National Governors Association Adopts Energy Policy at Annual Meeting

Friday, August 17, 2001

Providence, RI - A comprehensive national energy policy was adopted at the closing plenary session of the 93rd Annual Meeting of the National Governors Association (NGA), Tuesday, August 7, in Providence, Rhode Island. The NGA Committee on Natural Resources recommended the policy for adoption at their meeting, August 6.

"The policy sends a clear message that solving our nation's energy problems demand more conservation, especially utilizing renewable fuels like ethanol," said Iowa Governor Thomas J. Vilsack, Chair of the Committee on Natural Resources. "Our goal should always be to assure American families and businesses their energy prices will be stable."

The policy recognizes energy and environmental challenges facing the United States, as periodic shortages in oil, gas and electricity cause hardship for consumers and businesses, harm the economy and can reduce national security.

"The United States' dependence on foreign sources of oil is at an all-time high while demand for energy continues to rise," said Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, Vice Chair of the Committee on Natural Resources and past Chairman of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. "Energy issues must be addressed nationally but state and local authority over energy and environmental matters also needs to be maintained. It would be a mistake to develop a national energy policy without full cooperation and partnership with the states and their governors."

The policy also recognizes that as demand for energy continues to grow, energy efficiency is projected to continue to improve. "Even with more conservation, innovation and new technology," the policy states, "the United States will need more energy supplies."

"We must expand and upgrade the transmission networks to move energy from the source to the consumer," said North Dakota Governor John Hoeven. "Improving energy transmission will impact conservation, efficiency and supply." Hoeven also cited that the EPA should provide flexibility in meeting standards and requirements to encourage use of innovative strategies in providing energy solutions.

NGA, founded in 1908, is the instrument through which the nation's governors collectively influence the development and implementation of national policy and apply creative leadership to state issues. Its members are the governors of the 50 states, three territories and two commonwealths.

The full policy is online.

Bibliography:
NGA web site
http://www.nga.org/nga/newsRoom/1,1169,C_PRESS_RELEASE^D_2435,00.html