“Working toward Minnesota Energy Security”

Just a few years ago, $3.20 for a gallon of gas was unthinkable. With people in Northern Minnesota driving 40, 50 or even 60 miles to get to work and another winter of record heating prices coming up, we need to get credible solutions moving now to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

We cannot wait years until the technology has been absolutely perfected: we need to move forward with innovations that are ready to go.
The first common sense measure is energy conservation. Conserving energy sometimes takes up-front investment, but it reduces waste and takes pressure off our traditional energy sources.

Second, we need reliable alternatives to fossil fuels. Renewable fuels like ethanol, biodiesel and biomass, and energy sources like wind, solar and geothermal reduce pollution and are available to us now. These renewable energy sources are produced and refined here and can help drive new economic growth in rural Minnesota. A new study from the Dept. of Commerce shows that Northwestern Minnesota is one of the most viable parts of the state for wind energy production.

Greater utilization of clean energy technologies will also help the environment and our health.

Some fear that diversifying our energy mix will cost consumers more, but I believe the opposite is true. For one thing, oil and gas prices are already skyrocketing. The prices of wind and solar are stable and don’t fluctuate with every tropical storm or political conflict. Investing in renewables is our only hedge against the uncertain future of fossil fuels and will increase our energy security. Wouldn’t you rather have the hard-earned dollars you spend filling up the tank creating jobs in rural Minnesota instead of adding to multi-billion dollar oil company profits?

Here’s what I believe the next steps are:

• Pass the Renewable Energy Standard to get 20% of our energy from renewable sources by 2020. Despite the forces against this legislation, it is overwhelmingly supported by Minnesotans.
• Encourage more energy conservation, starting with the public sector. I authored legislation this year that would have saved taxpayer dollars by conserving energy in nursing homes. I also co-authored a proposal to exempt fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles from the motor vehicle sales tax.
• Encourage business entrepreneurs to invest in new technologies, to start new businesses providing access to alternative energy sources.
• Promote better mass transit. Fewer cars on the road in our highly populated areas means less air pollution and will free up gasoline supplies for areas of the state that are not as conducive to mass transit solutions.