EXECUTIVE ORDER 08-01

WHEREAS, the State of Kansas has an abundant supply of wind; and

WHEREAS, the State of Kansas is invested in making renewable energy sources an integral part of the states’ energy use portfolio; and

WHEREAS, it is essential to bring the stakeholders in wind energy together to form an organization for the development, promotion and implementation of effective wind energy policies in the State of Kansas; and

WHEREAS, a group is needed that can attract individual and organizational expertise in wind energy for State of Kansas wind energy stakeholders; and

WHEREAS, it is important to form partnerships with national and other wind energy collectives that can be further utilized to establish professional and informational networking for the development of programming for wind energy workshops; and

WHEREAS, the State of Kansas is committed to developing an effective and progressive plan to utilize our natural resources for renewable energy to their fullest potential.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Kansas, I hereby create the Governor’s Wind Working Group (“Group”) with the following purposes and charges:

1. The Group shall be composed of no more than forty members appointed by the Governor.  The Governor will designate one member as Chair and may designate other officers as deemed appropriate.
2. Members of the Group shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and shall meet upon the call of the chairperson as necessary to carry out the duties outlined in this executive order.
3. Members of the Group shall receive no compensation, subsistence allowance, mileage or expenses from the State of Kansas.
4. The Lieutenant Governor’s office and the Energy Programs Division of the Kansas Corporation Commission shall provide the staffing for the Group.
5. The Group will initiate, act upon and consider all necessary strategies to:
   1. Optimize wind energy utilization in Kansas;
   2. Invite organizations and individuals with wind energy expertise for informational workshops; and
   3. Develop professional and information-sharing networks for wind energy stakeholders; and
   4. Promote Kansas as a leader in the development of wind energy resources while at the same time ensuring that wind development takes place in areas that are appropriate; and
   5. Explore and develop outreach opportunities for individuals interested and/or invested in wind energy or related fields; and
   6. Assist in the development, coordination and execution of future wind energy policies of the State of Kansas.