District 22A Rep. Doug Magnus, R-Slayton, has authored legislation that would boost development of renewable energy statewide. The bill is commendable for both its foresight and its primary goal of maintaining Minnesota's position as a renewable energy leader.
One portion of Magnus' bill would create the NextGen Energy Board, which he says would examine the futures of such fuels as synthetic gases, biobutanol, hydrogen, methanol, diesel and ethanol within Minnesota. (We can't help but notice that ethanol is just one of many parts of this big picture.) The board would also examine how state and federal programs can work together, and recommend how Minnesota can best invest toward an energy-independent future.
A second portion of Magnus' bill would create another board promoting gasification technologies and lessening of dependence on fossil energy. This part of his legislation would receive $5 million in funding in both 2008 and 2009; part one of his bill calls for $9 million per year in funding each year from 2010 to 2020.
As Minnesota works toward meeting its new renewable energy standard, it's important that legislation exists to help make this achievement possible. While some may question the cost of Magnus' proposals, expansion of renewable energy industries can unquestionably pay economic dividends down the road.
"This bill will move Minnesota ahead in the biofuels and biomass industries, eliminate duplication and promote local ownership," Magnus said in a press release. "Instead of funding special interest groups, we will actually be funding energy independence, and that's good news for all of us."
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Good news, indeed.
