Posted: 7/11/06
Senator Coleman discusses issues here
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
Renewable energy was a recurring theme as U.S. Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) visited with about 17 people at the Farmhouse Eatery in Caledonia on July 6. Those in attendance represented state, county and local government as well as a variety of businesses.
Ethanol was the main topic of conversation, and Coleman expressed optimism about Minnesotaís economy with the new opportunities that production of ethanol will provide. Ethanol can be added to gasoline to provide a more affordable fuel, and there are ìflex-fuelî cars which are designed to run on either ethanol or gasoline. Ethanol can be made from a number of products, including corn and sugar beets, which are two Minnesota products.
ìWe need to cut our addiction to foreign oil,î Coleman commented, adding that it is the infrastructure of the country and not its production capabilities that are hindering the availability of ethanol.
Minnesota currently leads the nation in ethanol production, and one-half of all E-85 pumps, which dispense a blend of gasoline and ethanol, are in Minnesota, the senator pointed out.
ìI am really upbeat on renewable fuels,î he said.
On a related subject, Coleman said that he is looking for a long-term policy for wind energy and an end to the current moratorium on the construction of new wind turbines. The moratorium was put in place because of some concerns that the turbine are dangerous to birds, who can get caught in the blades of the devices.
ìAs important as animals are, Iím hopeful we can get that law changed,î said Coleman. He said he believes that wind power can be an important part of the energy solution in Minnesota.
North Korea a concern
Coleman responded to a question on the current situation in North Korea by describing it as a bad news/good news. North Korea recently launched missiles into the Sea of Japan.
ìWe canít solve this. Itís not just our problem.,î said Coleman. ìThe North Korean leader Kim John Il is hard to deal with, heís brutal and irrational.î
But the good news, said Coleman, is that No. Korea ìisnít there yet,î meaning that the weapons they have developed thus far are not an immediate threat.
ìI think we have time on this,î said Coleman. ìThe international community is concerned, and South Korea is pushing for engagement.î
The administration, he said, is ìbeing assertive and not aggressiveî with North Korea.
Other issues discussed included unfunded mandates, Medicare Part D, immigration and the farm bill. Coleman assured his listeners that ìWe are not changing the farm bill.î Itís an issue that he and president disagree on, but Coleman says he believes farm subsidies are accomplishing what they are intended to accomplish.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com