Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter (R) in October appointed Paul Kjellander, former president of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, as administrator of the new Idaho Office of Energy Resources.

Created through an Executive Order, the new Office of Energy Resources under the governor’s office replaces the state’s Division of Energy, formerly within the Idaho Department of Water Resources. As head of the new state energy department, Kjellander is charged with overseeing energy planning, policy, conservation and coordination for Idaho.

Ken Miller, clean energy program director for the Boise-based nuclear watchdog group Snakeriver Alliance says the state has for a long time needed an agency dedicated to meeting the state’s energy needs.

“We need a stronger voice for energy policies here in Idaho,” Miller says. “The Idaho Energy Division has done a stalwart job given the resources they have.” Miller notes the organization did not receive any state funding, and therefore relied on federal funding. “They were unable to advance policy or take on challenges that need to be addressed in Idaho on energy issues,” he says.

The governor would include funding for the new state energy office when the Idaho state legislature meets in January 2008. Kjellander was unavailable for comment.