Background on the Higher Education Sustainability Act of 2005

In June, 2004, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), together with colleagues David Wu (D-OR), George Miller (D-CA) and James Greenwood (R-PA) introduced legislation to authorize federal funding for six "Sustainability Centers" at universities across the country for the promotion, development, and implementation of integrated environmental, economic, and social sustainability programs. The bill was referred to the House Committee on
Education and the Workforce, but did not receive any further action during the 108th Congress.

Blumenauer explained his reason for introducing this bill as a desire to help "universities preserve our economic competitiveness and environmental health by promoting sustainable development practices around the nation." Daniel O. Bernstine, President of Portland State University, said: "This legislation is a major step forward in recognizing that sustainable practices can deliver important economic and social benefits, as well as environmental
gains…Congressman Blumenauer and his colleagues are to be commended for recognizing the crucial role that higher education can and must play in developing such practices working collaboratively with business, government, and others. It will help the United States become an international model for sustainable development."

In May, 2005, CEL contacted Blumenauer’s office about modifying the bill and reintroducing it during the 109th Session of Congress. As a result of these discussions, the new 2005 bill expands the number of grant recipients beyond six to several dozen or so (depending on the size of the actual grants made) and also expands eligibility for grants beyond individual schools to include consortia and associations of colleges and universities. These changes give the bill the potential for much broader impact, both on individual colleges and universities as well as on the emerging field of Education for Sustainability itself.