ST. PAUL -- Minnesota is closer to adopting a new alternative energy standard after senators voted Thursday to require a quarter of utilities' electricity come from renewable sources by 2025.
The bill imposes an even stricter standard for Xcel Energy, which provides half the state's electricity. Thirty percent of Xcel's electricity must be from renewable sources by 2020. One-fourth of that must be wind energy.
The Senate passed the bill 63-3 Thursday, a day after giving it a preliminary approval. Representatives are considering similar legislation in the House starting Monday in a committee.
Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon, who helped write the Senate version, said it will "set our state on the road to energy independence."
"It's a win-win solution for Minnesota," said Prettner Solon, DFL-Duluth. "By implementing this standard, we will improve our environment and also attract new jobs and investment to our state."
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"This taps into the growing interest to use Minnesota's resources for energy," added Sen. Dan Skogen, DFL-Hewitt. Wind farms mainly in western and southern areas of the state could be a large source of energy for the new standard.
Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is pushing his own broad renewable energy and fuel conservation proposal, said he had hoped the DFL-controlled Legislature would pass a similarly comprehensive package this year.
"I think what the Senate did sounds really good," Pawlenty told reporters Thursday.
The legislation would replace an existing, but less aggressive, renewable energy standard. Utility companies, environmentalists and other stakeholders support the Senate measure.
Sen. Rod Skoe of Clearbrook was the only Democrat to oppose the bill. He said the legislation gives the state Public Utilities Commission excessive power over details of the new standard.
Under the proposal, the commission is required to interfere with the standard's implementation if it decides "it is in the public interest to do so."
"We're turning over way too much authority to the PUC," Skoe said.
Skoe said he's not worried that his constituents might be disappointed he voted against the popular legislation. If it becomes an issue in his next election bid, Skoe said, he'll be ready to explain his decision.
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Scott Wente works for Forum Communications Co., which owns the Bemidji Pioneer.
