Governor Perdue Orders State Government to Reduce Energy Consumption by 15% by 2020

As a component of the Governor’s Conserve Georgia announcements today, Governor Perdue launched the Governor’s Energy Challenge. This is a commitment by Governor Perdue that Georgia’s state government will reduce its energy usage 15 percent by 2020 over the 2007 energy use levels through energy efficiency or in combination with renewable energy. Governor Perdue is challenging Georgia’s citizens, businesses, organizations, local governments and school systems to meet the state’s 15 percent reduction goal.

“Meeting the 15 percent reduction goal will lessen Georgia’s dependence on traditional energy sources, support the economy, and improve the environment,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Undertaking this challenge to conserve energy will help ensure that Georgia’s natural resources are protected for future generations to use and to enjoy.”

The state of Georgia will lead by example and adopt, implement, and promote energy efficiency practices and policies and by using renewable, locally produced biofuels and bioenergy. The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) is directing the implementation of the Governor’s Energy Challenge. More details as well as information on how to accept the Governor’s Energy Challenge is available by visiting the “Our Energy” section of conservegeorgia.org.

The Houston County School System, the 78th Air Base Wing at Robins Air Force Base and the Warner Robins Area Chamber of Commerce signed the Governor’s Energy Challenge pledge, committing to match the state’s 15 percent reduction in energy use by 2020.

“Thanks to Governor Perdue’s leadership and foresight, Georgia will be able to meet its future energy needs,” said GEFA Executive Director Chris Clark. “GEFA is looking forward to working with state and local government and the private sector to reduce Georgia’s energy consumption.”

Governor Perdue announced the Energy Challenge at Huntington Middle School in Warner Robins where Flint Energies installed a solar panel in the fall of 2006 to help educate students about renewable energy and its impact on the environment. The Houston County School System as a whole has saved over $7.8 million through its energy conservation plan since 1999, about one million dollars a year. The annual savings equate to 22 to 24 percent of the system’s total utilities budget.

Energy Innovation Center to Lead State’s Support of Alternative Energy

To support further development of alternative energy in Georgia, Governor Perdue is creating an Energy Innovation Center (EIC). The EIC will enhance the economic development of Georgia by leading the commercialization of bioenergy with feedstocks grown or available within the state, furthering the generation of alternative energy and promoting energy sector manufacturing.

“The state of Georgia is quickly becoming a recognized leader in alternative energy and fuel,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Our goal is to develop a bioenergy industry that provides substantial economic benefit to Georgia and produces 15 percent of the state’s transportation fuels by 2020 from locally produced biofuels.”

The research and commercialization of alternative energy is at the forefront of Georgia’s strategic goals. Through the work of the EIC, companies concentrating on every aspect of energy development will be able to find a streamlined and pro-active business environment in Georgia. The EIC will be part of GEFA, which is home to the state’s energy office and alternative fuels program. Jill Stuckey, the director of alternative fuels at GEFA, will serve as the EIC director.

“The EIC is an exciting opportunity to connect Georgia’s conservation efforts to the economic growth of the state,” said Chris Clark, executive director of GEFA. “By providing necessary resources to companies in the bioenergy sector, Georgia will increase both its economic competitiveness and the quality of life of its citizens.”

Georgia’s Centers of Innovation program is charged with providing the resources and services needed to foster growth in the areas of aerospace, agriculture, life sciences, logistics and manufacturing; areas of strategic focus as designated by Governor Perdue in 2003. The program works directly with existing businesses and entrepreneurs to foster growth within each sector. The EIC will be the sixth addition to the Centers of Innovation Program. For more information about the EIC, visit http://energy.georgiainnovation.org.

The text of the Governor’s Energy Challenge Executive Order is below:

BY THE GOVERNOR:

WHEREAS: The State of Georgia’s economy enjoyed strong growth and current forecasts indicate the state’s population and economic activity will continue to grow rapidly in the years to come; and

WHEREAS: The state’s economic growth and security depend on affordable and reliable energy and fuel and as such requires the expansion of energy infrastructure including energy fuel pipelines, electric power generating facilities and units, transmission facilities and pipelines; and

WHEREAS: Georgia’s energy providers should be praised for their high standards of excellence in providing reliable and affordable energy; and

WHEREAS: Energy efficiency improvements, cleaner traditional energy generation, nuclear power, bioenergy, and alternative fuel sources are all required in order for Georgia to meet future energy demand in a cost-effective manner; and

WHEREAS: Georgia’s agriculture and forestry industries offer rich biomass resources for the production of biofuels and biomass energy; and

WHEREAS: The State of Georgia encourages citizens, business, industry and local government to prioritize energy efficiency and alternative fuel usage and emphasizes the importance of raising public awareness of energy issues and conservation; and

WHEREAS: This administration has made enterprise management a priority for an efficient government, and the State of Georgia should lead by example by adopting, implementing, and promoting energy efficiency practices and policies and by using renewable, locally produced biofuels and bioenergy; and

WHEREAS: The National Governors Association has advocated that each state address these issues as best appropriate through the “Securing a Clean Energy Future Initiative”; and

WHEREAS: The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority, Division of Energy Resources has the statutory authority set forth by Section 50-23-32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to conduct certain energy related activities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BY VIRTUE OF THE POWER VESTED IN ME AS THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, IT IS HEREBY

ORDERED: As a component of Conserve Georgia, the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority shall collaborate with government and private sector partners to develop and launch the “Governor’s Energy Challenge 2020” which will consist of five integral components:

· State Energy Leadership Initiative
· Energy Education and Public Awareness Campaign
· Governor’s Energy Challenge to Local Governments and School Systems;
· Governor’s Energy Challenge to Business; and
· The Center of Innovation for Energy

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: The State Energy Leadership Initiative will support state agencies and departments in their efforts to reduce energy usage by 15% by 2020 over 2007 existing energy use levels on a per square foot basis through energy efficiency or through a combination with renewable energy, that could lead to a taxpayer saving of $19 million annually; and

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: As part of Conserve Georgia, the Energy Education Public Awareness Campaign will educate the public to help reduce Georgia’s energy consumption, increase alternative energy usage, and save taxpayer money; and

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: The Governor’s Energy Challenge to Local Governments and School Systems will encourage local governments, and school systems to match the state’s commitment by reducing their own energy usage by 15% by 2020 over 2007 existing energy use levels on a per square foot basis through energy efficiency or through a combination with renewable energy, particularly from Georgia-based sources, while supporting continued economic growth; and

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: The Governor’s Energy Challenge to Business will encourage businesses to match the state’s commitment by reducing their own energy usage by 15% by 2020 over 2007 existing energy use levels on a per unit produced or per square foot basis through energy efficiency or through a combination with renewable energy, particularly from Georgia-based sources, while supporting continued economic growth; and

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: The Energy Innovation Center will enhance the economic development of Georgia by leading the commercialization of bioenergy based on feedstock grown or available within the state; furthering alternative energy generation; and promoting energy sector manufacturing; and

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: Conserve Georgia will conduct an energy efficiency and renewable energy study of Georgia.

THIS 24th DAY OF April 2008