logo

News

Select a news topic from the list below, then select a news article to read.

Western Governors Leading the Way on Energy, Not Waiting on Washington

on .

SALT LAKE CITY - When it comes to developing a cogent, bipartisan national energy strategy, Western governors are not leaving it to Washington.  That was one of the key messages today at the Utah Energy Development Summit hosted by Gov. Gary R. Herbert, Chairman of the Western Governors' Association.

"From each employee who brings home a paycheck, to the millions of dollars in economic impact, the energy industry is a vital component of a strong and growing economy," Governor Herbert said.  "In all our efforts working together to advance the energy future of western states, our ultimate goal is responsible, balanced development of the energy resources."

WGA Wildlife Council developing west-wide wildlife map and display tool; December 2012 Business Meeting Summary now available

on .

DENVER -- The Western Governors’ Wildlife Council (WGWC) is advancing its effort to develop a west-wide Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool, the Wildlife Council announced today.

By finalizing a contract with Applied Geographics, a firm that specializes in creating user-friendly interfaces for complex GIS data, the Wildlife Council has set the wheels in motion for an online wildlife mapping tool that will debut by December 2013. The viewer will display information on important wildlife habitat and corridors across 16 western states in the WGWC’s Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool, or CHAT.

Western Governors Emphasize Need for Short- and Long-term Strategies, Preparedness at National Drought Forum

on .

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Speaking at the National Drought Forum held here today, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback emphasized the critical importance of water resources in the arid West and actions states have taken or that are needed to be adequately prepared.

"The moderate to exceptional drought conditions we've seen this year in Kansas and throughout much of the West are hurting communities, economies, agriculture and the quality of life," Brownback said. "Drought impacts next year could be far more severe, especially given the reservoir storage in many basins has been depleted. In Kansas, we revised our drought operations plan; identified tools to meet emergency water needs; and looked for ways we could better prepare for the next drought.

 

Western Governors Ask Congress to Extend Wind Energy Tax Credit in the Short Run, Look at Repealing Federal Energy Subsidies in the Long Run

on .

DENVER -- Western governors today called on Congress to extend the Production Tax Credit for wind energy rather than let it expire at the end of December.

In a letter to the U.S. House and Senate leaders, Western governors said that extending the credit now is critical to achieving the country's clean energy goals, building the nation's manufacturing base, creating jobs, lowering energy costs, and strengthening domestic energy security.