~ Will be pursuing other opportunities ~

Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today that Edward Garvey, Director of the Office of Energy Security and Deputy Commissioner in the Minnesota Department of Commerce, is leaving his post effective August 8, 2008.

“Edward has been an exceptional leader on energy issues for a number of years,” Governor Pawlenty said. “We particularly appreciate his service as the first director of our new Office of Energy Security. His leadership has been one of the reasons Minnesota is a national leader in energy reform.”

Garvey has been instrumental in implementing Governor Pawlenty’s vision and policies regarding energy reform. Highlights from the Pawlenty Administration’s efforts include:

• Adoption of the nation’s leading renewable energy standard, 25 percent by 2025
• Implementation of one of the nation’s most effective energy efficiency programs
• Agreement on the Metropolitan Emissions Reduction Plan (MERP)
• Creation of the Community-Based Energy Development program
• Adoption of a nation-leading mercury reduction law
• Decreasing reliance on petroleum through expanded production and use of biofuels
• Increasing use of clean, renewable energy such as windpower, solar, and geothermal
• Creation of the Office of Energy Security within the Department of Commerce

“Serving the citizens of Minnesota for the last five-and a-half-years as part of Governor Pawlenty's clean energy team has been a tremendous privilege,” said Garvey. “Energy issues pose significant challenges and I am very proud to have been part of Governor Pawlenty’s nation-leading clean energy reforms that addresses those challenges today and into the future.”

Before joining the Pawlenty Administration in January 2003, Garvey served as a commissioner on the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission from 1997-2002, including three years as chair.

He was previously Director of the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance and has served on the board of directors for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and was Vice-Chair of NARUC's Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment.