Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) is drafting an executive order that would require the state government to conduct its business in an environmentally sustainable manner, another step forward in a state that passed the nation’s first bottle recycling bill and is known for its progressive land-use planning. The details of the executive order have yet to be worked out, but Paula Burgess, Kitzhaber’s assistant for natural resources, said it could require state agencies to buy recycled, nontoxic, or biodegradable goods, and become more efficient users of energy and water. The administration could also ask the legislature to make tax and regulatory changes designed to encourage landowners and businesses to live more sustainably, Burgess said. Kitzhaber said earlier this week that it might be appropriate for state agencies to follow the Natural Step, a set of guidelines designed to help businesses reduce their environmental footprint.
