Committee approves environmental permit streamlining

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Gov. Mark Dayton’s executive order that will streamline the environmental permitting process within two state agencies did not deter the House Civil Law Committee from approving a bill that would similarly modify timelines, plus two additional modifications. The bipartisan goal is to make the permit application process more efficient with the Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency so that businesses are not inclined to move to another state. Sponsored by Rep. Dan Fabian (R-Roseau), HF1 would require the DNR and MPCA to issue or deny environmental and resource management permits within 150 days of a submitted application. So does the executive order, which takes effect in mid-February. The bill would also allow the judicial review process to be done directly by the Court of Appeals. Continue Reading

Preparing for future energy demand

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Repealing a 17-year ban on constructing nuclear power plants blew through its first House committee faster than wind blows across a prairie dotted with turbines. Largely along party lines, the House Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee approved lifting the moratorium Jan. 11 on a 10-6 roll call vote. Rep. David Dill (DFL-Crane Lake) was the lone DFLer to vote in favor of the repeal. Sponsored by Rep. Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers) and Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (R-Buffalo), HF9/ SF4 would allow the Public Utilities Commission to issue a certificate of need for the construction or expansion of a nuclear power reactor if an applicant comes forward. Continue Reading

Clean water study presented to legislators

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How does the “land of sky blue waters,” which, by federal standards, has 40 percent of its ground and surface waters polluted, evolve into the “Land of no impaired waters?” Just ask Deborah Swackhamer, co-director of the University of Minnesota Water Resource Center, who presented the Minnesota Water Sustainability Framework to the House Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee Jan. 5. The study is a 25-year strategy to bring Minnesota’s ground and surface water into compliance with the state’s Clean Water Act. The 200-page document spells out a comprehensive plan for mapping, monitoring and cleaning polluted waters and ensuring that there is enough clean drinking water for the future. Continue Reading