The Western Governors Assoc, a bi-partisan group of Governor of Western states - which would include New Mexico, home of former Clinton Energy Secretary and current Governor Bill Richardson, who is now likely to become Obama’s Commerce Secretary - has a common sense plan for energy that it laid out in a four page letter to the President-elect. The plan was signed by Utah Governor John Huntsman (R) and Montana Governor Brian Schwietzer (D). Regarding fuel use, the plan is simple, … and most of all, emphaisizes realistic goals!!

Establish an oil import reduction goal that strengthens energy security and
independence. Since nearly 90% of oil is used for transportation, propose a plan
that:

• Brings more fuel efficient and near-zero emission vehicles into the market;
• Increases the supply of domestically produced, low-carbon fuels;
• Minimizes the economic and technological uncertainties inherent in
deploying high efficiency vehicles and developing and using nonpetroleum
transportation fuels; and
• Reduces vehicle miles travelled and increases mass movement of people
and goods.

Reasonable people could quibble with fuzzy headed statements like “reduce miles travelled” … and even the dubious concept of “establishing an oil import reduction goal” but all should find great wisdom, for the first time in the past 8 or more years of energy debate, at the measured, reasonble, principled and REALISTIC tone of this energy plan outline.

Indeed, per the 2007 energy act, we are about to embark upon mandated widespread use of cellulosic ethanol in the next 13 months, … and there is still no such fuel commercially available.

Too bad we didn’t have these governors speaking up more loudly back then.