ST. PAUL, MN—Chair of the House Job Growth and Energy Affordability (JGEA) Committee Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, and Representative Jim Newberger, R-Becker, held a press conference Monday morning to preview a field meeting of the JGEA Committee taking place in Becker, MN Monday evening. The hearing follows a tour of the Xcel Energy Sherco Power Plant and will focus on the impacts of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Power Plan.
"Democrats support a Bermuda Triangle of mindless energy policies; they oppose pipelines, they oppose environmentally-friendly mining on the Iron Range, and they support the Clean Power Plan which is going to mean higher energy prices and crippling job losses for Minnesota," Garofalo said. "Becker is not the only community that would be devastated by the loss of a coal power plant. If Sherco and other coal plants close, we're talking about the loss of millions in local property tax revenue and hundreds of jobs that support families across the state. Earlier this week I called on Governor Dayton to join a bipartisan coalition of legislators who oppose the EPA's efforts and work with us to develop policies that make energy cleaner and cheaper without the devastating economy effects that will come with the EPA's plan."
"My community has the most to lose from the implementation of President Obama's Power Plan," Newberger added. "Families are worried about their jobs. It's not just the jobs at Sherco—if Sherco closes, our city loses property taxes that will mean layoffs at city hall. Service jobs connected to economic activity at Sherco will decline. Central Minnesota and other communities that rely on coal jobs will be devastated if this plan goes into effect. Governor Dayton should join our neighboring states in opposing higher energy costs and job losses, and work with us on energy policies that protect Minnesota jobs and the energy bills of families."
"I hope Governor Dayton will pay attention to the concerns voiced by my constituents tonight and take them seriously. This isn't about politics—this is about their livelihoods and their well-being," Newberger concluded.
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