NEWS
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February 7, 2007 Contact: Minnesota Senate passes historic Renewable Energy Standard St. Paul, MN...By a vote of 61 to 4 earlier today, the Minnesota Senate approved legislation to ensure that approximately 25 percent of our state’s electricity would come from clean, renewable sources by the year 2020. "This Renewable Electricity Standard opens the door to a new electricity industry that will bring thousands of jobs and pump billions of dollars into Minnesota’s economy. Our state is one step closer to creating a modern and reliable energy system for the 21st century," said Michael Noble, executive director of Fresh Energy. "As the largest importer of electricity in the nation, Minnesota has taken a giant leap forward today toward energy independence. It makes economic and environmental sense to create 25% of our electricity by 2020 and aggressively look at the options available to create global warming solutions in our state," Noble concluded. The Standard is a flexible, market-based policy for rapidly expanding renewable energy. It sets a requirement that a growing percentage of power generation must come from new renewable energy facilities. The results will be expanded business opportunities and financial investments in wind power, biomass, solar power, and other local renewable energy sources. “Using Minnesota’s clean, renewable resources to generate power keeps our energy dollars at work right here at home. This creates jobs, strengthens our economy, and results in a cleaner environment, all at the same time,” stated Steve Morse, executive director of Minnesota Environmental Partnership, the statewide coalition of more than 80 conservation and environmental organizations. "With the Senate's approval of this vigorous renewable energy standard, we are moving onto a cleaner energy pathway for Minnesota and taking an essential step to reduce the pollution that is causing global warming. Clean Energy Minnesota and all of our allies look forward to the Governor's signature on this nation-leading legislation," said Nancy Lange, clean air program coordinator for the Izaak Walton League of America and co-chair of Clean Energy Minnesota. Following the Senate’s approval, focus now shifts to the Minnesota House, where the Energy Finance and Policy Division Committee is scheduled to debate similar legislation this afternoon. For more information, check out www.CleanEnergyMinnesota.org - end |
