Oregon Department of Justice

Oregon Attorney General John Kroger today announced new sustainability measures at the Oregon Department of Justice.

"State government must become a model of responsible conduct toward the environment," Attorney General Kroger said. "These new green measures will take us in the right direction."

The measures will apply state-wide to all Department of Justice Facilities. The Oregon Department of Justice has more than 1,200 employees, including about 300 lawyers, in 24 different office buildings. The measures include steps to reduce the Department's energy use and global warming emissions, use of paper, and the amount of garbage it produces while increasing recycling, energy conservation, and promoting alternative transportation.

The sustainability measures, developed with the help of volunteer employees working as DOJ's Sustainability Committee, represent the first phase of a multi-stage sustainability effort. In addition to promoting sustainability, the adopted measures are also intended to save the Department money at a time of reduced state budgets.

Highlights of the new sustainability measure include:

• Require that future cars in DOJ's vehicle fleet will have a rated fuel efficiency of 45 mpg or greater.
• Require the use of double sided printing and the future purchase of printers with double-sided capabilities with the goal of reducing paper use and cost.
• Create comprehensive recycling centers in all DOJ buildings with the goal of increasing recycling.
• Adopt a policy for the use of green-certified cleaning supplies that protect the health of workers and cleaning staff.

"This is an ideal opportunity to both decrease our environmental footprint and decrease the amount of money we spend on everything from electricity and natural gas to paper and gasoline," Attorney General Kroger said. "I am committed to seeing DOJ play an active role in environmental laws that protect our water, air and land. But we also have a responsibility to set a strong example through our own practices."

Senior Assistant Attorneys General Sheen Wu and Shannon O'Fallon, co-chairs of the DOJ Sustainability Committee agree: "These measures are our first major step, but they will really help set the stage for continuing to identify ways we can more sustainably represent the State of Oregon and our client agencies."

Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department's mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.