RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD SUPPORTED BY REP. KIM NORTON

02/15/2007

February 15, 2007

RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD SUPPORTED BY REP. KIM NORTON

ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Legislature is focusing considerable attention this session on finding new and innovative ways to provide cleaner energy resources for our state to reduce the negative effects of global warming and set Minnesota on course to be a leader in renewable energy industries. This effort has bipartisan support in the House and Senate, and support from the Governor.

The goal of achieving a renewable energy standard for Minnesota has gotten off to a quick start in the Legislature this session - clearly demonstrating the fact that legislators are making this effort a top priority. A bill supported by State Representative Kim Norton was introduced in the House early this session that would provide a renewable energy standard for Minnesota. It was passed in the Energy Finance and Policy Division last week. A similar version of the bill was passed in the Senate as well.

This initiative, known as the 25/25 Renewable Energy Bill, would require utilities to produce at least 25 percent of their total energy from new, renewable sources by the year 2025. These sources include wind, solar, geothermal, and other innovative renewable energy sources. The bill is expected to pass on the floor of both the House and Senate next week. From there, Governor Pawlenty is expected to sign it into law.

"When enacted, this new standard will protect our environment from the harmful carbon emissions that cause global warming and set us on the cutting edge of renewable energy reform," said Norton. "It will produce jobs and investment in Minnesota industries. This is a step in the right direction for our state and a necessary effort in the fight against global climate change."

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 were done immediately to address this problem, approximately ¾ of the state's forests would effectively become grassland over the next century.

"I am a strong advocate for our environment, the economic future of this state, and this bill in particular" said Rep. Norton. "Inaction on the issue of climate change would not only be ignorant, but devastating. This is the first step of many that must be taken by our state to protect our economy, our environment, and our way of life."