Four Governors Order Their States to Save Energy, Use Biofuels

November 30, 2005

Governors throughout the country have been wielding their powers of executive order in recent weeks, as state agencies in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Texas have been ordered to save energy and New York state agencies have been ordered to use biofuels. On November 21st in Wisconsin, Governor Jim Doyle ordered the state's executive branch agencies to hold their energy use to minimum practical levels and directed the Secretary of Administration to issue energy conservation guidelines. In Minnesota, Governor Tim Pawlenty ordered all state agencies to cut energy use in state-owned buildings by 10 percent over the next year. And in Texas, Governor Rick Perry has ordered state agencies to submit energy conservation plans by December 1st. See the executive orders from Governor Doyle, Governor Pawlenty and Governor Perry.

In New York, Governor George Pataki issued an executive order on November 20th that requires all state agencies and public authorities to increase their purchase and use of biofuels for heating their facilities and fueling their vehicles. The order mandates that by 2007, biodiesel must supply 2 percent of the fuel used in the state fleet, increasing to 10 percent by 2012, at which time biodiesel will also supply at least 5 percent of the heating fuel used in state buildings. See the governor's press release.