Renewable Energy

02/23/2007

Greetings DFLer's, a message from Representative Ken Tschumper 31B.

Regards,

Dawn L. Schomisch
1st Congressional District Secretary

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MINNESOTA LEADS THE NATION WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD

ST. PAUL - The 2007 Legislative Session has been underway for almost two months. In this short period of time, members of the House and Senate have made significant progress on a number of key issues that are important to Minnesotans including fair funding for education, health care reform, and property tax relief. Today, the Legislature achieved further success on the House floor by passing the most aggressive renewable energy standard in the country by an overwhelming margin.

This bill, known as the 25/25 Renewable Energy Standard, requires utilities to produce at least 25 percent of their total energy from new, renewable resources by the year 2025. These sources include wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and other innovative renewable energy sources. Proponents of the bill say that this new standard will significantly reduce our state's contribution to the global warming crisis and place Minnesota on the cusp of a new and booming domestic renewable energy industry.

"By passing this bill today we have demonstrated to the rest of the country our concern for our natural resources, our commitment to a healthy and progressive economy, and our sincere interest in the overall livelihood of all Minnesotans," said Rep. Ken Tschumper, a strong supporter of the bill.

The Senate passed the same version of the bill just a week ago with similar success. Governor Pawlenty is now expected to sign the bill into law in the coming weeks making Minnesota the first state to so aggressively address the global warming crisis.

"Enacting this new standard will make us a leader in renewable energy reform," said Rep. Tschumper. "It will produce jobs and investment in Minnesota industries. Taking a national leadership role on this initiative is a step in the right direction for our state."

Recent studies have shown that if global warming continues at its current rate, the damage to Minnesota's natural resources will be devastating. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency predicts that global warming could completely destroy the Boundary Waters' boreal forests, dramatically lower lake levels across the state, decrease ice cover during the winter, and threaten waterfowl populations. If nothing is done to immediately address this growing crisis, approximately ¾ of the state's forests - stretching all the way to the Canadian border - will effectively become grassland over the next century.

"The future of our state depends on our actions today," said Tschumper. "Our cooperation in a common effort to protect our environment is extremely important not only this session, but for all future legislative sessions as well."