Ben Gerber

Mar 31, 2014

The Capitol Note: Senate minimum wage amendment plan moves forward

Gov. Mark Dayton added his voice to the chorus of opposition to the plan.

May 3, 2013

Solar outlook cloudy: House, Senate differ on energy standards

After 10 days of limbo and behind-the-scenes talks at the state Capitol, legislation to boost the state’s solar power industry has passed out of House and Senate committees.

Mar 27, 2013

Renewables-focused energy bills moving

DFL-controlled energy committees in the House and Senate have labored this month on omnibus legislation designed to address concerns about climate change and to boost Minnesota’s renewable energy industry.

Feb 22, 2013

Renewable energy: 40 by ’30?

It’s been six years since DFL legislators reached a deal with former Gov. Tim Pawlenty to require utilities to produce 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025. Energy advocates are cheering the progress made since the Renewable Energy Standard was passed in 2007, and they’re starting to roll out bills that would increase the amount of power generated from solar and wind.

Jan 4, 2013

Utilities brace for 2013 energy-policy battles

The outlook for energy policy is quite different as DFLers get set to take control of both the House and Senate in the 2013 legislative session. Business groups that had pursued an aggressive agenda in the last two years of GOP control will likely adopt a more defensive posture.