State Representative David Bly, MN District 25B

“We get relatively inexpensive, reliable electricity. Who pays the price for our power?”

This was the question asked at last Wednesday evening’s forum hosted by ME3, RENew Northfield and Cannon River Watershed Partnership.

Ken Bradley from ME3’s JustEnergy talked about reducing energy consumption to lessen the cost both to our environment and to consumers. He used the example that where consumers simply change their incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescents, they could cut 66% of their energy usage. He also talked briefly about the problem of mercury pollution caused by coal fired power plants and the ecological and economic damage caused by hydro-electric power. He then introduced a trailer from a film ME3 is sponsoring called “Green Green Water“, a documentary film about hydroelectric power and its impact on the lives of thousands of Aboriginal people in northern Manitoba. You can learn more about this on ME3’s JustEnergy website.

JustEnergy is a campaign focused on educating consumers about the devastating impacts Manitoba Hydro’s large-scale dams are having on people and the environment in northern Manitoba, Canada. United States utilities (primarily Xcel Energy) purchase 40% of Manitoba Hydro output and sell it to unknowing customers in the United States. JustEnergy is working to engage consumers to urge Xcel Energy, regulators, and legislators to set standards for hydropower purchased by utilities and sold to United States consumers that does not harm people or the environment. (ME3)

The film mentioned that since the coming of hydroelectric power to Manitoba, the Cree have seen their lives turned upside down. Once a thriving fishing industry offered residents 90% employment they now endure 90% unemployment, have had homes and lives destroyed through flooding, suicide and alcohol abuse. The Cree get no benefit from the power produced — they do not use the power because it is shipped to Minnesota and other energy users to the south, and they do not get any economic benefit.

Ken mentioned the work that Bruce Anderson and RENew Northfield were doing to promote renewable energy and reduce the dependency on hydro and coal related energy production. He indicated that legislature failed to pass a new standard for Renewable Energy development and mentioned that ME3 promotes a 20% RES. Passing this measure would help increase the development of renewable energy production.

I asked Ken about the effect transmission upgrades through Minnesota would have on Manitoba Hydro in and on development of coal fired power plants in the Dakotas. I mentioned that the State’s Transmission Omnibus Bill called for upgrades on a line proposed to bring wind power to market but that would make possible bulk power transfer of energy from new Dakota coal power plants, thus increasing the already dangerous levels of mercury contamination in Minnesota. Ken acknowledged that is a problem, but he did not know what to do about it. He did mention the proposed Arrowhead line, which has been held up by environmental groups for the last ten years, but in my discussion with Excelsior Energy representatives, I’ve seen that the Arrowhead line could be used for transmission of the Mesaba coal gasification electricity. Allowing the Arrowhead transmission upgrade would allow Manitoba Hydro to increase their output to enter the metro and Chicago energy market, and cause further devastation to the first nation people of Manitoba. This is the kind of behavior we see from energy companies whose business it is to control energy resource for profit and to do so, devastate local people without regard for their welfare.

Bruce Anderson talked about RENew’s dream of making Northfield energy independent and totally reliant on renewable energy. This would at least mean that Northfield would not be contributing to the profiteering of energy companies and would see their energy dollars stay in the community rather than going far away to energy producing company headquarters, and we would have generation sources we could live with

Hilary Ziols talked about the work of CRWP in water testing and raising public awareness to mercury and other forms of pollution in the Cannon River Watershed. Here’s mercury information that Paul Fried asked about at the forum, you can see that the Rice County waters are mercury impaired.

The MPCA is holding a meeting in Rochester next week, and the comment period on the Governor’s plan is open longer than that, so please make your thoughts known.

Urge Governor Pawlenty to reduce mercury in Minnesota now!

Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, and fish are contaminated with dangerous levels of mercury. However, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has released their proposal to WAIT to reduce mercury emissions and discharges in the state. We need strong citizen voices to tell the Governor that much faster, mandatory mercury reductions are right for Minnesota. The MPCA must stop allowing polluters to release mercury into our air and water. This toxin is contaminating our fish and putting our children’s health at risk! Tell the Governor and the MPCA today that Minnesotans want mercury out of our water, our fish, and our children. See the Event Calendar for more information.

I urge you to visit the websites of these organizations and do what you can to reduce energy use and let public officials know you want a change in policy to protect our water and our energy future. Each of us is responsible for our own energy use and with a little thoughtfulness, can have an impact.