At the NGA, Regional Interests Impact Agreement on National Energy Policies
The National Governors' Association met last weekend in Philadelphia, with Minnesota Governor Tim Gov. Pawlenty's yearlong Securing a Clean Energy Future Initiative (SCEF Initiative) serving as the focus of the meeting.
The meeting started with Pawlenty saying, "The nation's attention has becoming increasingly focused on the growing energy challenges that face us. I'm proud of what we've accomplished as part of the Securing a Clean Energy Future Initiative, but our work is just beginning. It will take continued effort and renewed dedication to ensure that our country has an energy future that is safe, secure and clean."
Governor Ed Rendell told the Governors, "There is no silver bullet available to solve this nation's energy challenges. This will be an all-hands-on-deck, all-technologies-available effort."
But by Monday afternoon, while the NGA did manage to agree that Congress should extend tax credits that encourage more wind and solar electric generation, and promote design and construction of energy-efficient buildings, the Governors in attendance could not agree on reductions of greenhouse gases or other major issues.
In this case, as is often the case in Harrisburg, the differences were not between Republicans and Democrats, but between regions, and local economic needs, a factor seen in Congressional debates over renewable energy resources and programs and a possible precursor of similar debates coming when the next Administration in Washington seeks to put its stamp on a federal energy policy.
According to the NGA, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) told the press, "When we got down to the details, we started to act like Congress, and that's bad." He said that there was some frustration that Pawlenty's (R) "bold" energy proposal fell to the wayside.
Pawlenty conceded that while some regions are going forward with proposals to reduce greenhouse gases, "deep differences" existed among the states. "It's not something that the NGA will probably address on a consensus basis," he said.
Not surprisingly, regional and parochial interests always rear their head in renewable energy discussions. Much of our past national "renewable energy policy" has been driven by the farm lobby and Midwest farm state Congressmen seeking new or continuing markets for corn, soybeans and commodities grown in their regions. On wind issues - and a look at the new T. Boone Pickens proposal confirms this clearly - states on the prairie from Texas north through the Dakotas see dollar signs and economic opportunity. And the clean coal advocates along the Appalachian chain and in the north central states, will continue to push back on programs that exclude development of these natural resources.
At the state level, there's not much difference. Elected officials with oil refineries in their districts will support the oil industry. Legislators from hard coal and soft coal production areas will protect and promote their local resources. And as the recent discussions on the energy package clearly showed, members of the General Assembly with developing and planned energy generating companies in their districts will take the lead in seeking advantages that benefit their constituents every time.
At the NGA, Governors of both parties agreed that the country needs to rely less on foreign oil and develop more renewable energy sources, but the costs of regulating greenhouse gases worry states that produce oil and coal. Both major party presidential candidates, Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, support "cap-and-trade" proposals that allow companies to buy and sell greenhouse gas pollutant credits.
Gov. Rendell, who will serve as NGA chair for 2008-2009, said despite the frustrations, "it's time to look forward" and work with the next president on energy and other issues. "I can't recall a time when the next president is faced with problems of such magnitude," he said.
NGA also announced a new state-industry partnership between the SCEF Initiative and General Motors Corporation (GM) to help states increase availability of E-85 fueling stations. Under the partnership, states will develop a strategy for installing E-85 pumps in key locations. GM will provide technical assistance to states in developing these strategies and will leverage their relationships with the automobile and ethanol industries to help states implement the strategies. Of course, GM is also attempting to lead the pack in production and sales of flex fuel vehicles for personal use.
During the meeting, Gov. Pawlenty released four publications to help ensure the work of the SCEF Initiative continues: (Copies of all are available through links on the PA Energy Resources Group website.)
"Opportunities for States in Clean Energy Research, Development & Demonstration," outlines state roles in this area and is intended to guide states in the crucial decisions they must make about clean energy in the years ahead.
"A Governor's Guide to Clean Power Generation and Energy Efficiency," offers guidance for states to engage in enhanced electricity planning efforts and policies that can drive greater investment in and adoption of efficiency and cleaner power sources.
"Clean and Secure State Energy Actions - 2008," catalogs what all 55 states and territories are doing to advance a cleaner, more secure energy future, highlighting existing policy models other states can replicate.
A new Issue Brief, "Greening State Government: 'Lead by Example' Initiatives," examines current efforts across a range of state government operations to increase energy efficiency and support the use of clean and renewable energy.