Rep. Duane Quam is misguided in his recent commentary about sustainable, renewable energy.
It is not too soon for more sustainable clean energy for Minnesota. In fact, Minnesota is now far behind other states when it comes to renewable energy, especially solar energy.
Since 2007, when Minnesota led the nation with enactment of the Next Generation Energy Act, other states have now passed stronger policies on renewable energy development. For example, because of Republican Gov. Chris Christie and bipartisan legislative support, New Jersey installed more solar in a two-week period last year than Minnesota has in our entire history.
We can do better. Now is the time for Minnesota to resume a leadership role and pass a strong solar energy standard, creating good jobs and building the clean energy future our state deserves. The Minnesota Legislature is considering the legislation that would create thousands of jobs. This legislation would reduce our state’s reliance on imported energy, keep our hard-earned money here in Minnesota and give people and businesses the opportunity to be energy producers, not just consumers.
We worry that Rep. Quam is not listening to the concerns of the workers and homeowners in his district. I urge you to contact Rep. Quam and tell him you want a clean energy economy for Minnesota.
Greg Andrist, Rochester
Read the letter to the editor at postbulletin.com.