PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Alexander Karsner today announced that DOE will provide $850,000 this fiscal year to support the National Governors Association’s (NGA) work to enact energy policies at the state level that will help develop and deploy cleaner sources of energy to power America’s vehicles, homes and workplaces more efficiently. Assistant Secretary Karsner made the announcement alongside NGA Chair Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and incoming NGA Chair Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania.

“Today’s announcement furthers the unprecedented energy cooperation between DOE and the Nation’s governors as we work together to advance clean, reliable and affordable supplies of energy,” DOE Assistant Secretary Alexander Karsner said. “States play critical role in adopting and implementing energy policies that address the serious challenge of global climate change while enhancing our economic growth and increased energy security.”

In 2008, DOE will provide up to $850,000 to support NGA’s Securing a Clean Energy Future Initiative and efforts to increase state electricity reliability.  With the help of DOE funding last year, the initiative was developed to promote comprehensive clean energy policies at the state level that use existing energy resources more wisely through efficiency; promote non-petroleum based fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, take reasonable steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and accelerates the research and development of advanced, clean energy technologies. Specifically, this year’s DOE funding will be used to:

• Provide technical support for development of state energy policies;
• Inform states on how to leverage their research and development investments in advanced energy technologies;
• Advise states on how to use public assets and procurement policies to foster the use of advanced energy technologies and practices in the private sector;
• Increase states’ resiliency to energy supply disruptions; and
• Promote future state energy policy dialogues and educational sessions.

For more information on NGA’s Securing a Clean Energy Future Initiative visit the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy or the National Governors Association.

Media contact(s):
Jennifer Scoggins, (202) 586-4940