17 Governors Announce Clean Energy, Transportation Agreement

SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) — Governors from 17 states are committing to work together to seek cleaner energy and transportation, and to build a better electrical grid.

The bipartisan group announced on Tuesday what it's calling the Governors' Accord for a New Energy Future.

The governors intend to work together on energy planning and policies. The accord says the goal is to expand participating states' economies while protecting citizens' health and the environment.

The governors are from California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

"With this agreement, governors from both parties have joined together and committed themselves to a clean energy future," California Gov. Jerry Brown said in a statement. "Our goal is to clean up the air and protect our natural resources."

The states include nearly 40 percent of the nation's population.

Senior advisers of the governors expect to meet soon to discuss the initial steps to meet the goals.

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