ST. PAUL -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty is turning to cable television -- albeit in a small way -- to promote energy conservation.
Minnesota's Republican governor has filmed a public service announcement to air on Discovery Communications programming, including a new environment-focused "green lifestyle" channel.
The announcement is in production and will begin airing later this month or in early 2008, Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said.
As chairman of the National Governors Association, Pawlenty made "securing a clean energy future" the group's key issue for his one-year leadership term.
At a conference Thursday, Pawlenty and other governors un-veiled a "Call to Action" summarizing energy and environmental issues the initiative will address.
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Governors will look at ways states can improve energy conservation, promote biofuels such as ethanol, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost clean-energy research.
Pawlenty and others meeting in Florida for a renewable fuels discussion also announced the partnership with Discovery Communications, which operates networks including the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. The company is converting its Discovery Home Channel to Discovery Planet Green, which will feature 24-hour programming about environmentally friendly living.
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana also will appear in public service announcements on Discovery Communications.
In his announcement, Pawlenty will discuss easy ways people can reduce energy consumption.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Pawlenty, Sebelius, Schweitzer and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said states can take the lead on clean-energy initiatives.
Pawlenty said governors will be asked to sign a series of conservation and renewable energy agreements in the coming months.
The American people "thirst for change" in the nation's energy policies and demand action from political leaders, Pawlenty said. He and other governors said they hope Congress responds.
"In the absence of that, we believe states can play an important role as we tend to be a little more nimble, a little smarter, a litter quicker on some of these issues," Pawlenty said.
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The governors are optimistic they can influence national energy policy.
"Are we prepared to be that generation once and for all that throws off the yoke of this addiction to foreign oil and our creation of greenhouse gases?" said Schweitzer, a Democrat.
In addition to appearing in the public service announcement, Pawlenty has been named an honorary board member of Discovery's Planet Green.
