State Transportation & Energy Issues

What can be done to address transportation needs in Minnesota?  How do we provide consistent power to our industries and homes at affordable prices?

These two major business questions were hashed out during a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce breakfast featuring state lawmakers:  Sen. David Senjem (R-Rochester), Sen. Ann Rest (D-New Hope), Rep. Mike Beard (R-Shakopee), and Rep. Paul Thissen (D-Minneapolis).

Transportation
Let's clear out the rush hour parking lot in the metro!  Discussion revolved around interesting ideas for reducing congestion in the Twin Cities metro area, including an outer ring that would route traffic in a wider square around the metro area outside of the 494/694 ring.  Toll roads and hot lanes made it into the discussion as well with the lawmakers in general interested in the toll road option since it works in other states. 

Each of the legislators were in favor of a gas tax ranging from 5-10 cents to help pay for infrastructure. 

Sen. Senjem even brought up his belief that a commuter rail line from Rochester to the Twin Cities may be prudent in the future. 

Rep. Beard cited engineering solutions that merge lanes in a smarter way to reduce traffic problems in the Twin Cities on sections of 494/694 and how this can help as part of the solution. 

Each of the legislators would like to see the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Constitutional Amendment wording changed a little bit, but all agree that either way this is an amendment that needs to pass in November to send needed money to transportation.

Energy
What do animal waste, wind and nuclear all have in common?  They're electric!  At least capable of producing power. 
Of course these options and coal were all part of the continuing discussion about growing energy options for our state and nation.

According to Rep. Beard, bio mass (burning animal waste for power) is working with almost 100% efficiency in some locations.  Rep. Thissen believes wind needs to be part of the mix and Sen. Senjem wants to wait on an energy policy until a study comes back that would provide detailed information about the options.  This study will be available for the debate in 2007. 

They acknowledged that base power-providing nonstop generation-is an issue.  Transporting coal from the coal basins is a problem that hasn't been fixed with rail lines providing slow and inconsistent service.  Nuclear power was discussed as a very real opportunity.  The issue, they say, with nuclear is that it is a political problem because the perception is that it is very dangerous and bad for the environment.