Almanac: At the Capitol

A coalition of lawmakers, the University of Minnesota and arctic explorer Will Steger announced an effort to get the world's largest wind turbine manufacturer to open a new research and development center in Minnesota. Steger said "this is a great opportunity for Minnesota, like when the iron mines opened." Everyone touted the high-end jobs this could bring.

Lawmakers are putting together an incentive plan that could include bonding money and tax incentives. The company Vestas says the center would employ 80 people and be ready by 2009. Rep. Aaron Peterson (DFL-Appleton) sent the Danish company a letter and heard back quickly that they're looking for a place with a major research university, good quality of life and legislative incentive package. Other states that could be vying for this facility include Iowa, Texas, Washington and Oregon.

The Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher said this venture could only grow more "green collar jobs." Sen. Ellen Anderson said something like this needs real leaders "we need to close the deal and bring in jobs." With Sen. Anderson standing just feet away, Gov. Tim Pawlenty says the Vestas deal is a "great idea" and he welcomes them along with several other wind and renewable energy companies he is in private conversations with and hopes to "bring good news in the future."

The governor announced four new energy initiatives today, the first concentrates on "microenergy" that's small scale technologies like solar, wind, geothermal that individual homeowners or communities would qualify for low-interest state loans if the legislature agrees. The second, Clean Energy Technology Collaborative was created through executive order and it basically ensures last year's nation-leading standards are implemented. Third, a new Office of Energy Security would be established without any cost or major changes. Finally, the governor is asking the legislature to create the Carbon Market Planning Authority to create a carbon trading marketplace.

One final note, the "Gov. Angry" was now back to being "Gov. Amiable" today joking with reporters and staff including sarcastically calling returning Capitol Reporter Tom Hauser a "putz" when a Ch. 5 reporter asked the governor to comment publicly about Hauser's return. Pawlenty did say he would welcome Hauser's return as we all will.

I just got back from Ely for the Will Steger-Gov. Pawlenty climate change conference in Ely. They are an odd couple, but could prove to be a highly effective pairing. They are both media masters and come from very different approaches to reach the same conclusion: there is global warming and we need to act fast. The governor said to his Republican or conservative friends who say this is a hoax and question his Steger alliance, "the worst thing that can happen is cleaning up the planet for our children and grandchildren and that's not so bad." I'd say Pawlenty was greeted with guarded optimism and perhaps skepticism. Protestors outside said more mining under a Pawlenty administration and cleaning up the environment are not consistent. They're concerned these conferences are just lip service and nothing will really get done. Pawlenty isn't dumb, this is an issue that 85% of Americans agree with him that there is global warming. On the other hand, Sen. Amy Klobuchar was welcomed like a hometown girl with lots of applause. With her father and grandfather's roots on the Iron Range, she didn't disappoint with lots of solid Ranger jokes. I've been a bit tough on Klobuchar's oratory skills, but today she knocked it out of the park. She's grown and the crowd got to see evidence of why she was voted the funniest freshman.

Gov. Pawlenty just announced that Indian firm Essar Global who took over a steel plant in northern Minnesota will not invest in Iran unless it's permitted under U.S. law. Pawlenty said the company was exploring business in Iran, but they made it clear they are not going forward. The governor says, "the project is now back on track." It was an interesting lesson for the governor on vetting a company in the world of global commerce. It was a chance for Pawlenty to weigh in to international politics and chart a successful course. Yes, he continues to deny any interest in higher office, but this was a good chance for him to prove he can negotiate in world politics. The best line of the news conference came when Iron Range newspaper editor Bill Hanna joined the press conference by phone and Pawlenty said he knew he "better clear this up before the governor's deer hunting opener in Hibbing or the hunter would become the hunted." The other big story of the week for the governor has been his new partnerships with liberal environmentalists. Last session this was clearly the issue he decided he could cross party lines on and now he's taken it a step further with upcoming events with Al Gore (j/k) and Will Steger. Pawlenty is a smart politician who probably knows that about 85% of Americans believe in global warming. Now those 15% who don't might be part of his conservative base, so it's a gamble too.