GOVERNOR CULVER NAMES ROYA STANLEY AS DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
Monday, August 6, 2007

STANLEY’S VAST EXPERIENCE MAKES HER IDEAL CANDIDATE TO LEAD IOWA’S RENEWABLE ENERGY EFFORTS

(Des Moines) Today, Governor Chet Culver has named Roya Stanley as Iowa’s new Director of the Office of Energy Independence. The Office of Energy Independence is a new office created on May 23, 2007 when Governor Culver signed into law the $100 million Iowa Power Fund.

“I am thrilled to announce Roya Stanley as Iowa’s Director of the Office of Energy Independence,” said Governor Culver.

Roya Stanley has a record of achievement in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy that spans 25 years. More than 18 of these years were spent in Des Moines, where she worked for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa state energy office. As the Energy Bureau chief, she led the development of a state program which provided more than $150 million in energy efficiency project investments in Iowa public facilities resulting in reduced utility bills for tax payers. Stanley also collaborated with several Iowa organizations to develop the Iowa switchgrass initiative, laying the foundation for a cellulosic fuel of the future. She supported the development of Iowa’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which launched Iowa’s successful wind development program. In her last two years with the DNR, Stanley served as the Administrator for the Waste Management Assistance Division, with the goal of reducing the environment! al impact of waste products. In 2000, Stanley accepted a position with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in Golden, Colorado, where she led the laboratory’s efforts to provide research and development information to state and local officials and agricultural leaders across the country. Acting as a liaison, she provided timely dissemination of the most current information on renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and policy practices.

“When making this decision on this critically important appointment, I strongly believed that vast experience in the field was a necessity. Ms. Stanley has 25 years of experience in the field of renewable energy, both in Iowa and on a national level.

“In addition, she has a wide range of knowledge in the industry. This is a field that moves fast and changes on a dime, and Ms. Stanley’s experience makes her perfectly suited to lead our state’s efforts in renewable energy.”

As the Director, Roya Stanley will coordinate the administration of the Iowa Power Fund and lead public education about renewable energy, renewable fuels and energy efficiency. In addition, she will pursue new renewable funding from public and private sources and coordinate all existing state and federal grants, programs and policies having to do with renewable energy, renewable fuels and energy efficiency.

“Iowa’s economy is at a turning point,” continued Governor Culver. “Biofuels has been a terrific boon to our economy and without question has made us a leader in the renewable energy industry. We must now ask ourselves ‘what's next?’ The Iowa Power Fund allows us to answer this by providing the tools to begin researching and developing new forms of renewable energy. A cleaner environment and the jobs of tomorrow are at stake, and I am honored that Roya has agreed to work with me and Lt. Governor Patty Judge to lead this effort.”

“I am absolutely delighted to accept this appointment,” said Roya Stanley. “Being appointed to this important position is an enormous honor, and I look forward to returning to Iowa and working to maintain Iowa’s leadership in the field of renewable energy. Governor Culver has expressed to me how important it is that the Iowa Power Fund be used to find the next generation of renewable energy, and I plan on doing just that. This industry moves fast, and the creation of this Office in addition to the Iowa Power Fund proves that Iowa is serious in maintaining its leadership.”

Ms. Stanley earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Colorado State University. In her free time, she enjoys bicycling and is looking forward to experiencing the many bike trails Iowa offers.

The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

AS DESCRIBED BY HF 918, DUTIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF ENERGY INDEPENDENCE INCLUDE:

         Appointment by the governor, subject to Senate confirmation.

         Serves at the pleasure of the governor.

         Directs the Office of Energy Independence.

         Coordinates the administration of the Iowa Power Fund.

         Leads public education about renewable energy, renewable fuels, and energy efficiency.

         Pursues new renewable energy funding from public and private sources.

         Coordinates all existing state and Federal grants, programs, and policies having to do with renewable energy, renewable fuels, and energy efficiency.

         Is advisor to both the Governor and the General Assembly on matters involving renewable energy, renewable fuels and energy efficiency policy and legislation.

         Establishes performance measures for determining the effectiveness of renewable energy, renewable fuels, and energy efficiency.

         Coordinates assistance from the Departments of Economic Development and Natural Resources and the Iowa Utilities Board regarding administration of grants and loans from the Iowa Power Fund.

         Develops an Iowa energy independence plan.

         Submits an annual report by each November 1 to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and the General Assembly concerning the activities of the Office of Energy Independence, the Iowa Power Fund, and other department and agencies concerning renewable energy, renewable fuels, and energy efficiency.

         Reviews issues relative to the transport of bio-fuels and shall participate in multi-state efforts relating to renewable energy and energy efficiency.

         Adopts the final administrative rules concerning the programs and functions of the Office of Energy Independence and the Iowa Power Fund.