Energy and Environmental Policy News (April 16-20)

Democratic Governors Promote Renewable Energy. Coal, natural gas and renewable energy sources should all be on the table in a nationwide, unified effort to achieve energy independence in a time of climate change. That was the rallying cry of governors at the Utah Energy Summit. Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal challenged Americans and the federal government to seek solutions to energy security and carbon sequestration. Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer warned that “we will lose this country” if energy independence is not achieved. In Colorado, Gov. Bill Ritter unveiled renewable energy initiatives. Read more

CO – Ritter Enacts Energy Measures. Calling it a centerpiece of his first 100 days in office, Gov. Bill Ritter signed a package of renewable energy bills and appointed a climate change adviser. “We’ve accomplished a lot in a short period of time,” Ritter said, citing increased use of renewable energy, easier financing of transmission lines from wind farms, quadrupling the number of ethanol fuel pumps in the state and a new wind-blade manufacturing plant. Read more

IA – Culver Pushes Power Fund. Gov. Chet Culver remains optimistic that the Legislature will pass the Iowa Power Fund, which he said is “a chance for this Legislature to have a signature piece of legislation that we can all be proud of.” With impacts of $8 billion to the state economy and 53,000 jobs, Culver said “the ethanol boom and the biodiesel boom has been great for our state,” but said diversification beyond those pieces remains crucial. With the $100 million fund to steer to more cutting-edge research and development for renewable fuels, Iowa could “create the Silicon Valley of the Midwest,” he said. Read more

KS – Sebelius Creates Incentives for Renewable Energy Production. To encourage production of renewable energy in Kansas, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has approved tax incentives for biofuels production and projects that produce electricity from heat that would otherwise be wasted. “We have a real opportunity to lead the nation in renewable energy research and production. Our biofuels industry is growing and we’re making advances in finding new ways to generate electricity that don’t use fossil fuels. These tax incentives will help continue that progress,” Sebelius said. Read more

MA – Patrick Orders Agencies to go Green. Gov. Deval Patrick ordered state agencies Wednesday to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent in five years in the most recent of several “green” moves made early in his administration. The governor said 170 light bulbs in his office have been replaced with compact fluorescent bulbs. In total, 1,000 bulbs will be changed at the Statehouse, eventually resulting in a savings of $15,000 per year in energy costs and fewer carbon emissions. “It’s a small start, but such small starts add up to big savings in our pocketbooks and for our environment,” Patrick said. Read more

MD – O’Malley Kicks off Earth Day Events. Governor Martin O’Malley is on the Eastern Shore today to learn more about farms and the environment. He’ll get a first-hand look at agriculture research projects such as a chicken house that reduces ammonia emissions. The visits are tied to the administration’s celebration of Earth Day, Saturday the 22nd. Read more

ME – Baldacci Pledges Carbon Cuts. Gov. John Baldacci pledged to do his part in cutting carbon dioxide emissions in Maine. “We accept the challenge,” he told an enthusiastic rally. Baldacci mingled with student activists from across Maine who participated in a national Step It Up campaign to raise awareness of the threat of global climate change and pressure politicians to do more about it. “We’re in synch,” Baldacci said, after the crowd applauded his endorsement of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which involves nine northeastern states in efforts to curb harmful pollution. Read more

WV – Manchin Hosts Energy Independence Summit. During a three-day energy summit, governors from southern states gathered to discuss the critical issue of “American Energy Security.” The event was hosted by West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin. One of the goals of this unified project is to identify energy resources each state has to offer, and then inventory these resources. Manchin’s vision is the utilization of a mix of America’s natural resources to power the country’s fuel needs. “We discussed how, together, the country can move to energy security,” Manchin said, emphasizing this goal “must be achieved for our children and our grandchildren.” Read more

Copyright & Paid for by The Democratic Governors Association

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