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http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=123438170028068100

Oregon will aggressively compete for $37 billion in grants included in the federal economic stimulus package working its way through Congress, Gov. Ted Kulongoski said Wednesday morning.

Kulongoski told reporters at Portland State University that he would appoint an Oregon Way Advisory Group to solicit project proposals from around the state and review them before they are submitted to the federal government.

“Even in difficult times, good things can happen,” said Kulongoski, stressing that many, if not most of the projects, will include sustainable elements to help train the so-called green workers for future jobs.

Kulongoski cited several projects that might get in line quickly for federal funding, including construction of a new prison and state hospital in Junction City, and relocating Vernonia High School and building a new wastewater treatment plant in that Columbia County town on the Nehalem River that was hit by floods in December 2007.

Kulongoski said the project would include solar energy panels, green roofs and other sustainable development features.

Portland developer Mark Edlen joined Kulongoski at the announcement and said the state was well positioned to benefit from the federal stimulus package.

“Oregon is already a leader in the field of sustainable development, and now we have a president and administration that believes in creating green jobs,” said Edlen of the Gerding Edlen development company.

Kulongoski said the U.S. Senate and House reached as tentative agreement Wednesday morning on the $789 billion stimulus package, although he was not aware of the details. A second round of talks on the plan was set Wednesday afternoon before a revised bill could be sent to the House for a vote.