WGA fall meetings aimed at advancing renewables, near zero-emission coal for electricity and alternative fuels for transportation (8/24/07)
WGA fall meetings aimed at advancing renewables, near zero-emission coal for electricity and alternative fuels for transportation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karen Deike 303-623-9378
August 24, 2007DENVER - Western governors will advance their clean and diversified energy agenda when they convene stakeholders for a summit and two workshops in September and October.
The Western Governors' Association will ask participants to develop consensus recommendations at a summit on how to best increase renewable energy in the Western grid; hold a stakeholder workshop to develop a path forward for near-zero emission coal-powered electricity; and hold a workshop to develop a roadmap for expanding production and use of alternative transportation fuels.
Each of these issues is an important piece of the future energy puzzle, said Gov. Dave Freudenthal ( Wyo.), Chairman of the Western Governors' Association. These meetings are for those who want to work with us in developing recommendations and moving forward based on the best thinking and most comprehensive information available.
The upcoming meetings are:
WGA is co-hosting this summit with the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative and the Geothermal Energy Association on Sept. 27 and 28 in Fort Collins, Colo. Keynotes include Gov. Freudenthal, Gov. Bill Ritter of Colorado, and Jeff Sterba, Chairman, President and CEO of PNM Resources and Chair of the Edison Electric Institute. Joining them will be Jon Wellinghoff, Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner; Tim Meeks, Western Area Power Administration; Yakout Mansour, California Independent System Operator; Steve Wright, Bonneville Power Administration; the heads of major Western load-serving entities; and national and regional experts in renewable generation and transmission.
WGA is hosting a workshop Oct. 10 - 12 in Denver to help develop a roadmap for alternative transportation fuels in the West. Alternative fuels to be discussed include hydrogen, biodiesel, electricity, coal-to-liquid and biofuel. Vehicle fuel efficiency will also be discussed. WGA has released technical reports for the alternative fuels initiative for public comment. This is an opportunity for the public to comment on recommendations and strategies for expanding the portfolio of transportation fuels in the West. The reports are available on WGA's Web site www.westgov.org. Comments are requested by Sept. 3.
This workshop will produce a timeline outlining the research and other activities necessary to achieve, as soon as possible, the widespread deployment of near-zero emission coal with carbon capture and sequestration. WGA is hosting the meeting in Denver on Oct. 23 and 24. Registration is now open and an agenda will be posted soon. Contact Rich Halvey for additional information at 303-623-9378.We need broad public input from all sides on these tough issues Freudenthal said. We've got to set a course and get the entire region working together to implement it.
The meetings are open to the public. Details on the meetings and links to registration are available on the WGA Web site at www.westgov.org.
The Western Governors' Association is an independent, nonprofit organization representing the governors of 19 states and three U.S.-Flag islands in the Pacific. Through their Association, the Western governors identify and address key policy and governance issues in natural resources, the environment, human services, economic development, international relations and public management.
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