Idaho

C.L. “Butch” Otter
Governor

WHEREAS, energy production, generation, transmission and conservation are vital to Idaho; and

WHEREAS, long-term energy supplies are critical to the well-being and future of Idaho; and

WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of state government to explore energy production and employ measures to reduce wasteful, uneconomical and unnecessary uses of energy, which diminish Idaho's energy resources; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, C.L. "BUTCH" OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Idaho do hereby order:

1. Continuation of the "Office of Energy Resources" within the Office of the Governor.

2. The term "energy" as used in this Executive Order shall include, but is not be limited to, electricity, oil, natural gas, bio-energy, renewable energy, transportation fuels, and nuclear.

3. The Governor shall appoint an administrator (hereafter "Administrator") to lead the Office of Energy Resources (Office). The Administrator shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and shall be subject to confirmation by the Idaho Senate. The Administrator shall be the official in Idaho designated to oversee energy planning, policy and coordination, and to fulfill the duties provided in this Executive Order.

4. Employees of the Office shall retain the employment status they enjoyed prior to the promulgation of this Executive Order. The aforementioned employees shall retain their status until they accept promotion or a new job title at which time their status shall change to non-classified. Employees of the Office hired after the effective date of this Executive Order shall be non-classified for the purposes of Chapter 53, Title 67 of the Idaho Code.

5. The duties, powers and authorities of the Office of Energy Resources shall include:

a) Advising the Governor, the Legislature and other public officials of the State's energy requirements, supply, transmission, management, conservation and efficiency efforts;

b) Coordinating and cooperating with federal and state agencies, departments and divisions, and local governments on issues concerning the State's energy requirements, supply, transmission, management, conservation and efficiency efforts;

c) Pursuing and accepting federal delegation of responsibility and authority for matters that affect the energy supply, transmission, management, consumption and conservation by the citizens of Idaho other than energy codes and standards for buildings and those matters under the jurisdiction of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission;

d) Assisting state agencies, departments, divisions and local governments to secure funding where available for energy conservation projects and renewable energy resource opportunities;

e) Promoting cost effective energy conservation and utilization of renewable energy resources through public information, education, and other activities;

f) Administering low-interest energy loan programs and other forms of financial assistance for eligible projects to further promote energy efficiency efforts and overall reduced energy consumption in Idaho;

g) Entering into other agreements or contracts and do that which is necessary to carry out the provisions of this Executive Order and in the performance of other duties as may be directed by the Governor.

6. The Office of Energy Resources may accept private contributions, state or federal funds, funds from other public agencies or any other source. The moneys shall be expended solely for the purposes provided in this Executive Order and accounted for as provided by law.

7. All orders, regulations, contracts and licenses which are in effect at the time this Executive Order is signed shall continue in effect according to their terms until modified or terminated.

8. The duties, responsibilities and authority of this Executive Order shall not alter any existing responsibilities, jurisdiction or planning functions of state agencies established by state or federal law; nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to provide or imply any regulatory authority by the Office of Energy Resources over public utilities that are subject to the jurisdiction of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.

This Executive Order shall cease to be effective one year after its entry into force.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this 18th day of October in the year of our Lord two thousand and eleven and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-sixth and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred twenty-second.

C.L. "BUTCH" OTTER
GOVERNOR

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE