For Immediate Release February 19, 2007 |
Contact: Minnesota House passes strongest Renewable Energy Standard in the nation - Governor expected to sign St. Paul, MN...Following strong leadership from the Minnesota Senate, the North Star State took a significant step toward a clean and modern energy system, as the Minnesota House of Representatives passed (S.F. 0004) 123-10 a Renewable Energy Standard that requires utilities to get an average of 25 percent of their electricity from renewable energy by the year 2020. The Minnesota Senate passed the same bill by a vote of 61-4 on February 7. This is the strongest legislation of its kind in the United States and Governor Tim Pawlenty is expected to swiftly sign it into law. "This Renewable Energy Standard blows open the door to a new electricity industry that will bring thousands of jobs and pump billions of dollars into Minnesota’s economy. It makes economic and environmental sense to create 25 percent of our electricity by 2020 and aggressively look at the options available to create global warming solutions in our state," said Michael Noble, executive director of Fresh Energy. The Renewable Energy 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. J. Drake Hamilton, Science Policy Director for Fresh Energy, explained that a Renewable Energy Standard is a major step in the fight against global warming. “When we use renewable energy instead of dirty fossil fuels, we are spewing less global warming pollution into our atmosphere. This is a responsible, commonsense energy policy that moves us towards a healthier environment, strengthens our economy, and puts us on the path to energy independence," asserted Hamilton. Minnesota has the potential to generate almost 18 times its current electricity needs from renewable energy. More than 20 other states have enacted similar laws, and are experiencing significant new investments and increased tax revenues. - end - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fresh Energy is a nonprofit organization leading the transition to a clean energy system. One that supports the health of our economies, our people, and our environment while moving us toward energy independence. www.fresh-energy.org |