Elected Leaders on Sustainability to Speak at Summit

I'm pleased to announce that three new speakers from the arenas of state and local government have been confirmed for the Second Annual Summit. I'd like to thank Oregon State Representative Chuck Riley, Washington County Commissioner Dick Schouten, and Forest Grove City Councilor Victoria Lowe for agreeing to join us at this event.

Chuck Riley represents Oregon House District 29, including parts of the Washington County communities of Hillsboro, Cornelius, and Forest Grove. Representative Riley has been a consistent and outspoken supporter of environmental responsibility in the Oregon legislature, particularly on the issue of liquefied natural gas (LNG). As landowners affected by LNG pipelines and environmentalists concerned about LNG's large carbon footprint seek to keep this imported fossil fuel out of Oregon, Rep Riley has been one of our greatest allies in the legislature. It's an honor to have Rep Riley joining us for the Second Annual Sustainbility Summit at Pacific.

Dick Schouten represents the Beaverton/Aloha area on the Washington County Board of Commissioners. Named "the voice of environmental responsibility on the [Washington County] commission" by the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Commissioner Schouten is known for his advocacy of bike-friendly cities and livable communities. At this year's Summit, students and community members will welcome Commissioner Schouten to Pacific University to speak about local environmental leadership for the third year in a row.

Victoria Lowe is a City Councilor for Forest Grove - a city with notable environmental achievements that include becoming the first local government in Oregon to publicly oppose high-carbon LNG in the state. Since Forest Grove's announcement opposing LNG, many other local governments have followed suit and stood up for Oregon's natural environment and farmland. Councilor Lowe's involvement in sustainability issues includes work to keep our waterways clean, and manage Washington County's timber resources in the most sustainable manner possible. It's great to have Councilor Lowe joining us for this year's Summit.