Western Governors Call for Putting Carbon Sequestration Technology on a Fast Track(6/10/07)

Western Governors Call for Putting 
Carbon Sequestration Technology on a Fast Track

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2007
Contact: Rich Halvey, 720-308-2574 or 303-522-8177

 Deadwood, S.D. - Western Governors at their Annual Meeting today said they will work with Congress and the Administration to put carbon sequestration technology on a fast track. They called for tax credits and the necessary funding to expedite large-scale projects, identify and develop the pipeline infrastructure needed and resolve issues related to risk and liability.

Gov. Mike Rounds (S.D.), Chairman of the Western Governors- Association, opened the meeting with a discussion on the economics and policies needed to safely and permanently store carbon dioxide underground. Following the session, they adopted a policy resolution, Transitioning the West to Clean Energy and Energy Security, which outlines actions that will advance not only carbon sequestration, but also the region-s vast, clean energy resources.

The governors also released a report detailing the progress states have made on the clean-energy front in just over two years.

The theme of this meeting is Making the West the Best and Western governors are doing just that when it comes to developing our clean, diverse energy resources in ways that also make sense economically, Rounds said.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal ( Wyo.), WGA Vice Chairman and a lead governor for energy issues, moderated the opening session on carbon sequestration.

There are a large number of uncertainties surrounding carbon sequestration, Gov. Freudenthal said. Among the questions that have to be answered is how long will it take to complete large-scale testing. We also have to get a handle on the costs and how those costs are allocated to ratepayers and others.

In their resolution, the governors called for adequate federal funding to support carbon sequestration studies and testing. The resolution also identified a number of other issues that need to be addressed or actions WGA will take to help the region continue its transition to a clean and secure energy future:

WGA will work with all levels of government, non-profit groups and the private sector, such as homebuilders, to find more expeditious ways to achieve energy efficiency savings from residential and public buildings. An Energy Efficient Building Workshop will be held next month in Denver.

• Governors directed staff to work with stakeholders to accelerate deployment of near-zero, advanced coal technologies.
• Congress will be asked to implement and expand some of the federal tax credits embodied in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, especially recognizing that a wide range of near-zero emissions coal technologies should be eligible for credits.
• Congressional funding will be sought for research and development of new turbine advancements for traditional hydro power and for emerging hydrokinetic ocean technologies.
• Governors will advise Congress that if it adopts a federal renewable portfolio standard, it should not limit any state-s ability to develop the most advantageous mix of clean energy resources. The resolution was specific that no one required to meet a federal renewable portfolio standard should be exempted from meeting state standards.

Gov. Rounds said the progress report released today demonstrates the West is on track to more than double its clean energy targets set last year.

The report clearly shows that Western governors, state legislators, utilities and citizens have all come together to do their part in moving the region closer to our goals of 30,000 megawatts of clean, diverse electricity, a 20 percent increase in energy efficiency and ensuring adequate transmission infrastructure, Rounds said.

The potential for the West is astounding, he said. We have seven of the top 10 wind producing states, nearly 100 percent of the nation-s geothermal generation, and abundant solar, biomass and coal resources to power the West well into the future.

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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