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Portland State University could be one of the only six universities in the country eligible to receive federal funds under the Higher Education Sustainability Act of 2004, proposed by Oregon Representatives Earl Blumenauer and David Wu. The bill authorizes $50 million in federal funding for six "Sustainability Education Centers" at universities across the country that would promote multi-disciplinary education, research and outreach programs addressing environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability.

"Portland State University has made revolutionary advances on its campus, creating programs to promote and teach sustainable practices to the next generation of community leaders," said Rep. Blumenauer. "This bill will help PSU and other universities preserve our economic competitiveness and environmental health by promoting sustainable development practices around the nation."

The model for the legislation was based in part on the operations and academic sustainability initiatives underway at Portland State University. PSU is dedicated to promoting and implementing sustainable practices demonstrated through new course offerings on sustainability, "green" capital construction of new student housing and a new engineering facility, operations policies, multidisciplinary research, public forums and community outreach projects.