Energy and Environmental Policy News (April 23-27)

IA – Op Ed: Culver Launches Iowa’s Energy Expedition. In an op-ed column, Gov. Chet Culver galvanizes support for his Power Fund initiative, which will allow Iowa for the first time to invest in and attract cutting-edge research and development related to renewable power. “We are poised for a period of unprecedented economic growth and job creation if we are willing to implement the public policy and provide the leadership to allow these new ideas and innovations to flourish,” Culver wrote. “Let our new 21st century Iowa energy expedition begin.” Read more

MA – Patrick Promotes Green Energy. Gov. Deval Patrick will require private developers to reduce the greenhouse gases that their large-scale projects will produce. Developers will be required to estimate the greenhouse gases their projects would produce, and reduce them with measures like energy efficient lighting or alternative fuels. Patrick also signed an executive order requiring agencies to reduce their energy consumption by 20 percent in five years and 35 percent by 2020. Patrick has committed Massachusetts to the nation’s first multistate program to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Read more

MD – O’Malley Works to Protect Environment. Gov. Martin O’Malley signed into law bills aimed at protecting the environment, including a law tightening car emissions standards and a permanent ban on catching diamondback terrapins. O’Malley also signed a bill to require Maryland to get two percent of its electricity from solar energy by 2022. “The land and the water’s been the heart of our state … and I’m very proud of the steps that we’ve taken,” O’Malley said. Read more

NY – Editorial: Spitzer Energy Plans Welcomed. Gov. Eliot Spitzer, moving at a mile a minute since entering office, announced an energy plan for New York – a big first step in its own right. It seeks to conserve energy, create more alternative sources of energy, break gridlock over the siting of new power plants, and create a state office to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions. Given New York’s dire energy needs, consumption problems, pollution ills and high energy costs, any one of those strategies would be welcome. Reaction to Spitzer’s proposals has been overwhelmingly positive. Read more

TN – Bredesen Hosts Biofuels Conference. Gov. Phil Bredesen has announced the first Governor’s Conference on Biofuels will be held at the end of May. The conference will explore opportunities to make Tennessee a leader in the emerging bio-energy field. “We have an opportunity to make Tennessee a national leader in the development of the alternative fuels market,” said Bredesen. “I am pleased we can bring so many partners together and take advantage of our significant academic and agricultural resources to move Tennessee forward in this important area.” Read more

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