Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jim Newberger (R)

Back to profile

News from Rep. Jim Newberger 2-16-2016

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Dear Friends,

 

We are rapidly approaching the start of the 2016 Legislative Session, and I wanted to update you on some of the big issues that impact our state and our district.

 

 

Power Plants

 

 

As we all know, Xcel energy released its plan to shut down 2 of the 3 Sherco power units, starting in 2023. This is in response to President Obama's Clean Power Plan. Many power plants around the nation are facing the same fate. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered a delay in the plan until other pending legal issues had been resolved in the courts. Over one-half of the states have joined in the legal battle to stop this plan from moving forward. I agree with claims that the Obama Clean Power Plan will drive up the cost of energy, reduce the reliability of the system, and will eliminate thousands of well-paying jobs.

 

 

Minnesota is a winter state. We need affordable energy!

 

 

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has been conducting public meetings to address the implementation of the Obama Clean Power Plan.

 

 

I attended one of these meetings recently in St. Cloud, and spoke on behalf of the community and our power industry. Simply put, I do not want to see our coal power plants close their doors and cease operations.

 

I also drafted a letter to Governor Dayton and the MPCA Commissioner asking them to cease these meetings and halt further progress of any new energy plans until after the issue has been settled in court. Nineteen other GOP legislators cosign the letter, including Speaker Kurt Daudt and Majority Leader Joyce Peppin.

 

 

I am still waiting for the Governor to reply directly to my letter. However, Governor Dayton did issue a press statement that declared his intention to continue with the Obama Clean Power Plan implementation.

 

At this time, we are working to extend the life of our current power plants, and developing plans to expand and build a new gas power plant in Becker. I plan to be the chief author of a bill that will make our new gas plant a reality. It's going to be a heavy lift, but I am willing to do to the hard work to make this happen.

 

 

Forest Lands

 

 

Also, as you may know, the DNR has been actively pursuing its plan to clear-cut large sections of state forest lands in the Orrock area of our district. I have attend several meetings addressing this issue and have met with local leaders and residents to gain input on this.

 

I am currently working on legislation to increase local control to the affected communities who are experiencing clear-cutting by the DNR. Suffice to say, the DNR has not done a good job in communicating with the public, or in implementing their plan. I will continue to work on this issue throughout the legislative session.

 

 

Farm Lands

 

 

Again, the DNR has started to restrict farmers’ access to irrigation. Last year I authored three amendments that were passed into law. These amendments brought some regulatory relief to the farmers who irrigate their lands. I will continue to work on irrigation issues this session, and with the help of a few other GOP representatives, we should be able to address the concerns of irrigators. We are also going to work to hammer out the Buffer Strip Law. We had a bipartisan agreement last session that was loosely interpreted by the DNR. Private ditches were not intended to be part of the restriction. We will work this session will clarify that language, and keep the DNR from bullying the citizens of Minnesota.

 

 

Budget Surplus

 

 

The state will be facing a budget surplus of about $1.2 billion. I support giving money back to the tax payers, reducing state debt, passing significant tax relief, and improving road and bridge infrastructure. The budget surplus will be a huge issue as the session unfolds.

 

 

There are many other areas we will be working on this session. Please feel free to contact me with your questions and concerns.

 

Thank you for the privilege of serving you in the Minnesota House of Representatives!

 

 

God's peace,

 

 

Jim