Walz Plan for Job Creation, Clean Energy

Press Release

Comprehensive bill meets future energy needs, invests in America's future

Today, joined by both by energy, labor and business, and Mankato State University leaders, Rep. Tim Walz unveiled a plan to put America on the path to energy independence, invest in clean energy, put Americans back to work and rebuild our infrastructure. Walz and a group of colleagues formed the Bipartisan Energy Working Group back in March and introduced legislation in Congress this past week.

"This legislation is proof we can put our partisan differences aside and work together to find common-sense solutions," said Walz. "Continuing to send our money to countries overseas that hate us just doesn't make any sense. They will hate us for free. We need a dedicated funding stream to invest in homegrown, clean energy technology. With entrepreneurship and an American can-do spirit, we can create good-paying jobs right here at home."

"We are delighted to host this energy discussion at our new Center of Renewable Energy building on the MSU campus. Developing and testing alternative fuels, engines and their interactions on each other is one of our strong suits," said Dr. John Knox, Dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. "The bill proposed by Congressman Walz and his colleagues has the potential to direct significant funding to this work as well as to the implementation of the more energy efficient systems needed to help assure the high quality of life we enjoy in Minnesota and the US. The bill also pays attention to the need to rebuild our infrastructure, enhance the environment, and cut back on carbon production. These are active areas of research here at MSU, Mankato."

"We need to get Americans back to work with good-paying jobs," said Lee Hiller of the Operating Engineers Local 49. "I'm glad this bill is bipartisan and will create jobs in both the short and long term."

H.R. 1861 harnesses America's vast natural resources by allowing the safe, responsible expansion of offshore oil and gas exploration. The legislation dedicates the new federal revenues from offshore energy production to create jobs, cut the deficit, invest in clean coal and nuclear technology, clean up our environment, increase renewable and alternative energy sources, and rebuild our crumbling highways and bridges. H.R. 1861 is only bipartisan, comprehensive plan introduced in the House

The Bipartisan Energy Working Group was formed in March and is led by Congressmen Tim Murphy (PA-18), Tim Walz (MN-01), Bill Shuster (PA-09) and Jim Costa (CA-20).

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