Caledonia Argus

Rep. Davids responds to Heartland concerns

Posted: 4/20/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

Donít expect any legislation to pass regarding Heartland Energy and Recycling Company this session.

Thatís what Minnesota House District 31B Representative Greg Davids told the Fillmore-Houston Joint Board of Health in an April 13 letter.

The board had passed a resolution supporting an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Davids responded that House File 3094, a bill which he co-authored with Representative Margaret Anderson Kelliher, would have required an EIS be done. But according to Davids, the bill was introduced after committee deadlines, and does not have a senate companion.

ìThere also has been no hearing request submitted by the chief authored of the bill to the Environment Policy committee chair.î he wrote. ìIn my opinion, this bill could not be retroactive, but would help prevent this situation from occurring in other communities. The decision to require an Environmental Impact Statement rests with the MPCA and the courts, not the legislature.î

Davids, a seven-term representative, has taken a neutral position on the plant, which is being proposed by his father-in-law, Robert Maust. He told The Argus that he would not vote on any bill related to Heartland, although the omnibus tax bill could have provisions about Heartland and it would be rare for a legislator to recuse himself from voting on the omnibus bill.

A citizen group, Southeastern Minnesotans for Environmental Protection, and the city of Preston have filed a case against the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency calling for an EIS. The case is pending.

The group believes an EIS would address environmental and health concerns raised by the companyís plan to incinerate 10 million scrap tires a year. They fear that the plant could put as much as 588 tons of pollutants into the air each year.

Maust is opposed to an EIS, saying it would add 3-5 years onto the project, and is unnecessary given the research that has already been done on the proposed $50 million project

Discusses other issues

Davids gave The Argus an update on other legislative issues.

ï Another controversial issue is the same sex marriage bill, The House members, including Davids, voted 88-42 to let Minnesota voters decide whether the state constitution should ban same sex marriage. The bill died in committee, but could be revived if it is put on the Senate floor, David said.

Davids said he supports the amendment banning gay marriages so that courts canít overturn laws that presently prohibit it. ìIíve had tremendous support from the district on that issue, tremendous support,î he said. Discussion on it has been emotional but civil, he said.

ï Other key issues are the budget, bonding, and the stadium, Davids said. He does not support using general fund tax dollars to support new stadiums for the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. Governor Pawlentyís proposal would fund it with money from the teams, host communities, and tax increment financing. ìIf the vote was held today, I donít know what Iíd do,î he said. ìIím leaning no.î

ï Davids said he is pleased that the legislature passed a mandate that health insurance companies must pay for ovarian cancer screenings.

ï He also supports moving the Minnesota Department of Tourism from the Department of Economic Development to its own department. This will give it more visibility and will allow it to raise funds privately. The bill proposing the change has bipartisan support, he said.

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