National Governors Association Launches Clean Energy Initiative

September 19, 2007

The National Governors Association (NGA) committed on September 12th to promoting clean energy policies across the country. The NGA's new "Securing a Clean Energy Future" initiative will enlist the efforts of all governors to enact meaningful clean energy policies at the state level. Specifically, the initiative will promote state policies that encourage energy efficiency and conservation; promote non-petroleum fuels; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and accelerate the research and development of advanced clean energy technologies.

The initiative's efforts will be guided by a task force composed of eight governors that represent a cross-section of the country and that share a common desire to advance clean energy. The task force is chaired by the governors of Kansas and Minnesota and also includes the governors of Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Washington. See the initiative's Web site, and the NGA press release.

DOE is supporting the initiative with a grant of $550,000. In addition, DOE will provide $60,000 for the NGA to conduct forums and workshops on energy assurance and securing the nation's energy infrastructure. DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and Office of Electricity Delivery and Reliability are contributing funds, which will be provided by the end of this month. See the DOE press release.