St. Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty today signed an executive order that creates the Minnesota Office of Energy Security within the Department of Commerce.

I, TIM PAWLENTY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Minnesota Constitution and applicable statutes, do hereby issue this Executive Order:

WHEREAS, issues relating to the generation, transmission, distribution and consumption of energy, including cost, efficiency, reliability and environmental affect all Minnesotans; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Commerce and other agencies within state government are involved with various aspects of regulation and oversight of energy and climate issues; and

WHEREAS, the climate impacts from greenhouse gas emissions include emissions from energy production and use and require a dedicated, comprehensive, and cross-agency approach; and

WHEREAS, it would be beneficial to have a single, easily identifiable entity within state government to coordinate state policy, programs and information on energy and climate change and provide greater visibility to the importance of these issues.

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby order:

1. The Commissioner of Commerce will create within the Department of Commerce the Office of Energy Security (“OES”). The Commissioner of Commerce, in consultation with the Governor’s Office, will appoint a Director of the OES.

2. The Director of the OES will implement the Commissioner of Commerce’s statutory powers and duties over energy, climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, including those set forth in Minnesota Statutes 2006, 216A, 216B, 216C, 216E, 216F, 216G and 216H, as amended. Consistent with state law, the Commissioner will execute the appropriate delegation of authority documents to provide the Director of OES the authority to carry out the Commissioner’s powers and duties related to energy, climate change and greenhouse emissions.

3. In addition, the OES will serve as a lead entity to coordinate cooperation, resources and information between state agencies that have responsibilities for matters relating to energy, climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. The OES will also coordinate public information from the state government on energy issues as they relate to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.

4. In relation to the Public Utilities Commission, the role of the OES will be limited to carrying out the responsibilities assigned to the Commissioner of Commerce pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2006, Chapters 216A, 216B, 216C, 216E, 216F, 216G and 216H, as amended.

5. The Commissioners of Natural Resources, Pollution Control, Transportation, Agriculture, Metropolitan Council, Department of Labor and Industry, Housing Finance, Employment and Economic Development and Administration will work cooperatively with the Director of OES to implement this order.

6. To ensure efficient use of resources, staff and the continuity of programs, the Director of OES may also serve as a deputy or assistant commissioner for the Department of Commerce and perform other responsibilities as directed by the Commissioner of Commerce.

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2006, Section 4.035, Subdivision 2, this Executive Order will be effective fifteen (15) days after publication in the State Register and filing with the Secretary of State and will remain in effect until is rescinded by proper authority or it expires in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 2006, Section 4.035, Subdivision 3.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have set my hand this 17th day of January, 2008.