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State Representative Tom Anzelc
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4936
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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REP. TOM ANZELC PRAISES PASSAGE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD
Representative Tom Anzelc (DFL-Balsam Township) today applauded the passage of H.F. 4, the Renewable Energy Standard.
"This is a historic day in Minnesota," Anzelc said. "We're sowing the seeds of a new industry that will create hundreds of jobs. We can build wind turbines in Northeastern Minnesota and use them to harness the wind in the Southwest – this bill can create good jobs that are good for the environment."
Anzelc noted that in addition to the economic benefits, the Renewable Energy Standard is good environmental policy as it will combat the danger of global climate change by reducing carbon emissions from electrical generation.
"Minnesotans know that we need to be good stewards of the environment," he said. "Our values demand that we protect and preserve our rich natural resources so that future generations can enjoy them."
Anzelc pointed to information provided by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, which showed that an increase in temperature could decrease ice cover during the winter, lower lake levels in the summer, threaten waterfowl populations and destroy forests.
"Global warming threatens many of the traditions that we hold dear, from ice-fishing to summer fishing to duck hunting to backyard hockey rinks. The Renewable Energy Standard is a good first step towards confronting this problem," he said.
Anzelc said he was particularly pleased to see "off ramps" included in the bill that will allow utilities to go to the Public Utilities Commission and ask for an exemption if the standard becomes too much of a burden.
"The bill will enable large industrial rate payers such as paper mills and taconite plants to work with the Public Utilities Commission to avoid large cost increases," he said.
The Renewable Energy Standard requires utilities to generate at least 25% of their electricity from renewable sources by the year 2025. The vast majority of that energy is expected to come from wind power, though some will come from solar and biomass. The standard passed the Minnesota House by a margin of 123 to 10. The legislation passed the Senate last week by a margin of 63-3. Governor Pawlenty is also a supporter of the bill.
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News Items
- STATE REPRESENTATIVE TOM ANZELC APPOINTED VICE-CHAIR OF HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE - (Posted: Dec 21 2012 12:00AM)
- Rep. Tom Anzelc participates in Governor Dayton’s “Working for Minnesota Jobs” discussion with Essar Steel and Magnetation - (Posted: 2012-10-03 00:00:00)
- REP. ANZELC: DISASTER RELIEF PACKAGE PROVIDES DESPERATELY NEEDED STATE AID - (Posted: 2012-08-24 00:00:00)
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