Pawlenty takes over as head of governors association
(AP) - Gov. Tim Pawlenty put a green tint on his ascension to chairman of the National Governors Association on Monday, telling the group that he will lead a sustainable energy initiative over the next year.
Pawlenty was elected chairman during the association's annual meeting in Traverse City, Mich. By tradition, the chairman outlines a broad policy goal. Pawlenty's is called "Securing a Clean Energy Future."
Pawlenty's initiative mirrors work he's done in Minnesota. In recent years, the Legislature has passed laws to ramp up the use of ethanol and other biofuels and set a renewable energy standard for utility providers.
"Minnesota and a few others are way out on the point on this. The momentum and the action we've seen in Minnesota are not matched by most other states," Pawlenty said in a telephone interview Monday. "Some states are only starting the journey."
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His rollout came with few concrete steps he wants Minnesota and other states to take toward achieving the "clean energy" vision.
Those, he said, will come in September.
For now, Pawlenty said he wants the nation's governors to raise awareness of moves to expand homegrown fuels, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase conservation efforts. The group will also conduct research and convene stakeholder meetings.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
