The National Governors Association (NGA) yesterday officially launched its “Securing a Clean Energy Future” initiative. The program will enlist the efforts of all governors to enact clean energy policies at the state level. According to NGA, the initiative has the potential to significantly alter the landscape of clean energy policy in the U.S. by serving as the first bipartisan, governor-led effort of this magnitude. A task force of governors representing a cross-section of the country will guide the group’s efforts.
“Many governors are already working in their respective states to improve energy conservation and efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy,’ said Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, co-chair of NGA with Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. “This initiative broadens that commitment already underway at the state level and will further meaningful clean energy policies across the country,” she added.
As part of its initiative, NGA will develop and distribute a number of tools – including guides, reports, regional workshops and national summits – to help governors understand the specific energy challenges in their states and implement appropriate policy solutions.. The initiative also will emphasize the role public-private partnerships can have to generate increased use of clean energy and advanced energy technologies.
In addition to seeking public-private partnerships, Dept. of Energy (DOE) Secretary, Samuel W. Bodman, joined Sebelius and Pawlenty at a news conference to announce that DOE will provide $610,000 to support NGA’s work to enact meaningful energy policies at the state level, increasing state and federal collaboration. DOE will invest $550,000 in NGA’s clean energyinitiative and $60,000 to support NGA’s efforts to increase electricity assurance.
More information is available at the Securing a Clean Energy Future website.