Midwestern Governors Association

NEWS

ADVISORY GROUP ON RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY AND ADVANCED COAL WITH CARBON CAPTURE TO MEET IN INDIANAPOLIS May 5, 2008 – The Renewable Electricity and Advanced Coal with Carbon Capture Advisory Group will be meeting May 19 – 20^th in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Sheraton Indianapolis City Center. The Advisory Group was formed by the Midwestern Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform, which was signed November 17, 2007 by members of the Midwestern Governors Association. The Advisory Group’s meeting will bring together industry representatives, field experts, interested stakeholders, and key Midwestern state officials to discuss advanced coal with carbon capture as well as renewable electricity. They will meet periodically throughout the Midwest to carry out the goals and objectives of the Platform. For additional information, contact Daniel Stenberg at 202-624-5460 or dstenberg@csg.org.
GOVERNOR HOEVEN MEETS IN D.C. WITH WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS TO URGE AGREEMENT ON NEW FARM BILL April 29, 2008 - Governor John Hoeven today met in Washington, D.C. with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer and Agriculture Advisor to the President Hunter Moorhead regarding the pending Farm Bill. Hoeven is pushing the Administration to come to terms with congressional conferees on the new farm legislation. The Governor hand delivered two bipartisan letters signed by a total of23 governors to Schafer and Moorhead. The letters urge Congressional leaders to find common ground and complete a farm bill in timely fashion for farmers and ranchers. The first letter was sent in December, immediately prior to Senate passage of its version of the legislation, and the second was sent last week, urging congressional negotiators to reach an agreement. "The White House has expressed concern regarding provisions in the new bill, including payment limitations for upper income producers and beneficial interest," Hoeven said. "We believe there is room for compromise between the Administration and Congress to get a new Farm Bill passed and signed into law, and we will continue to work for it for the benefit of our farmers and ranchers."
BIOECONOMY AND TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP TO MEET IN COLUMBUS April 23, 2008 - The Bioeconomy and Transportation Advisory Group will be meeting in Columbus, Ohio May 6 – 7^th at the Hyatt at Capitol Square. The meeting will bring together industry representatives, bioeconomy and transportation experts, interested stakeholders and key Midwestern state officials. Signed by members of the Midwestern Governors Association on November 15, 2007, the Midwestern Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform formed advisory groups, including the Bioeconomy and Transportation Advisory Group. In keeping with the goals and objectives set forth in the Platform, the group will meet periodically throughout the year around the Midwest to accomplish the goals and objectives set forth in the Bioeconomy and Transportation section of the Platform. For additional information, contact Daniel Stenberg at 202-624-5460 or at dstenberg@csg.org.
GOVERNOR HOEVEN SPEAKS WITH SECRETARY SCHAFER TO URGE FARM BILL EXTENSION April 21, 2008 – Governor John Hoeven spoke with Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer on Friday to urge the Bush Administration to sign an extension on the current farm bill, giving lawmakers another week to resolve differences on the new legislation. “We’re pleased the President will sign the extension for the farm bill,” Hoeven said. “Recognizing there have already been extensions to the current farm bill, we are hopefully close to an agreement. A new and improved farm bill is worth the additional time necessary to provide the right kind of support for our farmers and ranchers.”
GOVERNOR HEINEMAN SENDS LETTER TO AG SECRETARY REQUESTING ASSISTANCE FOR LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY SECTORS April 17, 2008 - Gov. Dave Heineman recently sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer requesting assistance for Nebraska’s livestock and poultry industries, which have been severely impacted by the growing cost of feed grains. In his letter the Governor wrote, “Due mainly to the large increase in feed grain prices, our pork producers currently are losing from $40 to $50 a head, and our beef, turkey and processed egg products sectors are faced with similar circumstances. Many are losing equity and some are having difficulty securing operating financing.” The Governor requested that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) consider making funding known as Section 32 funds available for the purchase of pork, beef and turkey meat, as well as processed egg products. Section 32 funds have been used in the past to purchase surplus commodities from the marketplace to help align supply and demand.
MGA ANNOUNCES NEW STAFF HIRE April 11, 2008 - Daniel Stenberg has joined the staff of the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) as a Policy Analyst/Meeting Coordinator. Originally from western North Dakota, Daniel attended Jamestown College and received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Business Administration and History/Political Science. Daniel is currently pursuing his MBA part-time at The George Washington University. Before joining MGA, he worked in the research division of the Federal Reserve Board. Daniel can be reached at 202-624-5460 or dstenberg@csg.org.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY GROUP TO MEET IN MINNEAPOLIS April 7, 2008 - The Energy Efficiency Advisory Group, established through the Midwestern Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform, will meet April 23^rd and 24^th at the Graves 601 Hotel in Minneapolis. The meeting will bring together industry representatives, energy efficiency experts, interested stakeholders, and key Midwestern state officials. The Midwestern Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform was signed on November 15, 2007 by members of the Midwestern Governors Association. This advisory group will meet periodically throughout the year in locations around the Midwest to complete the goals and objectives set forth in the Energy Efficiency section of the Platform. For additional information, contact Daniel Stenberg at 202-624-5460 or at dstenberg@csg.org
Governor Culver announces iowa is first in nation in producing its power from wind energy April 2, 2008 – Governor Chet Culver Governor Culver announced new findings from an American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) report released today titled "AWEA 2008 Annual Rankings Report" showing that Iowa is first in the nation in "Wind Generation as a Percentage of All Electricity Generation." "I’ve made growing the wind industry in Iowa a top priority for my Administration, and our investment is paying off for Iowans with hundreds of green collar jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars invested in our communities," said Iowa Governor Chet Culver. "Iowa leads the nation in producing its power from wind energy and is positioned to become the renewable energy capital of the U.S. Iowa is also home to five major wind generation manufacturers who have recently decided to locate or expand here because of our quality workforce– Acciona, Siemens, Clipper, Hendricks and TPI Composites. Dozens of existing Iowa companies now supply the industry. Together, we’re building the ‘Silicon Valley of the Midwest’ by developing the next generation of renewable energy and technology – and it starts here in Iowa, with wind."
Governor Culver Calls on Congress to Meet America’s Infrastructure Needs March 12, 2008 – Governor Chet Culver traveled to Washington, DC today to discuss America’s transportation and infrastructure needs with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and other Congressional Leaders. “I believe it’s time for a bold 21^st century infrastructure plan of action” said Governor Culver. “This plan should be similar to our shared national goal of winning the race to space a generation ago. We need a clear national vision for infrastructure that supports our nation’s economic and security future while protecting our citizens’ quality of life. ”In his comments, Governor Culver proposed a three step approach. First, develop a multi-modal transportation approach, looking at roads, bridges, public transit, rail, trails, air and waterways. Second, Invest new funding to completely rebuild and reinvest America’s interstate system. Finally, give state governments flexibility and greater control in how to administer Federal infrastructure grants.
GOVERNOR HOEVEN MEETS WITH AGRICULTURE SEC. ED SCHAFER TO ENCOURAGE AGREEMENT ON FARM BILL. February 25, 2008 BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven yesterday met with new U.S. Sec. of Agriculture Ed Schafer to strongly push the administration to find agreement on the Farm Bill now in negotiation between the U.S. House and Senate agriculture committees and the administration. The extension on the current bill expires on March 15. Hoeven has been lobbying for more than a year on behalf of North Dakota farmers and ranchers to secure a farm bill, including meeting with members of both the House and Senate, as well as the administration. Over that period of time, Hoeven has met with former Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, current Secretary Schafer, White House Agriculture advisor Mike Conner, and the President. “The Farm Bill is vitally important to the producers of North Dakota,” Hoeven said. “All parties need to work toward finding common ground on the bill’s provisions, including a good safety net for farmers and ranchers.” -For the Entire Press Release-

GOV. CULVER TAKES LEAD URGING CONGRESS TO PASS FARM BILL

December 10, 2007 - Gov. Chet Culver and Gov. John Hoeven co-authored a bi-partisan letter that was sent to the U.S. House of Representatives, encouraging a compromise on the 2007 Farm Bill. Last week, Culver held a joint press conference in Washington D.C. with Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), which underscored the need for the Farm Bill to move forward, and for Congress to pass it as soon as possible. The bipartisan letter was initiated by Culver and was an immediate follow-up to the press conference.

The letter stated, “This legislation is important to our agriculture producers, our rural businesses, our communities and our states. On behalf of our farmers and ranchers, we urge you to pass this significant farm policy as soon as possible.”

Governors of the following states also signed the letter: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin

GOV. GRANHOLM IN WASHINGTON, D.C. TO ADVANCE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

December 5, 2007 - Gov. Jennifer Granholm worked to advance an effort to expand the production of biofuel in the Upper Peninsula by meeting with the U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, the assistant secretary for renewable energy, and the Swedish Ambassador. This meeting was part of a day-long agenda focusing on alternative energy and advanced vehicle efforts. Granholm stated that Michigan is, “taking on the challenge of finding sustainable energy sources.”

Granholm has previously announced that the Swedish-based Chemrec AB and Ohio-based NewPage Corporation are exploring the possible development of a plant that would produce renewable biomass-based fuels at the NewPage paper mill. The two companies are completing a feasibility study for a plant to employ Chemrec’s black liquor gasification technology, which converts waste from the paper pulping process into synthesis. This technology could enable the paper mill to produce up to 13 million gallons of liquid biofuel per year, along with hundreds of jobs. Granholm views the partnership as a great opportunity and is hopeful that the federal government will support the project with funding.

GOV. CULVER CALLS ON CONGRESS TO SUPPORT CONTINUED GROWTH OF WIND ENERGY

December 5, 2007 - Gov. Chet Culver and eleven other Midwest Governors sent a letter to Congressional Leadership asking that Congress extend the wind production tax credit (PTC) for up to eight years. Iowa currently has more than 1000 wind turbines capable of producing nearly 1000 MW of electricity annually. Culver stated that there must be continued growth in the wind industry and that Congress should support PTC because, "this measure is vital to this industry's future." Culver has challenged Iowans to produce more wind energy by setting the goal of producing 2015 MW by the year 2015 and studies are showing that Iowa will surpass this goal.

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GOVERNOR ROUNDS URGES FARM BILL NEGOTIATIONS TO MOVE FORWARD

November 30, 2007 - As the calendar year comes to an end Gov. Mike Rounds urges the U.S. Congress to move forward and pass the 2007 Farm Bill. Rounds stated, “This lull in Farm Bill negotiations is not in the best interest of South Dakotans.” Rounds views the Farm Bill as an important piece of legislation that will impact all of South Dakota’s citizens. Rounds wants the Farm Bill itself to change with the times and does not believe that merely extending the 2002 Farm Bill will be adequate.

GOVERNORS SIGN ENERGY SECURITY AND CLIMATE STEWARDSHIP PLATFORM AND GREENHOUSE GAS ACCORD

November 16, 2007 - Ten Midwestern leaders – Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin, Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois, Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana, Governor Chester J. Culver of Iowa, Governor Jennifer Granholm of Michigan, Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio, Governor M. Michael Rounds of South Dakota, and Premier Gary Doer of Manitoba – today signed the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord.

Indiana, Ohio, and South Dakota are signing the agreement as observers to participate in the formation of the regional cap-and-trade system.

The historic agreement, signed at the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) Energy Security and Climate Change Summit held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will serve as a regional strategy to achieve energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.

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GOV. HOEVEN MEETS WITH OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. ON FARM BILL, WATER PROJECTS, TRANSMISSION, TRANSPORATION ISSUES

October 22, 2007 - Gov. John Hoeven will meet this week with congressional and White House officials about issues important to North Dakota, including the renewal of the Farm Bill, wind energy development, several water projects and transportation issues.

On Monday and Tuesday Hoeven will meet with Senate leaders to further the passage of the Farm Bill. Hoeven will meet with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to discuss the necessity of wind energy access to the Midwest Independent System Operators grid on Monday. Hoeven also plans to meet with leadership of the Environmental Protection Agency to advance North Dakota water projects and the Deputy Transportation Secretary to discuss a federal variance that exempts agriculture trucks from having a rear-end bumper. North Dakota's legislature passed a bill during the last session to study if rear-end bumpers interfere with the efficient transportation of harvested crops, but a federal waiver is necessary.

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GOV. HOEVEN VISITS WASHINGTON, D.C. TO DISCUSS THE FARM BILL

July 24, 2007 - Gov. John Hoeven traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to meet with officials to discuss the renewal of the Farm Bill. The governor held meetings with U.S. Department of Agriculture Sec. Mike Johanns; White House agriculture advisor Hunter Moorehead; North Dakota's Congressional Delegation; Sen. Saxby Chambliss, ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee; and Rep. Collin Peterson, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

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MGA Farm Bill Policy