AIA Oregon is proposing a new piece of legislation in the Oregon senate that would require most state-funded building projects to be LEED Gold certified. To garner support, next Thursday in Salem the chapter is hosting a free half-day event called 'Leadership By Design'. The Bill will be introduced to the legislature at a public hearing that day. To make it easier for supporters to join the effort, AIA Oregon is organizing bus transportation from Portland and Eugene, lunch, and even coaching and talking points for meeting with legislators. As the email that went out to AIA members went, "We need architects, engineers, contractors and developers to meet with senators and representatives (briefly and in small groups) to support our case, and pack the public hearing with supporters."
In addition to the hearing and brief meetings with legislators, Leadership By Design will include exhibits of LEED certified projects in Oregon and industry-leading speakers to round out the day. "If you're holding back because you're unfamiliar with the legislative process, don't worry: logistics and training will be covered... all that's missing is you.Your expertise and involvement are vital. Get involved and make a difference!"
This effort comes on the heels of a major honor for Portland developer Gerding/Edlen, which has been honored by the US Green Building Council for a host of sustainable multi-building urban projects such as the Brewery Blocks and South Waterfront - the news of which also inspired a rousing pro-green building editorial in this morning's Oregonian. The timing is right for the design community to get active politically, especially since green building is resonating with the mainstream in a big way.
Architects are like everybody else: busy, and understandably not always able to devote a whole business day to lobbying in the state capitol. But if you care about design and can make it to Salem, please consider doing so.
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