In the past, the lurking energy crisis has been a soapbox issue for academics, environmentalists, hippies, Hollywood big wigs and college students. However, with the depletion of energy resources a seemingly much more immediate threat, the Western Governors' Association is spearheading a governmental campaign to address a possible energy crisis.
The Western Governors' Association, a 19-state, non-partisan organization, drafted a letter to President-elect Barack Obama urging him to start developing a national energy plan that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support legislative measures that would improve the infrastructure of alternative energy. In the letter sent to Obama on Nov. 21, the governors discussed policies they have seen as a success in their own states and outlined new incentives and policies Obama should implement.
"Energy improvement plans are something Gov. Ted Kulongoski has been working on since he came into office" said Jillian Schoene, Kulongoski's spokeswoman. "The state has set their own greenhouse reduction goal and tax credits for businesses leading to the growth of the solar panel industry in Oregon, making it the largest producer of solar panels in North America. The governor wants to take what we have learned in Oregon and apply it nationally."
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Under the goal, the governors proposed bringing more fuel efficient and near-zero emission vehicles into the market; increasing the supply of domestically produced, low-carbon fuels; investing in mass transportation to increase citizen use; and working to establish more confidence in the markets of energy-efficient vehicles and alternative fuels. In the wake of the economic downturn, the group also urged Obama to take action on energy use and cultivation - sooner rather than later.
The WGA's effort was collaborative, as each state brought its own views and suggestions to the table.
"There really was a consensus and concurrence of everyone," WGA Director of Communications Karen Deike said. "During the process everyone had to be engaged and ready to make decisions."
The Energy Information Administration estimates that by 2030, U.S. demand for petroleum and other liquid fuels will increase by 10 percent, while global demand for the fuels will increase by 30 percent. Within the same time frame, U.S. demand for electricity is expected to increase by 20 percent and global demand is expected to double. In response to the startling data, The WGA asked Obama to end America's dependence on foreign oil by establishing a foreign oil import reduction goal.
In order to create a more certain alternative energy market, the governors suggested that the federal government invest tens of billions of dollars each year to stimulate the business sector of the economy and support research and innovation in clean energy. Many of the western states, including Montana, Oregon and Washington, have invested in alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydro and biomass, but the governors argue that with federal support the business of clean energy could skyrocket.
"Western states are the country's energy breadbasket, but market efficiency has also got to play a much bigger role," Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer said in a press release. "That includes everything from manufacturing more fuel-efficient vehicles to changing regulatory structures so they reward utilities for achieving reduced energy usage among customers."
Among the top energy issues, the governors urged Obama to set a challenging greenhouse gas emissions goal that would put the U.S. on a path to contribute to the rest of the planet's climate preservation.
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Finally, in the difficult financial times, new energy resources appear to be a luxury many Americans won't be able to afford. In the proposal, the WGA asked Obama to guarantee affordability for lower income consumers by creating energy cost assistant programs.
The WGA hopes that shifting focus from old, non-renewable energy to new, cleaner energy will create a new job market, something the nation could use in such tough economic times.
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