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State Representative Leon Lillie
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-1188
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
NEWS COLUMN
ENERGY REFORM A TOP PRIORITY THIS SESSION
Last summer I heard a comedian say that Minnesota is the only state cheering-on global warming. With our recent sub-zero cold spell, there are certainly days we could all appreciate warmer temperatures. But with average annual temperatures continually rising, global warming is no laughing matter.
Members of the Minnesota House and Senate – including myself – met several weeks ago for a presentation on the global warming crisis by polar explorer and Minnesota native Will Steger. Eight legislative committees that consider issues of environment, energy, and transportation attended the meeting.
Mr. Steger made it clear that global warming could devastate Minnesota's natural resources. In fact, 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.
This session the Minnesota Legislature is focusing considerable attention 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 Legislature has taken the first step in doing so this session by passing the 25/25 Renewable Energy Standard – a bill I co-authored – by an overwhelming margin of 123 to 10 in the House and 63-3 in the Senate. Governor Pawlenty is expected to sign the bill into law this week.
This new standard will require utilities to produce at least 25 percent of their total energy from new, renewable resources by the year 2025. Being the most aggressive standard in the country, it will make Minnesota a national leader in the renewable energy industry.
I strongly believe this new standard will move our state in the right direction. Future generations will look back to this legislation as good policy passed at a critical time. It will bring new jobs to our state, promote significant investment in Minnesota industries, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and put our state in the position to harness a very promising economic opportunity.
This new standard will not only jump-start a booming renewable energy industry in Minnesota, it will protect our vital natural resources and reduce our state's contribution to the global warming crisis. But there is much more we can do in government and as individuals for our economy, energy security, and environment.
Aside from this bill and other efforts by the state, within our own community there are some great local efforts in the fight against global warming. Specifically, Maplewood and Ramsey County are currently discussing a joint wind energy project. Also, people in North St. Paul are able to buy green energy. These and other efforts are work we can all be proud of.
I am a strong advocate for these local efforts, the renewable energy bill, our environment, and the economic future of this state. The negative effects of inaction on the issue of global warming would be devastating. These are the first steps of many that must be taken to protect our economy, our environment, and our way of life.
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