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State Representative John Ward
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4333
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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FUTURE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD LOOKS BRIGHT
ST. PAUL – Members of the State House and Senate, as well as members of the business community, today introduced their proposal for a Renewable Energy Standard (RES) for electricity of 25% by the year 2020. Representative John Ward (DFL – Brainerd) is a co-author of this bill that will move Minnesota into a cleaner future, increase rural economic development and decrease our dependence on foreign oil.
The group cited three reasons a RES has a good chance of passing this session: Minnesota voters in the recent election indicated strong support for renewable energy development, the Governor has indicated he supports a standard, and a recent study released by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) found that utilities could use wind power to generate up to 25 percent of their energy mix without a significant impact on energy costs.
"It appears that all parties are lining up this year behind a renewable energy standard," said Ward. "The people of Minnesota want it, the State Legislature wants it, the Governor supports it, and the recent PUC study shows that it's feasible. Let's get it done."
In addition to cleaning up our environment by burning less fossil fuel, a renewable energy standard will cause a surge in economic development in rural Minnesota.
"Right now, Minnesota imports more electricity than any other state," said Ward. "We have the capability of producing more than ten times our electricity needs from wind alone.
Let's keep those jobs and dollars here by producing our own electricity."
The state currently has a Renewable Energy Objective, requiting utilities to make a good faith effort to get 10 percent of their electricity from qualifying energy sources by 2015. The problem with the objective, according to Ward, is that it doesn't create a consistent, reliable market that would attract investment and jobs.
"By passing a standard, we win on many fronts," said Ward. "Good paying jobs will come into our rural districts, we can decrease our energy costs and our dependence on foreign oil, and we can focus on creating a good environment for the future."
For more information on the Renewable Energy Standard, you can contact Rep. Ward at (651) 296- 4333, or 1-800-683-4205, by mail at 533 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 or via e-mail at rep.john.ward@house.mn.
News Items
- 2013 Legislative Session Preview - (Posted: Jan 11 2013 8:39AM)
- Assistant Majority Leader Rep. John Ward Sworn-In as Legislative Session Starts - (Posted: Jan 8 2013 2:39PM)
- Rep. John Ward Elected Assistant Majority Leader and Selected to Serve as Vice Chair of Capital Investment Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-19 00:00:00)
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