Western Governors agree on actions to speed development of alternative fuels, improve fuel efficiency (2/23/08)

Western Governors agree on actions to speed
development of alternative fuels, improve fuel efficiency

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
February 23, 2008 
Contact: Gayle Gordon (303) 623-9378

WASHINGTON -- Western governors agreed today to take action within their states and as a region to speed the development and use of alternative fuels, improve vehicle fuel efficiency and reduce our dependence on foreign petroleum.

A resolution adopted by the Western Governors' Association incorporates many recommendations contained in its new report, Transportation Fuels for the Future. The report was developed at the request of the governors and with the assistance of more than 100 energy experts representing government, industry, the environmental community, academia and the general public. The fuels and technologies covered are biodiesel and renewable diesel, biofuels, coal-to-liquids, compressed natural gas, propane, electricity and hydrogen.

WGA's lead governors for the initiative are Govs. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Calif.), Brian Schweitzer (Mont.), Brad Henry (Okla.), Michael Rounds (S.D.), Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. (Utah) and Christine Gregoire (Wash.).

James D. Boyd, Vice-chair and Commissioner at the California Energy Commission, and David Fleischaker, Oklahoma Secretary of Energy, led development of the report over the past 10 months. In a letter to the governors, Boyd and Fleischaker noted that longstanding U.S. dependence on petroleum for nearly all of our transportation fuel is among the most critical issues now facing the nation.

This dependence and global competition for the resource present enormous risks to the security of our future energy supply, the environment and to our nation's economy, the letter stated. Reducing these risks cannot be achieved solely with a dramatic increase in our domestic production for many reasons; yet, the outstanding potential for developing and increasing the use of alternative transportation fuels has been relatively unfulfilled.

The report addresses the West's unique transportation challenges and ways the states can position themselves to become key producers and beneficiaries in the emerging alternative fuels economy. The authors said vast distances between metropolitan and rural areas make it imperative that an ample and affordable supply of fuels is available to maintain the region's economy.

Similarly, our sustainability issues differ from those of the other parts of the U.S., the letter stated. Water, air quality, land use and feedstock supplies are of great concern to all of our states and careful consideration of these issues is critical as we transition to clean, alternative fuels and more fuel-efficient vehicles.

By working together and leading this transition, the Western states can achieve ambitious goals more rapidly than through individual, uncoordinated efforts.

The roadmap highlights both cross-cutting and priority recommendations developed by each team of experts working on the various fuel types and fuel efficiency. It addresses:

• Potential resources, technologies and capabilities of the Western states to develop alternatives fuels and the policy measures that will be required.
• Issues surrounding sustainable feedstock development, environmental impacts and availability of conversion technologies.
• Infrastructure that will be necessary for the full range of alternative fuels to succeed.
• Challenges common to all of the fuel types, including changing a century-old practice of fueling the transportation sector with oil.
• The development of measurable goals and analytical tools to determine and mitigate the environmental impacts of the new fuels.

Boyd and Fleischaker said they have not offered a silver-bullet approach to solve the challenges associated with energy security, the environment and the economy. However, you will find a wealth of opportunities that can be achieved with bold action and strong leadership.

The Transportation Fuels for the Future report and all of the working group reports 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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