Over the weekend I was privileged enough to hear some information about an amazing project being proposed by an organization known as Crown Hydro. They aim to use some of the existing infrastructure along the Mississippi River for a small hydro energy facility that when completed would power roughly 2,000 homes and produce none of the environmental impact normally associated with the production of energy.
This is precisely the type of renewable energy future that both President Obama and Governor Pawlenty have been pushing our state and country towards. It would have the two fold effect of creating immediate jobs (union jobs according to the developer) and helping Minnesota move towards its goal of 25% renewable by 2025. While it certainly doesn't solve the entirety of our energy needs, it is the perfect shovel-ready project as defined by the Obama Stimulus Plan that moves us one step closer to a greener cleaner energy grid.
Couple these environmental and immediate economic benefits with the fact that the developer of this project has promised to pay the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board $300,000 every year with a 3% increase every year for the next 100 years and you have a long term positive economic impact.
So, a project such as this would seem to be the dream of any self respecting progressive who heralds their love of the environment, right? A project such as this would seem to be an easy sell for those environment loving progressives inhabiting Minneapolis, right?
This is precisely the type of renewable energy future that both President Obama and Governor Pawlenty have been pushing our state and country towards. It would have the two fold effect of creating immediate jobs (union jobs according to the developer) and helping Minnesota move towards its goal of 25% renewable by 2025. While it certainly doesn't solve the entirety of our energy needs, it is the perfect shovel-ready project as defined by the Obama Stimulus Plan that moves us one step closer to a greener cleaner energy grid.Couple these environmental and immediate economic benefits with the fact that the developer of this project has promised to pay the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board $300,000 every year with a 3% increase every year for the next 100 years and you have a long term positive economic impact.
So, a project such as this would seem to be the dream of any self respecting progressive who heralds their love of the environment, right? A project such as this would seem to be an easy sell for those environment loving progressives inhabiting Minneapolis, right?
It appears as though we may have some progressives who refuse to practice what they preach...
Check back for more in the coming days...
Check back for more in the coming days...
2 responses to "A Project We Can Believe In"
this project should have been built years ago...it is time to get it done! THe Mpls Park Board knows it, the Legislature knows it, the Mpls City Council knows it....
The only reason this is not already done is because Fritz Mondale and one the most powerful lobbyist in the state Brian Rice are fighting this tooth and nail at the behest of the liberal big money donors who live next to the falls.
When money talks, green energy and jobs take a back seat.