The Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a top-notch Minnesota-based outfit, is
proudly declaring victory following Governor Pawlenty's signature of a bill that passed both chambers unanimously. The legislation requires that the state purchase "plug-in hybrids on a preferred basis when they become available."
H.F. 3718 also directs a state university to research flexible fuel hybrid options.
The legislation was sponsored in the House by
Rep. Frank Hornstein who had this to say following the bill's passage:
“Minnesota has the resources necessary to make flexible fuel plug-in hybrid production a reality," says Frank Hornstein, the bill's chief House author. "We have the research at Minnesota State-Mankato. We have the corn and ethanol industry. We have a growing number of wind farms. And we have the Ford plant."
The bill was carried in the Senate by
Sen. Scott Dibble , also of St. Paul.
This measure is simply the latest in renewable energy leadership from the states. A range of
other policy options are also available to progressive leaders who want to bring good-paying jobs to their state, while fighting global warming and weaning America off of foreign oil.