Pawlenty's energy leader leaving job

Last update: July 15, 2008 - 8:48 PM

One of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's top officials on renewable energy is leaving his position.

Edward Garvey is resigning Aug. 8 as director of the Office of Energy Security and deputy commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Garvey, 47, had been chairman of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and director of the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance prior to his Commerce appointment in 2003.

In a news release, Pawlenty described Garvey as an "exceptional leader" and praised him for helping establish Minnesota's aggressive goals for renewable energy and energy efficiency. No successor has been named.

Garvey said Tuesday that his decision was entirely personal and that he will be pursuing other opportunities outside of state government.

Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon, DFL-Duluth, chairwoman of the Senate Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications Committee, said Garvey's departure raises questions about the momentum for energy reform in Minnesota, particularly if Pawlenty -- a law school classmate of Garvey's at the University of Minnesota -- were to become the Republican nominee for vice president.

"He's somebody, in general, who has been easy to work with," Prettner Solon said. "I'm sorry to see him leave."

BILL MCAULIFFE

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Governor: Tim Pawlenty
One of only a few prominent Republicans to win a competitive re-election contest in the Democratic sweep of 2006, Tim Pawlenty is widely seen as politically shrewd and naturally likable.

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