Businesses or industries that consume large amounts of water would have been restricted from tapping into the Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer unless there were no feasible alternative.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty said in his veto letter, “The enhanced water use restrictions … are a significant obstacle to business expansion within the area served by the aquifer and are unnecessary given the current regulatory scheme, which is sufficient.” Sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Kalin (DFL-North Branch) and Sen. Rick Olseen (DFL-Harris), the bill also would have allowed the state to issue a permit for a biofuel or agricultural processing facility to use the aquifer for nondomestic use if there is no feasible or practical alternatives.
HF2634/
SF2185*/CH341
Doling out resources
Omnibus environment and natural resources law also contains energy provisions
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Published 6/1/2010
Definitions matter
Language for environment and energy spending called into question
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Published 5/13/2010
Supplant or supplement?
Some think constitutionally dedicated funds may be filling traditional funding void
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Published 4/29/2010
Sinking the law on sunken timber
DNR intends to let sleeping logs lie
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Published 4/29/2010
Minnesota Index: Earth, wind and fire
Figures and statistics on Earth Day and the environment
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Published 4/15/2010
Minnesota Index: Quality of life
Figures and statistics on Minnesota's quality of life
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Published 3/25/2010
Talkin’ trash
PCA discovers interpreting the letter of the law isn’t easy
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Published 3/18/2010
Land wHOa!
Audit suggests DNR has more land than they can manage
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Published 3/11/2010
Safe Drug Disposal Act
Leftover drugs find their way to fish and teens
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Published 2/11/2010
At Issue: Money for outdoors, arts gets green light
Legacy bill passes but still needs work
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Published 5/29/2009
At Issue: Unearthing the state’s past
Legacy bill moves through final process quickly, awaits floor action
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Published 5/8/2009
At Issue: Funding environment and energy
Conferees make additional spending cuts
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Published 5/8/2009
First Reading: Wildfire in slow motion
Emerald ash borer ignites prevention policies
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Published 5/1/2009
At Issue: Animal, vegetable, mineral … or chemical?
Toxic Free Kids Act survives House floor omnibus debate
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Published 4/24/2009
At Issue: Control-alt-delete
Electronic waste collections called ‘too successful’
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Published 4/10/2009
Minnesota Index: Extreme weather
Figures and statistics on weather records in Minnesota
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Published 4/10/2009
At Issue: Spending new proceeds
Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council considers projects for new tax receipts
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Published 2/6/2009