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MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING
AMONG THE
PRESIDENT’S NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY DEVELOPMENT GROUP
AND ITS MEMBER OFFICES AND AGENCIES
AND THE
WESTERN GOVERNORS' ASSOCIATION
AND ITS MEMBER STATES
REGARDING ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION
IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES
I. Purpose
The purpose of this Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) is to establish a framework for cooperation between
Western States and the Federal government to rapidly resolve immediate energy
shortages and longer-term energy problems facing the West. This effort will involve the States and the Federal government.
Other stakeholders may be called upon from time to time to provide
advice. The regional approach will
serve as a demonstration of principles and practices, which may be adopted
nationally or in other regions.
II. Objective
To encourage cooperation among the President’s National Energy Policy
Development Group (NEPDG), its member offices and agencies, the Western
Governors' Association (WGA) and its members states for the following purposes:
(1)Improving intergovernmental systems that authorize and enable planning,
financing, permitting and siting of energy facilities;
(2) Increasing energy supplies;
(3) Building needed energy infrastructure; and
(4) Increasing the efficiency of energy use.
III. Background
Energy prices
and supplies in the Western United States have become uncertain and highly
volatile over the past year. Electricity
and natural gas transmission systems may no longer be adequate to provide
reliable, secure energy to citizens, businesses and governmental and national
defense facilities. Due to unique
Western land ownership patterns, widely dispersed population centers and
government facilities, and the isolated nature of the Western Interconnection
for electricity transmission, this situation poses unique policy, management,
and investment problems that must be addressed to ensure protection of public
health, welfare, the environment and national security.
The Nation's
energy policy must be broad-based and flexible so that each state and region in
the nation can maximize its contributions to the economy and well-being of its
citizens. The signatories to this
agreement and the offices, agencies and states they represent are committed to
carrying out both short and long-term,
cost-effective efforts to resolve the energy crisis in the Western States.
This may involve: obtaining and sharing necessary public information
relating to energy markets and emerging energy technologies; identifying and
implementing cooperative strategies for research, development, demonstration and
adoption of policies, procedures and programs that will ensure delivery of new
energy supplies, greater efficiency, more sustainable conservation practices and
new or improved energy technologies; and assessing the effectiveness of
implementation policies and practices.
The
signatories are committed to market-based approaches so that the selection and
financing of energy facilities and strategies, including those for research and
development, will be based on wide competition, broad participation and market
discipline.
The
signatories seek a regional, integrated, cooperative approach to identifying
solutions to problems. The proposed
approach for this MOU will bring together the signatories or their designated
representatives to share information and collaborate to the extent permitted by
law.
IV. Authorities
Nothing in
this MOU alters the responsibilities or statutory authorities of NEPDG and its
member offices and agencies, or the WGA, and its member States and insular
areas. This MOU does not supersede
existing agreements among any of the signatories.
V. Responsibilities
The
signatories agree to prepare a workplan and provide an annual report to identify
and list by priority energy needs and requirements. The workplan and report will identify and assess governmental approaches,
including regulatory practices that affect the development of energy supply,
conservation and efficiency in the West.
The
report will consider current funding levels and allocations for governmental
energy activities, the most pressing energy production, transmission and
efficiency problems, and identify for demonstration and/or implementation the
most promising new solutions.
The report
will be completed and submitted to the signatories no later than February of
each year for use as a resource in the formulation and review of the states’
and nation's energy policies.
The
signatories agree that this MOU may serve as a prelude to other regional or
National programs for identifying and implementing needed new, cost-effective
energy strategies for development and deployment.
VI. Authentication
This MOU
becomes effective upon its signature by all parties. The MOU will continue in effect for three (3) years or until
modified by mutual consent. Participation
by any signatory member may be terminated at the request of any signatory with
ninety (90) days prior notice.
FOR THE NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY
DEVELOPMENT GROUP AND ITS MEMBER OFFICES AND AGENCIES
Vice President of the United States
Date
FOR THE WESTERN GOVERNORS’
ASSOCIATION AND ITS MEMBER STATES
Chairman of the Western Governors'
Association Date
Vice Chair of the Western Governors'
Association Date
Lead Governor of the Western Governors' Association Date
Lead Governor of the Western Governors' Association
Date
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