WGA Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative

Western Governors’ Association (WGA): Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative

On June 22, 2004, the Western Governors' Association (WGA) unanimously resolved to examine the feasibility and actions required to reach a goal of 30,000 megawatts of clean energy by 2015 and a 20 percent improvement in energy efficiency by 2020. The Governors will also examine what is needed to meet the West's generation and transmission needs over the next 25 years. The resolution cites the need to protect against energy shortages and price spikes, accommodate the population's growing energy needs, position the Western energy system to respond to environmental challenges, and take advantage of new technologies that will lower the cost of renewable energy and of controlling emissions from the fossil fuel resource base. According to the resolution, the project will stress "incentive-based, non-mandatory approaches," and it will also consider federal programs that could assist in reaching the goal.

The WGA has created the Clean and Diversified Energy Advisory Committee to oversee task forces to facilitate planning for the energy technologies necessary to meet this goal. Government officials, businesses, and non-profits are working together on these task forces. Visit the Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative site for more information. [1]