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| Date: | February 2, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Sandra Whalen | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5238 | | Contact Email: | sandra.whalen@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATE PASSES END TO NUCLEAR ENERGY BAN Senate Author DeKruif calls bill good for jobs, energy independence |
(ST. PAUL) – The Minnesota Senate has given bi-partisan support to a bill that will enable Minnesota to discuss all of its future energy options – including nuclear power, under a measure co-authored by Senator Al DeKruif.
Clean, inexpensive energy is an issue that has become increasingly popular with Americans seeking to become less dependent on oil and gas, and those looking at how future energy needs will be met. Minnesota recently mandated that a quarter of the state’s electricity be generated by renewable sources by 2025.
“This is a real energy bill, with jobs that will put Minnesota tradesmen back to work and that will offer certainty for businesses and job creators as they plan for tomorrow,” DeKruif said. “It is a path to energy independence and away from an energy policy in which we tie our own hands.”
Currently state law prohibits the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission from approving a Certificate of Need for constructing a new nuclear power plant. If the measure is passed and signed into law it would not require the building of a plant, but merely allow one to be considered.
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Senator DeKruif welcomes constituents to contact his Capitol office at 24G Capitol, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155, by phone at 651-296-5558, or via email at sen.al.dekruif@senate.mn.
