The National Governors Association (NGA) Officially Launches Chair’s Initiative: Securing a Clean Energy Future

Initiative First Bipartisan, Governor-Led, National Effort to Promote Clean Energy Policies Across the States

The National Governors Association (NGA) today committed to promoting clean energy policies across the country as NGA Chair Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius officially launched the Securing a Clean Energy Future initiative.

"Our nation has enjoyed more than a hundred years of inexpensive energy, seemingly inexhaustible oil and a relatively forgiving environment," said Gov. Pawlenty. "But America can no longer rely on business-as-usual to meet its energy needs, and the nation’s governors are prepared to lead the way in crafting a sensible, sustainable clean energy future."

Securing a Clean Energy Future will enlist the efforts of all governors to enact meaningful clean energy policies at the state level. The initiative has the potential to significantly alter the landscape of clean energy policy in the United States by serving as the first bipartisan, governor-led effort of this magnitude to address these critical issues. Its efforts will be guided by a task force comprised of forward-looking governors, representing a cross-section of the country, that share a common desire to advance clean energy ideas (full list appears below).

Securing a Clean Energy Future will promote comprehensive clean energy policies at the state level that:

* Use our existing energy resources more wisely through efficiency and conservation;
* Promote non-petroleum based fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel;
* Take reasonable steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
* Accelerate the research and development of advanced, clean energy technologies.

"Many governors are already working in their respective states to improve energy conservation and efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy. This initiative broadens that commitment already underway at the state level and will further meaningful clean energy policies across the country," said Gov. Sebelius.

As part of this 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 policy solutions that address these challenges. The initiative also will emphasize the role of public-private partnerships to generate increased use of clean energy and advanced energy technologies.

In addition to seeking public-private partnerships, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman joined Govs. Pawlenty and Sebelius today 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 Securing a Clean Energy Future Initiative and; $60,000 to support NGA’s critical efforts to increase electricity assurance.

"The Bush Administration shares the NGA’s sense of urgency about increasing our nation’s energy security, and we are eager to jointly advance bold energy policies at the state level," Secretary Bodman said. "States provide the necessary and critical link to ensuring clean, reliable and affordable supplies of energy and the Energy Department challenges local governments to take similar action."

At the conclusion of the press conference, the governors unveiled the Securing a Clean Energy Future Web site. The Web site will serve as a clearinghouse of all initiative news, activities and published materials; house video and photos of initiative events; detail the initiatives schedule and upcoming events; and document clean energy news from across the states.

Gov. Pawlenty concluded the press conference stating, "The challenges are not new, and the solutions are within our reach. It’s time for a new direction—with new leadership and devotion—to solve these challenges. Together I believe we can find and follow a pathway to a better, cleaner, more secure energy future."

Contact: Christopher Cashman, 202-624-7787

For more information, visit the new Securing a Clean Energy Future website at http://www.nga.org/ci

Securing a Clean Energy Task Force:

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Co-Chair
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Co-Chair

Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist
Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle
Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer
Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire

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Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association (NGA) is the collective voice of the nation’s governors and one of Washington, D.C.‘s most respected public policy organizations. Its members are the governors of the 50 states, three territories and two commonwealths. NGA provides governors and their senior staff members with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the Administration on key federal issues to developing and implementing innovative solutions to public policy challenges through the NGA Center for Best Practices. For more information, visit http://www.nga.org.