Enjoying Minnesota’s natural resources has always been special to me.  Watching a surreal sunset over a royal blue lake calms my soul.  But these resources are at risk of disappearing right before our eyes.   We must protect these irreplaceable resources for future generations.  Uncontrolled pollution threatens our clean water, air, and soil. Poor resource management can have a negative effect on forests, fisheries and water resources.   Energy consumption and climate change threaten our fragile ecosystems. 

Fortunately, Minnesota DNR and Forestry programs are dedicated to protecting our natural resources. Our state parks and protected wilderness are invaluable.  Thanks to the efforts of Senator Klobuchar and Senator Smith, 130 new clean energy projects have been funded in the rural area.  Total investment of $15.6 million will deliver substantial annual savings of $18.4 million for farms and small businesses in rural Minnesota while advancing the state’s clean energy goals.    

The takeaway is that partnerships between policymakers, private businesses, and consumers can develop policies that produce clean energy, create new jobs, increase tourism, and reduce energy costs.  I will work closely with our policy makers, private businesses and consumers to continue to produce energy, create new jobs, increase tourism and control the cost of energy.  I will fight hard to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, State Parks, and National/State Forestry Areas to ensure that these precious resources are available for our future generations.