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State Representative David Bly
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0171
For more information contact: Michael Howard 651-296-8873
MEDIA ADVISORY
BLY INTRODUCES NATION-LEADING RENEWABLE ENERGY LEGISLATION
ST. PAUL – Rep. David Bly (DFL – Northfield) introduced legislation aimed to substantially increase local renewable energy usage in Minnesota. Bly's legislation (HF 3537) would promote renewable energy projects through a mechanism known as feed-in tariffs, which create a fixed price for renewable energy paid by the local utility company to renewable energy producers. Bly will present his bill to the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee on Monday, March 3rd at 2:15 p.m.
Countries in Europe, and Germany in particular, have become world leaders in wind and solar energy as a result of feed-in tariff policies. Germany, who has less wind power capacity than Minnesota, experienced a 70% increase in their wind power development during the first decade of their feed-in tariff policies. Recently, other renewable resource rich states like Michigan, Illinois, and California have introduced similar legislation.
Currently, the federal government subsidizes large energy providers, but roadblocks make it difficult for cost-effective local renewable energy production. By guaranteeing a fixed price from the utility company, feed-in tariffs make local renewable energy production much more feasible. As in Germany, feed-in tariffs could significantly move Minnesota toward their nation-leading renewable energy standard and deliver positive economic impact by increasing in-state energy production. Currently, in Minnesota over 90% of the fuel we use to generate electricity is imported.
WHO: Representative David Bly
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee
WHAT: Rep. Bly presents HF 3537 – Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (REFIT) Proposal
WHERE: State Office Building
Room 200
WHEN: Monday, March 3rd
2:15 p.m.
-30-
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