May 6, 2010


Throughout the decade, states have launched initiatives to improve energy efficiency, promote alternative energy sources and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Some of these state efforts to transition to clean energy are highlighted in a new report released today by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), Advancing Clean Energy: A Report on the Clean Energy States Grant Program.

The report profiles the work of 12 states, which were selected for participation in the Clean Energy States Grant Program, as part of the Securing a Clean Energy Future Initiative. The program provided states an opportunity to explore and expand new techniques for promoting clean energy, as well as develop and implement their own state programs.

“States are key actors in the push towards a cleaner, more secure energy future,” said John Thomasian, director of the NGA Center. “The accomplishments of these states provide concrete examples of how states from across the country – with varying natural resource and economic conditions – can advance energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean transportation fuels.”

The states profiled in the report took a variety of approaches to advancing clean energy with a focus on: improving energy efficiency in new buildings; improving energy efficiency in existing buildings; expanding renewable electricity generation and distribution; or promoting cleaner transportation fuels and vehicles.

Examples of the progress seen in some of the participating states include:

• Creation of a fully operational carbon emissions offset program;

• A comprehensive study of the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of ethanol from various sources;

• A multi-year strategy for reducing home heating oil use through increased weatherization outreach, training and deployment;

• The design and implementation of a full spectrum of statewide demand reduction and energy efficiency programs;

• Training of one-quarter of a state’s building code officials in energy code enforcement; and

• A GIS-enabled Web application to help identify promising locations for renewable energy resources and transmission needs.

The Clean Energy States Grant Program was funded through the generous support of American Electric Power, Dominion Resources, The Ford Motor Company and The Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Additional funding was provided by the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation to support peer exchanges and the dissemination of lessons learned.

For more information about this and other NGA Center Environment, Energy & Transportation Division efforts, click here:
http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.8274ad9c70a7bd616adcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=75b4d9b834420010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD

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Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association (NGA) is the collective voice of the nation’s governors and one of Washington, D.C.’s most respected public policy organizations. Its members are the governors of the 50 states, three territories and two commonwealths. NGA provides governors and their senior staff members with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the Administration on key federal issues to developing and implementing innovative solutions to public policy challenges through the NGA Center for Best Practices. For more information, visit www.nga.org.