SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Governors from 17 states said Tuesday that they will work together to develop cleaner energy and transportation as they look to lead a national shift to renewable fuels.
The states vary widely in their approach and sources of fuel, but the bipartisan group said its goal is to cooperate on planning and policies.
The pact — known as the Governors’ Accord for a New Energy Future — calls for embracing new energy solutions to expand the economy and protect the health of communities and natural resources.
“We believe that this is a robust driver of economic growth, not a brake on economic growth,” Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee said in a conference call with reporters.
The governors purposely avoided mentioning the divisive issue of climate change and instead concentrated on how states can cooperate, California Gov. Jerry Brown said.
He said that includes building more sophisticated, energy-efficient regional electrical grids; pooling buying power to get cheaper clean-energy vehicles for state fleets; and lobbying the federal government for more research and development on energy storage, clean fuels and the electric grid.
Other participating governors are from Delaware, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.
Senior advisers of the governors expect to meet soon to discuss the initial steps to meet the goals.
“The Governors’ Accord for a New Energy Future highlights the tremendous opportunities to create a shared clean, affordable and resilient energy future,” said Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. “Massachusetts will continue to lead the way on clean energy, energy efficiency and the adoption of innovative technologies such as energy storage. These efforts, and our legislative proposal to bring additional hydroelectricity and other renewable resources into the region, will ensure we meet our ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction targets while also creating a stronger economy for the Commonwealth.”
“This accord will allow us to collaborate with like-minded governors to create innovative clean energy policy and ensure a stronger national energy future,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Joining the accord reaffirms our commitment to diversifying the Commonwealth’s energy portfolio, supporting new energy technologies, and meeting our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2020.”
“Through this collaborative, bipartisan platform, we can work together with other clean energy leaders to strengthen our economy, protect public health and natural resources, and increase energy security,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “This new commitment builds on the Commonwealth’s forward-thinking leadership in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy, and addressing the pressing threat of climate change.”
