In his first major speech on the environment since taking office, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) promised yesterday that economic concerns would not undermine environmental protections in the state. In a speech to conservationists, the governor pledged to oppose efforts to roll back environmental regulations such as the state Endangered Species Act; to provide sufficient funding for the Department of Environmental Quality and other natural-resources agencies; to promote salmon recovery; and to make the state a leader in energy conservation and renewable energy. The speech was praised by environmentalists, who have been waiting for Kulongoski to make good on campaign promises to protect the environment.
