DENVER--While leaders from Colorado, New Mexico, Washington and Massachusetts talked about starting to change to a green-centric economy, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Portland)  was able to sit back, relax and list Oregon’s accomplishments in the march toward a green economy.

“There were communities that took the lessons of the oil crisis in the 1970s seriously,” Blumenauer said before a crowd of about 200 people that had gathered at the Rocky Mountain Roundtable presentation on the new energy economy. “Portland started in 1979. And in 1993 we made a commitment to reduce our greenhouse gases, and we’ve seen it make a difference.”

According to Blumenauer, because of Portland’s commitment to reducing emissions, the average Portland family saves about $2,500 in transportation a year, because residents drive 20 percent less than they do in other cities.

Other panelists included U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), U.S Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Gov. Bill Ritter (D-Colo.), U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) and Seattle Mayor Greg Nichols.

The Colorado panelists were especially proud of their efforts that made the Democratic National Convention in Denver one of the greenest ever. Ritter listed Colorado’s accomplishments in the green sector. He also told the group that because of Colorado’s climate, they were working to develop the Centennial State’s sun and wind energy resources.

“The future of this state should be the new energy economy,” Ritter said. “We can carve out energy security by carving out a diverse portfolio of energy options.”

Blumenauer told panelists that even without all the environmental advantages Colorado has, it is still possible to transfer the mindset of a community to a green economy.

“In Oregon we have this horrible weather, and none of those advantages,” Blumenauer said. “But we have the intellectual capability to make it happen.”