Wind Energy Victim of Line Item Vetoes

March 15, 2010

PAWLENTY VETO TAKES THE WIND OUT FROM UNDER CANBY TURBINE
Minnesota West wind turbine training facility falls to Governor’s
line-item veto

ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Pawlenty’s veto pen today eliminated $200,000
in planning and design funding for the installation of a
commercial-scale wind turbine at Minnesota West Community and Technical
College. State Rep. Andrew Falk (DFL - Murdock), called the Governor’s
veto misguided.

“This is a missed opportunity,” said Rep. Falk. “With interest
rates at historic lows and project bids coming in 30 percent lower than
expected, now was the time to make this important economic and academic
investment for our students. I am deeply disappointed that the Governor
has yet again failed to see the merit in thinking ahead.”

Minnesota West is not alone. The Governor’s $319 million in line-item
vetoes to the state’s bonding bill (HF2700) included $144 million in
cuts to infrastructure projects at higher education facilities. Falk
argues that at this critical time for Minnesota’s economy, higher
education institutions should not be bearing the brunt of the cuts.

“When so many out-of-work Minnesotans are going back to school to
learn a trade, and prepare themselves for new, good-paying jobs, this is
not the time to be cutting our schools,” said Rep. Andrew Falk.
“This is the time to be building our schools.”

Minnesota West currently has a very strong wind energy curriculum, but
Falk says that having a commercial-scale turbine as a training tool
would only improve the program.

“By building the wind turbine, we would be able train our students
here in Canby, while reducing energy costs at the College. It’s the
kind of local economic progress quick, decisive legislative action can
make happen - and the right thing to do to help revitalize our local
economy.”

Rep. Falk has pledged to continue working on the project to ensure
construction funding to finish the Canby project is included in next
year’s bonding bill.

Along with the bonding bill, the House is looking at several
initiatives to create jobs and support small businesses, including a
bill to improve access to credit, reduce costly regulations and
mandates, broaden access to technology, and help reduce energy costs.

Representative Andrew Falk
431 State Office Building
100 Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155

Office: 651-296-4228
Email: rep.andrew.falk@house.mn