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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Renewable Energy Bill Faces First Hurdle Today

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Monday, February 5, 2007   


A plan to require Minnesota utilities to provide one-quarter of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020 faces its first test today in the House Energy Committee. The bill's author and sponsor, Rep. Aaron Peterson (D-Madison) says wind power, which is showing more and more promise, would be a top alternative energy source.

"The turbines get bigger. The efficiencies get better. Technology changes. It's getting cheaper and cheaper every year, with more output."

The bill's chances in the Legislature may be buoyed by last week's release of a report by an international panel of scientists. It warned that global warming is real, and is having a major impact on the planet. Peterson says that may sway some skeptics to take the issue more seriously.

"Minnesota should be aggressive in keeping doing our share to keep coal-fired power plant toxins and emissions out of the environment, and also in harvesting the economic development opportunities for renewable electricity in the state of Minnesota."

He notes that 21 other states already have renewable standards on the books. A similar bill was approved by a Senate committee last week, and now goes to the Senate floor. Governor Pawlenty has expressed support for reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

In the meantime, Monique Sullivan, Minnesota's field organizer for the Public Interest Research Group says, there are things individuals can do to make a difference.

"There are small things, like using compact fluorescent light bulbs and turning lights off when you leave a room; and bigger things, like reducing the amount of time you spend in your car, carpooling or taking the bus when you can. I know that biking to and from work is hard to imagine when it's this cold outside! But you know, you can look for every opportunity to use less fossil fuel."



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Health and Wellness

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Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

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Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

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Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


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Environment

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New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

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Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

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Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

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