Rep. Jim Newberger says 80% of his political energies nowdays is gathering support for Sherco as a coal-burning facility.

 

That was his message as he met for 15 minutes with the Becker City Council Tuesday.

 

“Eighty percent of my energies go to the Sherco plant,” he said. “The stakes are so high.”

 

 (He reported Sherco, along with the King Plant near Stillwater and Cohasset near Grand Rapids are the three-largest coal generated electrical producers in the state - and are in the crosshairs of Gov. Mark Dayton.)

 

 He was reflecting on recent comments by Gov. Dayton to shut down coal-fired electrical generators - and federal edicts that Minnesota needs quickly to expand more alternative energy sources.

 

The federal policy he was referring to is from the EPA, which is requiring Minnesota to enact 41% carbon emissions reductions in its electrical energy production.

 

 “It’s a pretty drastic reduction,” he said, in light of the fact other Midwestern states have been given standards of less emissions, Iowa being in the 30% bracket.

 

“There is no rhyme nor reason for it. We are the energy capitol of the Midwest,” he said. “And we are still very actively engaged (in seeking expansions of alternative sources).”

 

He noted stronger lobbying efforts to save the coal-fired plants may be necessary.

 

“Is the Coalition of (Minnesota Utility) Cities stronger than lobbyists,” asked Councilmember Tracy Bertram. 

 

 “Yes,” said Newberger. He reported the cities coalition has a unified approach in support of electricity generation, while lobbyists may be reporting to other interests as well.

 

(Bertram may have also been asking that question to deflect Mayor Lefty Kleis’ opposition to continuing city membership in the cities alliance, at a cost of $30,000 a year.)

 

“This is the biggest issue for this area - Sherco,” Newberger said.

 

“Minnesota is a very energy-dependent state,” he said. “Solar and wind are good . . . coal is the best.”

 

“We all need to do our part,” said Bertram. “It’s a three-legged stool.”

 

City Administrator Greg Pruszinske asked why there hasn’t been given more credit to the state by the EPA for its past energy use and reductions in coal-fired electrical generation.

 

Minnesota has done a great deal of alternative eneergy production,” responded Newberger. But “other states did nothing. Minnesota has been punished for doing the right thing.”

 

But he said the Minnesota message has been getting to some members of the EDA, and Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which will make decisions on the issue on a statewide basis.

 

“In event of the loss of Sherco, not only will we lose the tax base support and jobs, but our power,” said Newberger.

 

“For Dayton to say he’s going to eliminate coal - those are fighting words for me.”