Minnesota - even with our ample opportunity to produce our own energy with wind, solar, ethanol, or biomass - is the most energy-dependent state in the nation. We import more electricity than any other state. We can and must do better than this.
We, as a state and nation, are addicted to foreign fuels. These sources of energy are finite resources, pollute our environment, and make us dependent on unstable regions of the world. To break this pattern, we need to put serious effort into producing cleaner, renewable, and homegrown sources of energy.
That is why I am so pleased that the Senate has proposed a Renewable Energy Standard that would make Minnesota a national leader in renewable energy production. This Renewable Energy Standard would require utilities to produce at least 25 percent of their total energy from new, renewable sources by the year 2020. This legislation builds on Minnesota's current Renewable Energy Objective, which asks utilities to make a good-faith effort to have at least 10 percent of their energy mix come from renewable sources by 2015.
Beyond the obvious environmental benefits of the Renewable Energy Standard, I'm very excited about the economic benefits it could bring to our district and all of rural Minnesota. The Renewable Energy Standard could jump-start the alternative energy industry in Minnesota - meaning thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in investments in our state's economy. Further, a Renewable Energy Standard would be great news for Minnesota farmers, opening new doors and creating new markets for farmers' production.
Although a 25 percent Renewable Energy Standard seems a lofty goal, a study recently performed by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commissions shows that it is completely attainable by the state. It found that utilities could use wind power to generate up to 25 percent of their energy mix without a significant impact on energy costs.
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Many rural utilities have expressed concern that a Renewable Energy Standard could drive energy prices up. That's simply untrue. The Senate made cost-protection for utility customers a priority when developing the Renewable Energy Standard legislation. If a utility does not have the technological or financial ability to reach the Renewable Energy Standard without raising energy prices, they will receive a waiver from the Public Utilities Commission, allowing a delay or modification of the standard. In fact, many predict that electricity costs will decrease if a Renewable Energy Standard is implemented due to the surge in competition from renewable-energy providers.
I am very glad the Senate is taking ambitious and proactive steps to increase our state's use of renewable energy. I'm confident that Minnesota will see a Renewable Energy Standard enacted this year, with many new legislators who want to see it passed and the governor becoming more supportive of renewable-energy programs.
Minnesota Senator Tony Lourey can be contacted at: sen.tony.lourey@senate.mn , phone (651)-296-0293 or write to 205 State Capitol, St. Paul, MN 55155-1606.
