WGA Takes Aim at Clean, Diversified Energy for the West

Led by Govs. Bill Richardson and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Western Governors' Association (WGA) announced last week it would support opportunities to develop a clean, secure and diversified energy system for the West and to capitalize on the region's energy resources. The New Mexico and California governors, respectively, are among those represented by the nonprofit WGA.

Western Governors adopted a resolution that builds upon recommendations the governors received from the nearly 700 participants at the North American Energy Summit, held by WGA in April. Among the major goals of the resolution is reaching 30,000 megawatts of clean energy by 2015 and a 20 percent improvement in energy efficiency by 2020.

A new working group will be formed to determine how to reach the above goal while ensuring the region has the necessary generation and transmission capacity. The group will have balanced representation, including state, local and Native American leaders; environmental organizations; state and tribal air quality agencies; the private sector; federal agencies; and representatives from Mexico and Canada. WGA intends to develop a charter and budget and secure funding for the working group by November 2004.

"This region has a unique opportunity to develop clean energy to fuel our growing economy," said Gov. Richardson, WGA Chairman. "We have an enormous potential to improve the efficiency of energy use. The West also has the highest quality solar, wind, and geothermal resources in the nation, and this clean-energy initiative will determine the steps needed to take advantage of this unique opportunity."

The initiative will build on traditional energy resources, while advancing the development of clean energy in the West. It also will stress incentive-based, non-mandatory approaches that will help states achieve their clean and diversified energy goals and will consider federal programs that could assist in the effort.

"California has historically been very aggressive in promoting renewable energy and the highest efficiency energy standards," Gov. Schwarzenegger said. "We have proven that cost-effective efficiency programs can help reduce overall energy use, protect our environment and save consumers in the long run."

In New Mexico, plans to develop a commercial solar power plant are underway, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The state released last week a request for proposals to obtain a consulting firm that could receive up to $190,000 from the state's Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. The firm would consider possible technology, financing and operating arrangements and tax incentives to make solar power more competitive with fossil fuel-generated electricity. Solar power producers in New Mexico already are eligible for a 1 cent per kilowatt-hour state tax incentive, the Journal reports.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal of Wyoming will serve as lead governor for energy policy, along with Richardson and Schwarzenegger, as part of the WGA initiative. A copy of the organization's resolution is available at http://www.westgov.org.