President Obama has voiced that "climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time." In his State of the Union, he expressed the importance of passing a comprehensive clean energy bill in order to meet this challenge and help recover the American economy. In the recently released 2010 Economic Report of the President, it was reported that "a clean energy transformation is essential."
In a just-released study, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) found that "if Congress passed climate and energy legislation that strengthened the energy efficiency and renewable energy standards in [the ACES bill] the House of Representatives approved last June, consumer electric and natural gas costs would be $113 billion lower by 2030, and emitters would pay 4 percent less in compliance costs." Read the entire analysis here.
Yesterday, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner came to Minnesota to check out our clean energy economy. He toured Honeywell's Golden Valley facility to see how manufacturing for energy efficiency and clean energy creates jobs and stimulates the economy. Later, he participated in a roundtable discussion where he highlighted the need for the federal government to develop policies that will spark increased clean energy jobs and economic development in the states, something we're already benefiting from in Minnesota. He also announced $5 billion in clean energy manufacturing tax credits in addition to the $100 billion clean energy stimulus dollars.
Read more about his visit in the Star Tribune.
Midwest state and local government elected officials are among the thousands who have converged on Copenhagen, Denmark to urge the leaders of 192 nations to come together to tackle climate change. Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin is the highest ranking midwestern elected official with a public role here, giving a key address. "Why would someone fight to maintain an energy system that basically imports all of our fuels (from outside of Wisconsin)?" Doyle asked. He intends to meet with the largest American manufacturer of wind turbines, General Electric and the largest Danish maker of wind turbines while in Copenhagen.
At Fresh Energy, we focus on solutions to create clean energy jobs, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and protect the environment. We have a record of meticulous non-partisanship, and we know that we cannot fix our energy challenges with only one political party on board.
We feel proud that we helped to forge political consensus here in Minnesota, especially during the 2007 legislature, when 90% of the politicians voted for sweeping changes in energy and environmental protection, signed into law by Governor Pawlenty. Those sweeping changes included that one quarter of our state's electricity would come from renewable energy like solar and wind by 2020. In addition, by 2020, even more new energy would come from utilities investing in energy-savings programs.
Today, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act was introduced in the United States Senate. For text and summary options, see below.
This fall I'll be out and about in greater Minnesota, giving public presentations on growing a clean energy economy in Minnesota and the United States. My upcoming presentations are in Austin on September 19 at REfest, Detroit Lakes on September 28, and two presentations at Bemidji State University on September 29. We'll have details posted soon on my November 1 presentation in St. Peter. All of these presentations are free and open to the public. More details and event flyers are posted on our events calendar. Please spread the word to friends and family in these local areas. I hope to see you in person at an event near you!
Senators Boxer and Kerry just announced a small delay in the introduction of the climate and energy bill. The bill will now be introduced in late September.
Posted by: Kate Ellis in event, coal, clean energy, action on
Jun 25, 2009
The Elk River Municipal Utility is considering buying into the Big Stone II coal-fired power plant proposed to be built near Milbank, South Dakota (learn more about Big Stone II). Even though utilities and states across the nation are abandoning plans for coal plants--power plants that will pollute and create unstable rates for consumers for 40-50 years-backers of Big Stone II continue down this uneconomic and environmentally irresponsible path.
Elk River took an early lead in seeking better energy options by earning an Energy City designation in 1997. This progress should not be undermined by buying into this backward-looking, obsolete form of energy.
Fresh Energy Blog