Twelve States Pool Resources to Promote Clean Energy

Twelve states have joined together to create the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA), a non-profit organization to promote new, multi-state clean energy projects and investments. The participating states (California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin) have pooled the resources of 17 funding groups to provide an estimated $3.5 billion for joint efforts over the next ten years. The funds are provided by public agencies, state governments, non-profits and others that manage public funding for clean energy.

Contact: Kara Colton
Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Division

http://www.nga.org/center/frontAndCenter/1,1188,C_FRONT_CENTER%5ED_6497,00.html

The states hope that by working together they will reduce the costs of individual state programs, build larger clean energy markets with new job prospects, spur technological innovation, and more quickly clean up the environment. Specifically, CESA will focus on promoting solar, wind, and fuel cell initiatives.

Already, several joint projects have been established. These include:

* Building a multi-state public education campaign.

* Developing fuel cell and hydrogen programs.

* Sharing best practices on funding strategies.

* Identifying collaborative issues with the solar industry.

* Improving monitoring and evaluation efforts.

Related Links:

* Clean Energy States Alliance Press Release http://www.cleanenergystates.org/library/Press/CESA%20Press%20Release%20-%2001.29.04.Final.pdf