A bipartisan group of governors from 17 states have signed a new accord focused on modernizing energy resources and energy grids throughout the US. Each governor committed to continue to diversify energy generation and expand clean energy sources, encourage clean transportation options, plan for an energy transition and collaborate to make transformational policy changes. Senior advisors to participating governors will convene shortly to discuss initial steps to pursue their shared priorities and commitments contained in the accord.
The states represented in the Accord for a New Energy Future include California; Connecticut; Delaware; Hawaii; Iowa; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Nevada; New Hampshire; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Virginia, and Washington.
According to the text of the agreement, each state will focus policy efforts and local funding to meet sustainability goals. Notably, the accord highlights the role climate change plays in terms of its potentially damaging impact on existing energy infrastructure. “Extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, wildfires and sea-level rise, can negatively impact electric reliability and the economy. Embracing new energy solutions can provide more durable and resilient infrastructure, and enable economic growth, while protecting the health of our communities and natural resources,” the accord says.
The governors plan to support the development of wind and solar, as well as geothermal and hydroelectric power. They will also encourage consumers and fleet managers to buy electric cars. As CivSource has previously reported, more electric car charging stations are springing up nationwide and are already available in several of the states that signed on to the accord.
“Joining the accord reaffirms our commitment to diversifying the Commonwealth’s energy portfolio, supporting new energy technologies, and meeting our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% below 1990 levels by 2020,” said Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.
Last month, Massachusetts added $2 million in funding to the state’s electric vehicle (EV) rebate program, an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. States throughout the Northeast Corridor are also already working on regional energy purchase, storage and sharing plans to improve resiliency and diversify the energy mix.
