Governors Urge Action to Secure a Clean Energy Future

The four governors - two Republicans and two Democrats - released a report today declaring America's current energy path "unacceptable because of escalating economic risk and serious environmental consequences."

Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty opened the summit, saying, "America is the world's leading consumer of petroleum, using more than 7.6 billion barrels of oil a year, of which more than 60 percent is imported. If we're to wrestle back control of our own energy future, America must devote serious attention to increasing development of alternative fuels and clean vehicles. As this conference demonstrates, governors are leading the way."

Governor Pawlenty, a Republican, chairs the National Governors Association this year. Each year the incoming chair selects an initiative to focus on - his choice was Securing a Clean Energy Future.

In his forward to the new report, "A Call to Action," Governor Pawlenty says, "Our country is too dependent on foreign sources of energy. By 2030, we will be providing only 65 percent of our own energy needs - 35 percent will come from foreign sources, mostly oil."

"Our total energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are projected to increase more than 25 percent by 2030," he writes. "Continuing down this dangerous pathway risks our economic wellbeing, energy security, environmental future, and quality of life."

"America is at a tipping point," Pawlenty writes. "As has happened at other key moments in our nation's history, the public is ahead of policymakers, with citizens seeking strong leadership for a new direction."

"As some of this country's leading policymakers, my colleagues and I have a unique opportunity to move the United States toward a cleaner, more independent, more secure energy future. That's why as chair of the National Governors Association, I'm launching a yearlong initiative - Securing a Clean Energy Future - to enlist the efforts of all governors to make our nation a global leader in energy efficiency, clean technology, energy research, and the deployment of alternative fuels."

"For too long myths and hearsay have prevented meaningful action on these issues," said Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana, a Democrat. "But governors are taking action. I'm proud to be here today with my colleagues to continue our work addressing our nation's shared energy challenges."

During the next year, Securing a Clean Energy Future's gubernatorial task force will identify and implement approaches that use energy resources better through efficiency and conservation, and promote non-petroleum-based fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.

The task force will take "reasonable" steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and accelerate research and development of advanced clean energy technologies.

The report aims to dispel myths associated with increasing alternative energy sources, breaking our oil addiction, meeting surging electricity demand, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The first myth is that alternative energy is more expensive energy. In fact, the report says, "In a carbon-constrained future, clean energy will be increasingly cost-competitive. As state and federal policymakers move to regulate carbon dioxide emissions, clean alternative sources will become cost-competitive."

The second myth is that American cannot break its oil addiction. In fact, the report says, "While transportation accounts for approximately two-thirds of our oil use, several promising fuels are making inroads."

Governor Tim Pawlenty displayed this ethanol powered car in front of the state capitol last December to increase Minnesotans’ use of the E-85 fuel mix. (Photo courtesy DOT Minnesota)

Corn-based ethanol has limited potential, because corn crops are needed for food, the report recognizes. Biodiesel, advanced petroleum diesel, plug-in hybrids are better in the short term, while hydrogen fuel cells and cellulosic ethanol produced from straw and plant waste hold the greatest promise for the future, according to the report.

Myth #3 says that we need hundreds of new power plants. In fact, the report states that energy efficiency and conservation can reduce the need for new power plants.

Myth #4 says climate change has progressed too far and is now inevitable because humans cannot reduce greenhouse gases quickly enough to make a difference. In fact, the report says, "Although some warming is inevitable, that is not an excuse for inaction or hesitation."

"In Florida we are working to increase our energy efficiency and our use and production of ethanol and other alternative fuels for our vehicles," said Governor Crist, a Republican. "As we learn from the successes of other states, we strengthen Florida's position as a leader in reducing carbon emissions and addressing global climate change."

SCEF Initiative Co-Chair Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, said, "Kansas is making great strides in the production, consumption, and promotion of biofuels. I look forward to working with governors across the country to reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil."

At the meeting the governors announced a clean energy partnership with Discovery Communications - home of the Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet.

Governor Pawlenty unveiled the first product of this partnership - a public service announcement that demonstrates simple actions people can take to reduce their overall energy consumption that will begin airing on Discovery's networks in 2008.

Next year, Discovery Home channel will become Planet Green - the first 24-hour eco-lifestyle channel, providing tools, information and content that are intended to enlighten, empower and entertain.

Governor Pawlenty and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley are honorary board members of Planet Green.

This is the first of three summits planned by the SCEF Initiative. In 2008, summits will focus on the role of states in encouraging research, development and deployment of clean energy technologies and also look at options to promote clean power generation and energy efficiency.

The Securing a Clean Energy Future Initiative's report, "A Call to Action" is online at: http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/0712SCEFCALLTOACTION.PDF

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