked to develop options for additional steps the state can take to promote sustainability. Staffing for the work group shall be coordinated by the Governor's office. The work group shall present a first report to the Governor and the Legislative Assembly by December 15, 2000, with a final report due by June 1, 2001.



3. Assess Options for Sustainability Indicators and Targets

The Oregon Progress Board shall evaluate potential measures, including Oregon Benchmarks and the State of the Environment Report, for their effectiveness in measuring progress toward sustainability. In this evaluation, the Progress Board shall consult with the Sustainability Work Group and with the Department of Administrative Services. The Progress Board shall report to the Governor and Legislative Assembly on their findings as part of the board’s biennial reporting process.



4. Conduct Business, Community and Public Outreach

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY OUTREACH

In order for state government to develop sustainable internal operations and assist local organizations to do the same, the Economic and Community Development Department, after consultation with the Economic and Community Development Commission, other Community Solutions Team agencies and other appropriate state agencies, shall develop and implement strategies to accomplish the following actions:

1. Develop partnerships among state and local governments, businesses and communities that support and promote sustainability;



2. Coordinate efforts to better market sustainable products, industries and services from Oregon and encourage development of environmental technologies;



3. Develop a range of resources to support organizations adopting sustainable practices. These resources may include training and educational opportunities, electronically available information, case studies and other services of greatest value to businesses, communities and other organizations;



4. Intensify efforts to increase the economic stability of communities designated as "economically distressed;"and



5. Evaluate a range of incentives that would make investments in sustainably-oriented businesses and practices more attractive.
   
   By September 30, 2000, the Economic and Community Development Department shall prepare and submit to the Sustainability Work Group for its review a plan to encourage businesses and communities throughout the state to learn about and voluntarily adopt sustainable practices.
   
   By December 15, 2000, the Economic and Community Development Department shall prepare and submit to the Governor and the Legislative Assembly a report on the actions taken to implement this executive order.

PUBLIC OUTREACH

The Governor's office, the Department of Administrative Services and the Economic and Community Development Department shall, after consultation with the Sustainability Work Group, develop and maintain Internet web sites describing the plans, actions and accomplishments of state agencies and highlighting examples of successful sustainability practices from the public and private sectors. In addition, these entities, in collaboration with the Sustainability Work Group, shall develop and implement short-term plans to communicate with the general public about the state's efforts to promote sustainability.



5. Pursue Further Efforts

The State of Oregon, in cooperation with businesses, non-profit organizations, local governments and other citizens, will pursue further actions in an on-going effort to meet the goals and principles outlined in this executive order. The Governor, in subsequent orders and directives, may announce additional objectives to be pursued by agencies. Directives may also identify steps to ensure broad public participation in this sustainability effort.

Done before me at Salem, Oregon, this 17th day of May, 2000.

John A. Kitzhaber, M.D.
GOVERNOR

ATTEST:

Bill Bradbury
SECRETARY OF STATE

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2003 Executive Order
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