St. Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty signed an executive order that creates the Governor's Clean Energy Technology Collaborative. The Collaborative will be a forum for experts to discuss issues that impact the development of new technologies in clean energy that utilize Minnesota expertise, Minnesota resources and benefit Minnesota by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Collaborative will provide advice and recommendations to the Governor on matters relating to advances in technology and research necessary to achieve Minnesota’s long-term clean energy goals.

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

WHEREAS, Minnesota has set aggressive goals for securing a future that incorporates greater use of clean energy and reduces the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, including the goals of reducing green house gas emissions by 80% by 2050 and the goal of having 25% of our energy come from renewable energy resources by the year 2025; and

WHEREAS, in order to meet these goals, breakthroughs in the research, development and implementation of advanced clean energy technologies are needed; and

WHEREAS, significant clean energy research and development work is occurring within Minnesota’s institutions of higher education and within the private sector; and

WHEREAS, Minnesota would benefit from more effective coordination and collaboration between knowledgeable Minnesotans from academia, private industry and government offices with clean energy technology research and development expertise and experience to craft the roadmap outlining long-term and sustainable strategies for clean energy technologies, research and development priorities in the State of Minnesota, as well as benchmarks for the most promising technological breakthroughs needed to achieve the state’s clean energy goals.

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby order:

1. The creation of the Governor’s Clean Energy Technology Collaborative (“Collaborative”).

2. The Collaborative will be comprised of up to 15 members appointed by the Governor as follows:

a. Up to five members who work for institutions of higher education within the State of Minnesota and have significant knowledge and experience in the research and development of clean energy technologies or the implementation of new clean energy technologies.

b. Up to five members who work for businesses with operations in Minnesota and have significant knowledge and experience in the research and development of clean energy technologies or the implementation of new clean energy technologies.

c. The remaining members are general members and should be individuals who have significant knowledge and experience in the research, development or deployment of clean energy technologies or other experience or expertise that would be helpful to the Collaborative.

d. The Governor will designate a member to serve as the chair.

e. Members will serve a two year term at the pleasure of the Governor and the Governor will fill any vacancies.

f. Members will not receive per diem or reimbursement for expenses.

3. The Director of the Office of Energy Security, and the Commissioners of Agriculture, Employment and Economic Development and the Pollution Control Agency will serve as ex officio members of the Collaborative and provide appropriate administrative support to the Collaborative.

4. The Collaborative will be a forum for experts to discuss issues that impact the development of new technologies in clean energy that utilize Minnesota expertise, Minnesota resources and benefit Minnesota by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Collaborative will provide advice and recommendations to the Governor on matters relating to advances in technology and research necessary to achieve Minnesota’s long-term clean energy goals.

a). The Collaborative should identify the most promising research and development relating to clean energy technology that may be beneficial to Minnesota and identify the primary issues related to effective current or future implementation of the technologies.

b). The Collaborative should develop a roadmap of its recommendations that identifies the scientific and technological advances needed to achieve Minnesota’s long term clean energy goals. The roadmap should include recommendations that outline:

i) the needed and most promising technologies;
ii.) quantify the anticipated benefits these technologies will likely provide;
iii.) timetables that identify when technologies are likely to be available;
iv.) identify benchmarks in the research, development or deployment of the technologies that reflect progress toward the advancement and end use of the technologies to achieve the benefits toward the state’s clean energy goals;
v.) identify obstacles to the most promising technologies and provide recommendations on the variety of means that may be available to overcome the obstacles.

c.) The Collaborative should consider in its recommendations the utilization of technologies that take advantage of Minnesota’s sustainable agricultural and natural resources and Minnesota’s business and academic expertise.

5. The Collaborative will meet begin as soon as possible following completion of the open appointment process. The Collaborative will recommend a time table for developing the roadmap.

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 in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 2006, Section 4.035, Subdivision 3.