Minnesota's Energy Revolution

Great Lakes Guy: February 2007: "Minnesota's Energy Revolution. With the wind and ethanol industries generating thousands of jobs in Minnesota, state Senator Ellen Anderson is advancing a proposal that would require energy companies to derive 25 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2025, according to a recent report from Minnesota Public Radio.

According to the report, the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications unanimously passed the bill, which is supported by a rare coalition of environmentalists, utility companies, the state Chamber of Commerce, as well as a group of Senators and Governor Tim Pawlenty. Gov. Pawlenty champions alternative energy as a strategic move to modernize Minnesota's economy, reduce America's dependence on foreign oil, and conserve his state's unique environment.

'I think we just experienced a revolution in Minnesota,' Senator Anderson told MPR. 'This is a very strong bill that would lead the nation in terms of its requirements for new renewable energy and for wind energy.'

With the legislation likely to pass, Minnesota is poised to become the clear-cut leader of alternative energy innovation in the greater Great Lakes region, if they're not already there."

Helge: Alternative energy modernize economies, renewable resources and lesser dependence on foreign oil. There is a stron trend towards new forms of fuel. This trend is also visible as action plans and investments in Europe. The change isn't happening without critic and controversies.

MINNESOTA ETHANOL $ 5 BILLION BUSINESS 2008

The ethanol industry is projected to do $5 billion in business in 2008, according to a report in today's [Wednesday, January 31, 2007] West Central Tribune. The industry also could generate approximately 18,400 jobs for rural minnesotans.

“For a long time, people weren’t seeing the results” from the state’s investment in ethanol," Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson told the Tribune.

In 2007, 16 ethanol plants consumed 15 percent of the state's corn production to produce 550 million gallons of fuel. The estimated economic impact was $2.77 billion and more 10,300 jobs.

Five new or expanded plants are expected to add to production in 2008, pushing the state's estimated ethanol capacity to more than 1 billion gallons.