Transportation and climate change are two of the Governor's priorities for the 2009 session. Since transportation accounts for nearly 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, the Governor will propose a comprehensive transportation package that is greener, safer and more strategic than anything we have done before.

As a state, we have led by example. Recently, our fleet received the 2007 Environmental Leadership Award at the National Conference of State Fleet Administrators for its contributions to advance and use alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles. We are proud that almost 30 percent of Oregon's fleet already is alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles and that percentage will continue to grow as we transition older vehicles out of our fleet.

To take the next step in leadership by state example, the Governor has requested that state agencies develop a pilot program to convert several state hybrids to plug-in electric vehicles in 2008. The plug-in electric capability can greatly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of vehicles. To date, the Department of Administrative Services, Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Department of Energy have taken up the challenge and identified vehicles for the program. The Governor hopes that other agencies will join in this pilot initiative. In addition, the pilot program will work with partners to install electric charging infrastructure to enable these vehicles, as well as private sector plug-in hybrids, to expand their range.

Vehicle manufacturers have committed to producing plug-in electric vehicles by 2010 and our early actions will help us build infrastructure and momentum for the new technologies. Together, we can invest in transportation and face up to the challenge of climate change.