Washington, D.C. – The Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) announces today it’s 2019 leadership. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has been named as chair of the association and Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota will serve as the association vice chair.
“Serving as MGA chair is another opportunity to spearhead important policy discussions and make a difference for Iowans. It ensures our voice is heard and our state’s innovative thinking becomes a model for others to follow,” said Gov. Reynolds. “When it comes to energy, advanced manufacturing, international trade, and agricultural production, it’s crucial that America’s Heartland remains aligned to advance our priorities.”
Governor Reynolds’ agenda will focus on creating a more secure and modern electric grid in the Midwest. The effort was initiated because of the promise, and the related problems, in delivering more energy from source to load (i.e., energy consumers) in the region. Under Governor Reynolds, the association, will bring together the energy policy and utility regulatory staffs, as well as the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and stakeholders, to establish a long-term transmission grid vision for the region.
“It is vital to the region that our governors collaborate across states,” said Governor Walz. “By working together, our Midwestern states can face challenges and share successes together. Gov. Reynolds initiative to focus on long-term transmission planning will be key to ensuring continued economic success for the Midwest.”
“Providing high-level state energy and transmission policy guidance for the region will provide benefits for decades” said MGA executive director Jesse Heier. “The Midwest has tremendous energy resources and creating workable plans that will support the construction of interstate transmission lines has the potential to provide great economic output for the Midwest by facilitating renewable energy generation resources development while maintaining transmission reliability.”
For more information, please visit www.midwesterngovernors.org/Chairs-Agenda
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The Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) is a non-profit, bipartisan organization that brings together governors, their staff, and state agencies to address significant public policy issues and provide a vehicle to advocate for them. It focuses its efforts in four primary policy areas: economic development, agriculture, energy, and Midwest branding. Current members of the MGA include Gov. JB Pritzker (IL), Gov. Eric Holcomb (IN), Gov. Kim Reynolds (IA), Gov. Laura Kelly (KS), Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (MI), Gov. Tim Walz (MN), Gov. Michael Parson (MO), Gov. Pete Ricketts (NE.), Doug Burgum (ND), Gov. Mike DeWine (OH), Gov. Kristi Noem (SD), and Gov. Evers (WI).
