By T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

Energy proposals had the Capitol flickering on Thursday (Jan. 17) with lawmakers and Gov. Tim Pawlenty plugging in ideas.

Rep. Jeremy Kalin, DFL-Lindstrom, fellow Democrats and polar explorer Will Steger, called for state action and focus on enticing the Danish wind-turbine manufacturer Vestas to site a research and development center in Minnesota.

The center would be expected to bring 80 high-end jobs to the state.

Vestas, which has already installed more than 33,000 wind turbines worldwide, announced in November its intention to establish a research and development center in the United States.

It already has such facilities in other counties.

Steger, sporting a pair mukluks, hailed Vestas' interest in a U.S. facility as a great and unique opportunity.

It offers Minnesota the greatest economic opportunity since the mining of iron ore, Steger has opined.

Kalin views wooing the wind turbine company to Minnesota as doable.

"It really comes down to making the sale with Vestas," said Kalin.

"The fact that they called us the day after Christmas — who does business the day after Christmas unless you really mean it?" he asked.

Minnesota already offers research and development tax credits and other business enhancer that could helped win Vestas, opined Kalin.

In its November press release, Vestas says although it had not yet decided where to site its new facility, it's primarily looking at locations close to large and recognized universities.

The University of Minnesota has sent a letter to the company indicating a willingness to explore partnering options.

Pawlenty indicated the state has been in contact with Vestas, but adding he could not go into details.

He indicated support for a legislative package aimed at wooing Vestas to Minnesota.

"If they commit to come here, it'd be a great idea," he said.

The governor presented energy proposals on Thursday while also signing executive orders creating an Office of Energy Security within the Department of Commerce and a clean energy technology corroborative.

Pawlenty also proposed the creation of a carbon market planning authority — its envisioned that carbon credits will become tradeable commodities, perhaps even collateral for loans in the future.

The governor also proposes slating up to $20 million for a local renewable energy initiative that could see low-interest loans going to homeowners or small businesses utilizing microenergy technologies such as wind, solar, geothermal.

"It will probably start out modestly," said Pawlenty.

But the governor added that if even a fraction of the energy equation is answered by small wind turbines in the backyard or solar panels, it all adds up.

"Neighbor will be inspired by neighbor," said Pawlenty of the use of microenergy sources.

Pawlenty said his proposals and executive orders are part of a larger energy initiative his office will present in upcoming weeks.

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