Accessibility menu
State Representative John Benson
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9934
For more information contact: Charlene Briner 651-296-5809
Press/News Releases
REP. BENSON RECEIVES 100% RATING FOR CONSERVATION SUPPORT IN LEGISLATURE
ST. PAUL – Rep. John Benson has earned a 100% voting rating from the Conservation Minnesota Voter Center for his commitment to conservation during the 2007 Legislative Session. Conservation Minnesota is a non-partisan environmental group that called the 2007 legislative session the most productive in a generation. It attributed the productive session to strong citizen coalition efforts, a solid strategy, and true bipartisanship at the legislature.
"The policies we enacted to protect Minnesota's vulnerable waterways and take the lead on renewable energy will impact the quality of life for generations to come," said Benson. "The Renewable Energy Standard in particular will create high-paying Minnesota jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and produce significant reductions in global warming emissions, resulting in cleaner air and water."
The 2007 Session was marked by historic achievements, including passage of the renewable energy standard that mandates production of 25% of Minnesota's energy from renewable sources by 2025 and creation of a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. The legislature also ratified a Great Lakes water compact and enacted a nation leading law for electronic waste recycling.
The scorecard signaled a significant turn toward conservation by state officials. According to Voter Center Executive Director Paul Austin, “This scorecard documents that the 2007 legislative session was a strong one for Minnesota families who care about clean water, air and wildlife, and creating jobs with a clean energy policy. In many ways it was a breakthrough year for Minnesota’s Great Outdoors."
Austin cited the diverse coalition of conservation and environmental groups working with legislators on key issues as a key factor in the successful session.
"Minnesota's natural resources are a key part of Minnesota's way of life and our economy," said Benson. "More importantly, we have a moral obligation to our children to reduce pollution and repair the environmental damage that's already been done. I'll continue my time at the Legislature with that charge in mind."
-30-
News Items
- Rep. John Benson: Southwest Light Rail Transit Good For Businesses, Communities, and Our Future - (Posted: 2012-09-13 00:00:00)
- Legislature Passes Bonding & Vikings Bills, Neglects Skyrocketing Property Taxes - (Posted: 2012-05-10 00:00:00)
- Legislative Update - May 8, 2012 - (Posted: 2012-05-08 00:00:00)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.