Minnesota lawmakers took an important step on Thursday in efforts to move to alternative and renewable energy sources as the Senate overwhelmingly approved a measure requiring state utilities to generate at least 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources, such as wind, by 2025.
Hopefully, the House will also put the issue on a fast track, with a similar bill slated to for a House panel vote on Monday.
When the bill reaches Gov. Tim Pawlenty's desk -- and he's offered very similar proposals himself -- Minnesota would join 21 other states with renewable energy standards. It sets the stage for Minnesota to protect the environment, answer industry concerns and generate new industry infrastructure investment.
The Senate bill is stricter with Xcel Energy, which provides half the state's electricity, by mandating the utility to get 30 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020, of which a quarter must be from wind. In all, the proposal would require adding about 5,000 megawatts of renewable generating capacity to the state's electricity grid, eight times more than what is currently generated from renewable 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," says Steve Morse, executive director of Minnesota Environmental Partnership, the statewide coalition of more than 80 conservation and environmental organizations.
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"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," adds Nancy Lange, clean air program coordinator for the Izaak Walton League of America and co-chairwoman of Clean Energy Minnesota.
The bill was approved 63-3, with Sen. Rod Skoe of Clearbrook the only Democrat in opposition, citing that it gives the state Public Utilities Commission too much power. He opposes language that the PUC interfere with implementing the standard if it decides "it is in the public interest to do so."
We aren't as concerned, however, as the language allows the PUC to consider the economic and competitive pressures faced by customers and, if necessary, to delay or modify the mandate. The move serves to protect ratepayers, and is something the Legislature can act to overturn if abused.
The next step needs to be the development of community-based renewable energy projects and a push for energy conservation. Taken together, the steps will make a dent in moving Minnesota away from being the nation's largest importer of electricity.
