Western govs sense chance for electric grid work

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Some Western governors say the plan for $825 billion in economic stimulus spending should spur development of energy infrastructure in their states.

The Western Governors Association recently sent a letter to then President-elect Barack Obama asking him to emphasize renewable sources and expanded infrastructure in his energy policy.

“An enormous national commitment is necessary to transform our energy infrastructure and our economy as we shift to low-carbon-emission energy sources that include wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, hydro and other renewables, as well as fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage,” the governors said.

The Obama administration looks to be on the same page. In his weekly address Saturday, the new president vowed to double the nation’s capacity to generate alternative energy sources in the next three years and to begin building a new electricity grid with more than 3,000 miles of new transmission lines “to convey this new energy from coast to coast.”

Seattle PI