Muse responds to Crown Hydro Objections

Good post Muse!

Anti Crown Hydro Minneapolis Park Board Lobbyist

Also lobbied for Big Tobacco?

And the Minnesota North Stars...

Renewable energy=bad

Cancer sticks=good

No wonder why MaryAnn Campo says $300,000 a year for 100 years is not a lot of money.

She lobbied for Big Tobacco and a NHL team that up and left us (Norm Green still sucks).

Nice find Muse!

Crown Hydro: A Blast From the Past

Two Putt Tommy and Political Muse have been working tirelessly on the issues with Crown Hyrdo and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board which got me wondering about it.

Muse said last week;

What we need to understand is that this project was granted a FERC license in 1999 which in my understanding is one of the most rigorous processes for examining energy production proposals. Those weighing in included the US Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Park Service. My hope is that the Minneapolis Park Board has a far more legitimate reason for opposing this project than petty political gamesmanship. What information does the Park Board have which could possibly trump the combined expertise of all the aforementioned organizations?

So in patented Blueman fashion, I wanted to take a dig at it.

Even in September 1997, the project was garnering a positive nod.

Hydroelectric-plant proposal garners a nod; Regulatory officials have made a favorable environmental assessment of the Mississippi River electricity project. Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) September 25, 1997, Metro Edition

Despite objections by Minneapolis and the city's Park and Recreation Board, federal officials have determined that the environment would not be significantly affected by a hydroelectric power plant on the Mississippi River on West River Parkway.

Those officials also recommend that any federal license issued for construction and operation of the small plant should require measures to protect natural resources and enhance recreational opportunities along the riverfront.

That would include preserving the scenic panorama created by water cascading over St. Anthony Falls. That requirement would alleviate a key concern of Minneapolis and Park Board officials, who have feared that the project would divert so much water from the river above the falls that it would harm the area's aesthetic qualities.

The favorable environmental assessment is a major boost for Crown Hydro Co. of Minneapolis, which is seeking a license for the $ 5.5 million project. The assessment was prepared by the technical staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which will decide whether to issue the license.

A commission spokeswoman, Celeste Miller, said Wednesday that it has rarely denied a license for a small energy project that has received a favorable environmental assessment. It's uncertain when the panel will act on Crown Hydro's request, she said.

Minneapolis and Park Board officials said they are reviewing the assessment, which they received copies of this week.

Reviving an old system

Crown Hydro proposes to draw water from the Mississippi, through a canal and into a century-old power system that lies buried under the Crown Roller Mill building. That system would be restored by Crown Hydro, a three-man partnership.

One of the partners, Glen Olsen, said the environmental assessment is "a confirmation of what we've said all along: This is a positive project and will be beneficial to the public."

Crown Hydro also proposes to build walkways and other facilities to attract tourists to the restored power system. Since 1821 the power of St. Anthony Falls has been used for industrial purposes - generating electricity, milling grain and sawing lumber - and the company says its operation would complement the ambitious city-Park Board program to revitalize the riverfront.

Olsen said the company hopes to begin producing energy in January 1999, assuming it obtains the necessary government approval.

In addition to the federal license, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources would have to approve a permit allowing Crown Hydro to draw water from the river. Minnesota law prohibits the DNR from issuing the permit if it would create conflicts with existing water users.

That includes Northern States Power Co., which already operates a hydroelectric plant at St. Anthony Falls. NSP has no objections to Crown Hydro's proposed plant, which would generate 3.4 megawatts of electricity, or enough to supply more than 3,000 houses.

Federal officials said Crown Hydro wouldn't have any problems selling its electricity, whether it be to NSP or another utility. The projected regional demand for electricity could easily absorb the total output of Crown Hydro's small plant.

Also, such "green" power is renewable and nonpolluting, which makes it preferable to the burning of coal, oil and other fossil fuels.

Bob Mattson, a Park Board spokesman, predicted that Crown Hydro will get a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

"This can be a win-win situation for both the developer and the Park Board," he said. "But we still have to negotiate an agreement [with Crown Hydro] on how they will use some of our property for their development."

And now more than a decade later, the fight continues.

Why such staunch opposition to a project that would bring "green jobs" and renewable energy sources to such a progressive area? It seems like this is a common sense sort of thing, yet it languishes on as the NIMBY crowd whines continually.

We'll follow Two Putt and Muse as they continue to bring the Crown Hydro project to light.

Stay tuned...

Barkley Highlights First Debate Victory

Highlights: Barkley Wins First Senate Debate

Coleman, Franken Spar; Barkley Highlights Issues, Accomplishments

For Immediate Release
Contact: Christopher Truscott
ctruscott@senatorbarkley.com

ROCHESTER—Dean Barkley, the Independence Party candidate for U.S. Senate, scored a clear victory in Sunday evening's Senate debate.

While incumbent Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and DFL nominee Al Franken engaged in business-as-usual Washington politics, Barkley remained focused on breaking the partisan gridlock so Congress can finally produce the results the American people have been demanding for so long.

Highlights from the debate, which was held at the University Center in Rochester:

Dean Barkley on the Economic Stabilization Act:

"I didn't like it. (The plan is) better than it was and I think we have to get over that and stop playing the (blame) game and make sure it doesn't happen again."

"If we did not do this, Main Street could've been devastated and I did not want that to happen."

Dean Barkley on Renewable Energy:

"It's a shame it took $4 gas to get Congress to finally start doing something it should've been doing for the last 30 years."

Dean Barkley on Iraq/Military Issues:

"(The war) was (Coleman's) first trillion-dollar mistake and the second was failing to watch over the financial industry."

"I learned from history. … I don't forget what it was like to be lied to (during Vietnam) and all the pain that it caused."

"We've done enough. It's time for Iraq to either sink or swim—become a civilized country that can govern itself or go back to warring tribes."

"The best thing we can do for our troops is bring them home. That's the best thing we can do for them."

"Al-Qaeda came to Iraq after we invaded, not before."

Dean Barkley on Negative Campaigns:

"I've had to take a look at the same talking fish and bowling ads you all have watched."

"This has been an embarrassing campaign … I think Minnesotans should not have been put through this. They both sign-off on these ads."

Dean Barkley on the National Debt:

"The solutions aren't hard, they're just painful and you have to offend some people to do it."

(Barkley supports a four-year spending cap.)

* * * * *

Barkley, a 58-year-old Minnesota native, served as the director of the Minnesota Office of Strategic and Long Range Planning under Gov. Jesse Ventura. In November 2002, Ventura appointed Barkley to fill the final two months of the late Sen. Paul Wellstone's term.

The former governor said recently that Barkley is "measured minute by minute … the most effective U.S. senator in Minnesota history."

More information is available online at www.senatorbarkley.com.

Fisking Bachmann's Energy "Policy"

H/T to Ollie for pointing this one out...

A LTE appears in the Marshall Independent, taking Congresswoman Bachmann to task for her flawed energy "policy".

In his letter to the editor on Thursday, July 31, George Korver repeats Rep. Bachmann's claim that the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is a "barren wasteland" because, among other things, it has no trees. We are lucky that Ms. Bachmann is not our representative - what would she make of our treeless prairies?

However, the real problem with Rep. Bachmann's argument is her assumption that tapping ANWR will bring gasoline back down to $2 a gallon. This is unlikely, even if off-shore drilling is added to the mix - a proposal advocated by the Fairmont Sentinel in an editorial reprinted in the Independent on Monday. Fuel prices have gone up because of increased demand in China and India, where capitalism has taken off in recent years, creating industrial growth and a growing middle class. People in these countries have embraced the post-World War II U.S. model for economic growth, but have also embraced many of the material aspects of that growth, including the desire for a family car (and for more animal protein - which, as any informed farmer will tell you, is the principle reason for higher grain and fertilizer prices worldwide).

For instance, nearly 30 percent of the population of India is now considered "middle class," a small percentage compared to the U.S., but when one considers that the total population of India is 1 billion, one realizes that India's middle class is now as large as the entire population of the United States. If they own and operate cars like we do in the U.S. - a growing possibility, given that one Indian automobile manufacturer is now planning to produce a car that sells for $3,000 -the demand for oil and gas resources worldwide will increase exponentially, which means that Rep. Bachmann's dream of returning to $2-a-gallon gas is that much less likely. After all, drilling off-shore and in ANWR would only produce a "drop-in-the-bucket" which may temporarily lessen the U.S. dependence on foreign oil, but it would not even come close to completely ending that dependence, even in the short-term.

There are chiefly two ways to lower gas prices: reduce consumption and replace the gas-powered internal combustion engine. We have dramatically seen how reducing consumption has lowered gas prices this summer - it is the chief reason that the price-per-gallon has dropped more than 30 cents since June. This is nearly unprecedented: when was the last time we witnessed a drop in gas prices in the middle of summer? U.S. consumers are responding to high gas prices by driving more efficient cars and using them less. The government can help lower consumption further by supporting and subsidizing more public transportation. Imagine what would happen to the price per gallon if all the folks in the Twin Cities left their cars at home and starting taking buses and light rail - we here in southwest Minnesota would see lower gas prices in a jiffy. This will also create jobs.

We can expect auto-makers - both here and abroad - to respond to high gas prices by increasing fuel efficiency in their products, but government has a role to play by encouraging the research and development of even more fuel efficient technology, with the goal of replacing as much as possible the use of oil and gasoline. This private sector-government cooperation brought us the technological innovations of the 1990s, with its ensuing economic boom led by U.S. citizens. The current energy and food crises offers us an opportunity to change the world economy positively through improved technology and more efficient consumption; our example can also improve the energy efficiency of the growing economies of China and India as well. It is exciting to think how the people of this country can be leaders in this transformation.

The alternative - continuing to embrace 20th-century habits and technologies as implied by drilling for more oil - will only stall the inevitable, and can even have far more dangerous consequences: competing for scarce energy resources could very well lead to a Third World War. I prefer not to contribute to such an apocalypse, and I am sure Mr. Korver does not want to either.

I would caution Mr. Korver from being taken in by Rep. Bachmann's flawed logic on the energy question. She certainly seems to be advocating the position of the oil companies, who would benefit enormously by encouraging consumption and by drilling off-shore and in ANWR. I wonder who paid for her junket to ANWR anyway?

Thomas J. Williford
History professor, Southwest Minnesota State University

Bachmann's lock step march with fringe Republicans and Big Oil is no surprise to her constituents. She's been AWOL for nearly 2 years in CD 6, holding no forums or townhall meetings to discuss matters with those she "represents".

Enjoy your "vacation" Congresswoman Bachmann, while your colleagues hold golf fundraisers and you gallivant across the US to discuss energy in Alaska and New Orleans, you leave your constituents behind.

John Kline's CD 2 No Constituent Tour

If you're reading this...you're probably not important enough to attend.

Steve Sarvi held a public press conference this past week to talk about energy issues.

John Kline will go on a secret tour of energy facilities.

The saga in CD 2 continues. Kline's constituent outreach is pathetic. So, in order to smooth things over with a disgruntled electorate, Kline decides that he must embark upon a super secret energy tour.

Now, I understand the security measures needed for nuclear power plants and a refinery. The measures are pretty high, and should be. Kline will surely emerge from from the tour and issue a press release that says...

"Offshore drilling is a must."

"We must drill in ANWR."

"We must increase the number of refineries in America."

He'll probably puppet a few points Congresswoman Bachmann made in her infamous gas station press conference a few weeks ago.

Although, the constituents of CD 2 are not invited. Kline does not want to meet with the electorate that is growing more and more disenfranchised by Kline's embodiment of Bush Cheney energy policy. In fact, his secret meetings are consistent with Cheney's secret energy policy meetings.

"I have a specific itinerary, not for public consumption, which is why I’m not issuing a press release." Troy Young, Congressman Kline's Communications Director.

Seems like John Kline's day to day activities are never for public consumption for his constituents in the second. Unfortunately for Congressman Kline, people are beginning to wake up to Kline's lackluster Congressional record and shoddy constituent services.

Bob Olson interview

Mn Blue's, "The Big E" has an excellent interview of Bob Olson posted.

Bob is a tax lawyer and a banker. He understands tax incentives for business and how best to cause a business sector to grow. He's also been an advocate for renewable energy for 20 some years so he understands just a wee bit about that, too. He wants tax incentives, grants and etc. to make Minnesota a center of a green economy building wind turbines, solar panels and other green technology. He believes that we can generate billions of dollars in income by solving global warming, exporting that technology to the world and rescuing our economy from what I consider a recession.

Check it out!

Bob Olson's message to the delegates

Spent a bit of time talking to Bob Olson about the campaign and offered to post a You Tube for him.

Olson expressed great concern over the lack of debates in the 6th CD. When you compare and contrast what's happening in CD 3, who have had nearly 20 debates and forums, you can understand the concern. (There has only been on debate/forum).

I know students at St Johns/ St Bens attempted to put together something but from what I understand, no dates would work out for Tinklenberg.

With Senate District and County Unit conventions looming in the very near future, Olson wanted a way to "get the word out" to delegates.

Check it out!



In my opinion, his most powerful statements start right around the 5 minute mark, as he begins his close.

Check it out!

Eric Z ponders Tinklenberg's Taconite

Developers are Crabgrass has a post up about Tinklenberg's Taconite!

My expectation would be that differences would be minor but telling. I expect Olson would have a more detached view, apart from jobs-for-the-Iron-Range being a myopic and governing concern. However, his advocacy of energy independence and energy alternatives - such as wind energy's potential for weaning foreign oil dependence and for creating manufacturing job potentials in Minnesota, is an advocacy that has to realize that copper and nickel are important for plant and equipment bearings, stainless and other specialty steels, and for equiping wind turbine generation sites and for arranging transmission grid access and management expansions. Any wind turbine, even a single small scale site, would involve clutching and control, generator internals where nickel might be a permanent magnet alloy component, and copper is the element of choice for coil windings. Without mining, recycling alone would be relied upon, and with an expanding world and competing nations, growth of the metals in use and available would be necessary. From that practical perspective, Olson would more likely be in favor of a studied and cautious approach - with minimized long term environmental downside, whereas Tinklenberg would want more jobs in Oberstar's district yesterday with myopia toward downside risks.

Indeed, Olson is solid on sustainable / renewable energy sources, in an effort to both, protect the environment and to end our reliance on foreign oil.

With the amount of traffic I am seeing with Tinklenberg Taconite, I think something deeper may be coming on this isssue soon!

Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer in Buffalo

Joan Pauly Schneider from Buffalo organized a really fun event. Bluewoman and I will probably try to organize an event like this in SD 18.

I'll post photos later in the day!

One of the most important facets of this event was that it brought out other Democrats that I had not met in Wright County. About 60 people were in attendance at this event and I probably knew right around half the group. Normally, we recognize nearly everyone.

Coffee and rolls are always good with a fun group of Democrats around. Jack worked the room, eventually getting to BW and I. We had a fun and short chat.

After some introductions Jack spoke. His focus on not only the issues but real solutions was powerful.

He highlighted 4 areas, chief concerns he has heard as he has traveled the state. In Buffalo, Iraq may be #1, but in Fergus Falls, it could be education. Regardless of where he is though, these 4 issues are most certanly the most important.

Global Warming: The military industrial complex moved our society forward post World War II. The time to move from the MIC to a Marshall Plan to rebuild our energy infrastructure. We spend more in 1/2 day in Iraq than we do on renewable/sustainable energy funding in the United States.

"Without urgent action we will experience devastating effects, including coastal flooding, an unprecedented refugee crisis, prolonged droughts and heat waves, and water shortages. While our country is the largest contributor of greenhouse emissions, the Bush administration has refused to join international efforts to address global warming. The economic costs of not acting to address global warming are far greater than the costs of taking bold action now."

"We need to enact effective public policies to address global warming and build a renewable energy economy. This includes setting an ambitious national goal to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2030 through conservation, efficiency, better mileage vehicles, mass transit, responsible building codes and carbon taxes. Creating a renewable energy economy will generate millions of high-paying jobs. Federal research and development dollars must be reprioritized away from new weapons systems to renewable energy."

Iraq: Going to war in Iraq based on the Bush Administration intelligence was wrong, it was criminal. Continuing our militarization of Iraq with permanent bases and lengthy multiple deployments is even more wrong. Providing lacking support to our returning soldiers and Veterans is immoral.

"The Bush administration never had an exit strategy for Iraq because it does not plan on leaving. The Bush administration invaded and occupies Iraq in pursuit of two principle goals: to establish permanent military bases and to control Iraq’s vast oil supplies. Responsibly ending the occupation depends on rejecting these goals."

"All of our hopes and dreams are held hostage to the Iraq war. The $12 billion per month we spend on the war not only hurts Iraqis, it also cripples domestic efforts to address pressing environmental, health, education and other needs at home. It is shameful that the Bush administration demands hundreds of billions of dollars to continue an unnecessary war while refusing to adequately fund programs for returning vets or health care programs for uninsured US children. "

Health Care: 50 million Americans who go with no coverage is immoral. Lobbyists and the pharmaceutical industry have a stranglehold on the American health care system.

He supports a single payer health care system that provides universal coverage, focuses on prevention, and offers parity between mental and physical health needs.

Education: Jack understands the importance of high quality public education. He is the only candidate in the Senate race who has sent his kids entirely through the public school system.

"Shifting the costs of education from general taxes to property taxes also strains budgets, aggravates inequalities and erodes financial support for public education. One day of Iraq War spending could pay for 9,600 more teachers for a year."

Intertwined within each of these areas is the facet of the economy. Shifting focus from a military industrial complex based system to a sustainable / renewable energy economy will kickstart our nations security concerns and will allow ourselves to be energy independent. The wasteful spending in Iraq, putting on our future children's credit cards, harms the economy in a profound way.

Instead of taking care of our infrastructure needs, we are taking care of the needs of another nation we destroyed.

Before his Q&A session, JNP used a FDR quote. Fortunately, BW and I had visited the FDR Memorial in DC this past November and captured the quote in stone.

"Unless the peace that follows recognizes that the whole world is on neighborhood and does justice to the whole human race, the germs of another world war will remain as a constant threat to mankind."

BW and I hung around for a bit after the event, spoke to people who had not seen him speak before, as well as spoke to some of the campaign staff about organizing activities.

It was a wonderful event. It galvanizes my progressive side. I'll always support candidates who embrace hope, compassion, and the struggles that face working and middle class American's. Candidates who have a vision for change and are working to create a movement to bring forth this change always get my support.

JNP described, in part, voter dissatisfaction with Congress. “The Democrats treat the environment (or Iraq, Education, Health Care) as if we are in a car going 150 miles per hour towards a cliff and they propose to slow the car down to 100 mph. But we need a change of direction.”

Until we reject candidates of the status quo we'll continue our 100 mph plunge off a cliff.

Bob Olson: American-Made Energy Offers Chance for Economic Boom

American-Made Energy Offers Chance for Economic Boom

For Immediate Release
Contact: Christopher Truscott

ANOKA—Bob Olson, a DFL candidate in the 6th Congressional District, had the following opinion article published today on Minnesota Campaign Report.

In the piece, pasted below, Olson provides a short outline on how sustainable energy development can serve as an economic boom for America in much the same way the Internet did a decade ago.

American-Made Energy Offers Chance for Economic Boom
By Bob Olson

Short-term economic stimulus plans in Washington are almost as plentiful as lobbyists. Everyone seems to have at least one: the president, those who want to become president, representatives, senators and probably even a few interns in the White House and on Capitol Hill.

But all of these plans share a critical flaw: they're short-term. Extending unemployment benefits and providing tax rebates/other breaks to middle-income families is fine (and very necessary), but if we want to create the kind of sustainable, long-term recovery America needs we have to look further down the field.

Every great economic boom of the last century has followed some kind of major societal shift or technological advance—like the invention of the automobile at the turn of the 1900s, the migration to the suburbs in the middle of the 20th century or the commercialization of the Internet in the 1990s.

We have to capture that kind of magic again and we can. The answer is right here in Minnesota: renewable energy.

Our business community, farmers, universities, state Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty have been leaders in this critically important area. Now it's time for Congress and the president to follow.

To read the entire article, click here.

Olson gets another A: Talking Issues on AM 950

Listening on my way home from the U tonight, I thought Olson did very well.

Olson Talks Issues on The Mark Heaney Show

For Immediate Release
Contact: Christopher Truscott

ANOKA—Bob Olson, a DFL candidate in the 6th Congressional District, was a guest on The Mark Heaney Show, where he discussed critical issues facing our country.

(Note: Audio will be provided once it's available.)

On moving to renewable energy:

"(The best thing we can do) for our national security, our economy—which is very important right now—and our environment is break our dependence on foreign oil."

On reproductive rights:

"I'm pro-choice … My opponent says she's pro-family, but she votes against health care for children. … I think supporting health care for children and the poor is the real pro-life position."

On defeating Republican incumbents:

"Our Democratic candidates and representatives in Congress have not been strong enough in opposing (Karl Rove tactics)."

On the economic benefit of American-made energy vs. sending $1.3 billion abroad each day for oil:

"The solution is to keep that money here and build our economy from the grassroots up."

On economic stimulus proposals:

"If we do this, it needs to be going to the working class, the poor, the middle class—not the very, very wealthy."

"The wealthy aren't hurting. The wealthy aren't having their homes foreclosed. They're not worried about health care. We need to take care of the middle class."

"We need someone in Congress who understands these things and has the backbone to stand up to the Dick Cheneys and Karl Roves of the world."

On taxes:

"I understand the tax law and understand the middle class and working class are paying far more on the next dollar earned than someone living off capital gains and dividends. It wasn't like that (before President Bush took office)."

On health care:

"There are a lot of ways to get (to universal coverage), but every American needs health care. It is immoral that we're in this situation."

On Iraq:

"Our forces have done everything asked of them. They've done a good job and now they deserve an exit strategy."

"It made as much sense to go after Iraq and Saddam Hussein after 9/11 as it would have to attack China and India after Pearl Harbor."

Olson LTE in the SC Times

Bob Olson, candidate for Congress in the 6th CD, was mentioned in a LTE in the SC Times today. Discussing Bachmann's recent no vote on the energy bill, a Clearwater resident said the following.

A news report in the Sunday St. Cloud Times quoted our congressional leaders on their opinions about the recent congressional session.

I found it interesting that Rep. Michele Bachmann claims that "Republicans kept a steady hand and we held together with the president" when she did exactly the opposite on the energy bill.

While not as good as it could have been, the energy bill signed by President Bush does mandate increased fuel efficiency standards and more use of biofuels.

Claiming that it is a "recipe for recession" and that there's "not one watt of new energy produced in this bill," Bachmann voted against it. Thankfully, she was in the minority, but it certainly makes one question her understanding of the energy situation in this country.

There is a candidate for the 6th District who has made it a priority to study alternative energy and its possibilities. He's businessman Bob Olson, and, according to his Web site, he wrote to Bachmann to share some very basic information with her before her vote.

However, she doesn't seem to want to look at new possibilities and would rather continue our dependence on foreign oil. It seems that bringing good jobs to this area while weaning us off foreign oil would be something folks in the 6th District would be interested in.

Bob Olson knows how to bring that possibility into a reality. Is Michele Bachmann really in tune with the people of her district?

The Tinklenberg website still makes no mention of "the issues", three weeks after their campaign manager announced it was supposed to be "updated"...

Bob Olson in the news!

So while the Startribune and other mainstream media outlets continue to ignore the 6th CD and Bob Olson's run for Congress, smaller media organizations are taking notice!

Bob Olson featured in St. Croix Valley Press
For Immediate Release
Contact: Christopher Truscott
chris@bobolson.org

Olson hopes to take on Bachmann for Sixth District congressional seat
Link to full article

Olson can talk knowledgeably about many political issues, but, as the founder of the American Sustainable Energy Foundation, his eyes really light up when he talks about energy.

"I believe the most critical thing is to break our dependence on foreign oil," he says. "We're sending $1.3 billion a day out of this country on oil alone.

"Things like children's health care — we can afford that," he says. "We'll be able to afford a lot of things when we do things to implement sustainable energy."

Olson would like to see Congress invest $30 billion a year in sustainable energy over the next 10 years for two causes: to offer loan guarantees to a broad spectrum of borrowers to develop such things as wind turbines, and for tax incentives for switchgrass — for those developing new equipment that's affordable to farmers. "Switchgrass can be grown on substandard land, so it doesn't drive up food costs," says Olson.

He also sees hope for energy from wind and hydrogen. "We can move as quickly from oil, gas and coal as we did a century ago from horse and buggy," he says.

"We don't need to be dependent on Mideast oil," he says. "We could have jobs created in the U.S." One of his goals would be to have two wind turbine plants in the 6th District. He'd also like to see three hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on the Nicollet Mall and at the U of M.

In his tax attorney hat, he also can speak to taxes, and he doesn't understand how the middle class can vote for Republicans "while they're picking their pockets."

Olson says the '81 tax cuts were the greatest shift of wealth away from the middle class, the '86 tax cuts made it worse, and the Bush tax cuts "pulled out all the stops."

"People making $30,000 in taxable earned income pay 66 percent more (in taxes) on the next dollar than someone making more than $300,000, and living off capital gains and dividends," says Olson.
"The only way to afford to vote Republican," he says, "is if you make over $300,000, live off capital gains or are about to inherit $4 million from mom and dad.

"We need to change things so the middle class benefits, like health care for everyone, and we can afford it," he says.

He knows he has strong views that are in opposition to those of Congresswoman Bachmann.
"There's a definite difference on SCHIP," he says. "We have 47 million without health insurance — 85,000 kids in Minnesota alone.

"And Mrs. Bachmann has been an advocate for Bush's war in Iraq. That (attack) made as much sense as it would have to attack India or China after Pearl Harbor," says Olson. "We attacked our enemy's enemy."

He would also like to see the government fund its educational mandates. "The current 'incentives' are punishment," he says. In football, he says, if a guy got hurt, you didn't have him do wind sprints.

"Good quality, well-funded education is a strength," he says. "It's hard to invest too much in education."

Unlike Bachmann, Olson supports the North Star Line, and he's a strong environmentalist.

"There's enough wind energy 35 miles on each side of I-90 from Sioux Falls past Rochester that it could be the new Saudi Arabia of sustainable energy," he says, "And the Sixth District could be the new Silicon Valley."

"My knowledge as a tax lawyer will serve me well," says Olson. "I don't see Ms. Bachmann caring about the middle class. She tows the line for the wealthy, and I'm not sure she knows the difference."

Bachmann continues to vote against Minnesota's interests

I like the press release, especially on the heels of the SC Times LTE that credited Elwyn Tinklenberg for his strong stances on sustainable energy. Note that a week after the campaign told the SD 19 crowd that the "website is under significant revision but will be revised tomorrow", still no discussion of issues...

For Immediate Release
Contact: Christopher Truscott
chris@bobolson.org

ANOKA—Bob Olson, a DFL candidate in the 6th Congressional District, released the following statement regarding Michele Bachmann's vote against the Energy Independence and Security Act:

"This bill is far from perfect in my eyes, but it does begin to move us in the right direction by raising fuel efficiency standards and increasing production of ethanol and biofuels. Certainly anyone who has recently pumped gas at nearly $3 a gallon can get behind that.

"Michele Bachmann, however, made it clear that she's opposed to any reform. Rather than less pain at the pump and more investment in renewable energy we can produce right here in Minnesota, Mrs. Bachmann's answer is stay the course—more entanglements in the Middle East, more pollution, more of the same.

"While her supporters over at the Exxon Mobil PAC might be happy, Mrs. Bachmann's vote flies in the face of Minnesota values and is against the best interests of residents throughout the 6 th District."

Olson writes Bachmann...

And she'll probably ignore him like she has ignored a good of her constituents...maybe we'll all get on one of those teleconferences!

Olson Writes to Bachmann Regarding Sustainable Energy

For Immediate Release
Contact: Christopher Truscott
chris@bobolson.org
612.423.2582

ANOKA – Bob Olson, a DFL candidate in the 6th Congressional District, sent the following letter to Michele Bachmann regarding her vote against legislation to help America end its dangerous dependence on foreign oil.

* * * * *

The Honorable Michele Bachmann
412 Cannon Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

Monday, Dec. 10, 2007


Dear Congresswoman Bachmann:

I am writing regarding your vote last week against a critical piece of legislation that will help move our country beyond its lethal addiction to foreign oil.

This important bill will raise fuel efficiency standards on automobiles for the first time in a generation and eliminate tax breaks for the biggest oil companies in the country so we can invest in American-made renewable energy.

In discussing the bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "We will send our energy dollars to the Midwest, not the Middle East."

She's absolutely right.

Currently, we export a billion dollars a day out of our country to keep America moving. Our addiction to foreign oil has us mired in no-win alliances in the Middle East, it's poisoning our environment and it's crippling our economy.

Minnesota can play a leading role in breaking this dangerous cycle. We can create thousands of new, good jobs, which is nothing to scoff at given the economic difficulties facing our great state.

I am advocating additional strong investment in loan guarantee funds and tax incentives so Minnesota entrepreneurs can take the impressive work they have done here to the national level. This policy is a victory for Minnesota and America as a whole.

I know you have talked about your interest in improving our economy and strengthening America's national security. Energy independence moves us in that direction.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to you demonstrating positive leadership on this in the future.

Sincerely,
Bob Olson

Why I support Bob Olson for Congress

I support Bob Olson for Congress because:

I'm a Veteran and cannot stand political leaders who waver on the war in Iraq.
I'm a college student and want a leader who understands Congress' role in helping keep college affordable for working and middle class Minnesotans.
I'm a tax payer and support a real tax attorney, not a IRS Enforcement Agent posing as a tax attorney.
I'm a former candidate who will run again soon! Most campaigns swoop in with their outsiders and rob local races of much needed volunteer support and money. Olson's grassroots efforts build our party, not dismantle it every election cycle.
I'm pro-union.
I support the family farmer and sustainable energy.
I am a strong Democrat, as verified by the VAN :)
I am pro-choice.
I support same sex marriage. This is a human rights issue!

Lastly, and the most important reason I support Bob Olson...

I want to win in the 6th and Bob Olson gives us the best shot at unseating Michele Bachmann.

Social moderates lose in the 6th. Janet Roberts lost to Mark Kennedy in 2002 getting only 35% of the vote. People who vote on social conservatism will vote for Bachmann. I don't want a repeat of 02.

Elwyn Tinklenberg is a good man, but I do not think he is the right person at the right time.

Olson is straight forward on the issues that matter most to me. He has never wavered on the war in Iraq. He is a man of conviction.

Tinklenberg's position on Iraq is an excuse. For Veterans, he shows no leadership. He would have supported President Bush's decision, "based on the information at the time".

Wellstone, Dayton, Oberstar, McCollum, and Sabo had the courage to vote no. Olson would have as well, Tinklenberg would have voted to send 3,800 soldiers to their deaths.

Tinklenberg has vast experience on transportation issues. However, some will view his rant hours after the concrete he failed to fully fund fell hundreds of feet into the Mississippi River, a case of CYA.

Finally, while on the subject of Minnesota transportation commissioners, one of the lowlights this past week was former Jesse Ventura Administration Commissioner of Transportation Elwyn Tinklenberg. Mere hours after the bridge went down, he was being interviewed on KARE-11 TV (our local NBC affiliate) standing in front of the dark Capitol building blathering (there is no better word) about MnDOT's "constant deterioration of the budget, constant layoffs, failure to replace people," etc. Most of what he said was not only not true, but it was crass in the immediate aftermath of the bridge falling down. And for the record, the collective opinion on Tinklenberg in the transportation job was much worse than Molnau's.

Why did he say in May he was not running, but then decide, after the 35W bridge collapse, to run in the 6th?

May was too close to the last election, but October is just right? Sorry, I just don't get it...

I have some problems with the ambiguity of Tinklenberg's stances on Iraq and the social issues.

Back to Bob!

Bob Olson is brilliant. Seeing him work the room at the Founders Day event was great. He had a witty sense of humor that immediately breaks down a barrier between a candidate and a potential supporter.

Bob is a subject matter expert on Sustainable Energy issues and the tax code. Seeing him speak about these issues gave me goosebumps. He was well reasoned, attentive, and articulate.

Sustainable Energy sources in the 6th would mean jobs. It would spur an economy that the SC Times has recently noted that the St Cloud area is 40% likely to fall into a recession in 2008.

Olson gets it, he understands that Wall Street looks great, while Main St rural Central Minnesota is suffering.

I support Bob Olson because I know where he stands and will not waver in the strong political winds that blow through the 6th.

Simply put, he's the right candidate at the right time.

Bob Olson at the Farmers Union booth

CD 6 DFL candidate Bob Olson was hard at work at the Minnesota Farmers Union booth at the Minnesota State Fair.

Drawing on his experience as a tax lawyer and the majority owner of St. Stephen State Bank, Olson explained how tax incentives and loan guarantee funds can help American farmers lead the way to breaking our country's addiction to foreign oil.

"There is nothing more important to agriculture in Minnesota than to develop our sustainable energy resources, including wind energy, biodiesel, and corn and cellulosic ethanol," he said. "The tax law must change so the economic benefits go to Minnesota farmers, rather than large corporate and out-of-state interests."

Doug Peterson, president of the Minnesota Farmers Union, said he was pleased with Olson's commitment to the state's agricultural economy.

"Bob Olson understands the issues that are important to family farmers, ranchers and rural communities," Peterson said. "We appreciate his coming by our booth at the State Fair and spending time talking with us."

By investing in American-made renewable energy, Olson said, we can strengthen our national security, protect our environment and jump-start our economy.

"It makes as much sense for Minnesota and America to ignore wind and other sustainable energy as it would to stop farming the land and start buying our crops from the Middle East," he said.

Olson's strength in renewable and sustainable energy issues will suit the 6th CD well. In rural Minnesota, the majority of farmers tend to vote Republican. Having an expert on one of the most important issues to our farmers, sustainable energy, will not only strengthen "the F" in DFL, but will strengthen labor ties as well.

It creates a win-win situation for the DFL and the 6th CD. CD 6 DFL candidate Bob Olson was hard at work at the Minnesota Farmers Union booth at the Minnesota State Fair.

The "Toxic 13"

Christopher Truscott has another great blog up at mnpACT!

Renewable energy sources have a great deal of support in the Minnesota Legislature. In fact, 188 of 201 elected leaders support the initiative for 25% of the state's energy sources coming from renewable energy by 2025.

13 elected leaders do not support this proposal.

In addition to being good for our environment, this legislation also puts Minnesota in a position to lead in the 21st century, while other states struggle for answers to their own energy needs. Whereas smokestacks symbolized progress at the turn of the last century, green industry is the wave of the future and we're now on the cutting edge of a promising new era.

We have all spoken out about the importance of renewable energy sources and our state's vision to become energy independent.

Not surprising though, are the individuals that do not support these initiatives in our local area.

Mark Olson

Tom Emmer

Bruce Anderson

Ron Shimanski

We anxiously await the spin...

Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Seems some SCSU employees have it figured out. US Senate Candidate Robert Fitzgerald travelled around the state in a bus powered by fryer oil waste.

Enjoy...and yeah, John Roberson was from Annandale.

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) — John Roberson doesn't stop at the gas station when his car is running low on fuel. Instead, he heads to the nearest fast food restaurant.

Roberson fills up the 55-gallon tank on his 1979 Mercedes 240D with vegetable oil that was already used to cook French fries and chicken strips. While nearly everyone else pays $2-$3 a gallon for petroleum-based fuel, Roberson pays nothing for his ``veggie'' fuel — or for the satisfaction that comes with knowing he's doing his part to reduce pollution and the nation's dependence on foreign oil.

Roberson and his fellow St. Cloud State University employees Darrin Printy and Timothy Gardner are among a small but dedicated group across the country who are looking for cheaper, cleaner fuel alternatives.

``It seemed like a good idea. I'm not a big fan of going to the gas station every week and buying 10 or 20 gallons of fuel to commute,'' said Roberson, who lives about 20 miles away in Monticello.

Much attention has been paid to biodiesel, a processed blend of vegetable oil, petroleum diesel and alcohol. Minnesota law requires that all diesel sold in the state contain at least 2 percent biodiesel.

But the cars driven by Roberson, Printy and Gardner run on straight vegetable oil salvaged from deep fat fryers. After tracking down a used car with a diesel engine, Roberson bought an $800 conversion kit that he installed himself one weekend.

It included a tank in the trunk to hold the oil, some coolant lines, a dashboard switch and a fuel gauge. Roberson bought the car last April, and said it's been running great since.

``I was a little concerned with the cold weather this week ... and it ran just fine,'' he said.

The cars use regular diesel fuel to start and stop. But once it's warmed up, the driver switches over to vegetable oil. The cars get about the same gas mileage, 25 to 30 mpg, as a traditional diesel engine, and Roberson estimates he gets almost 100 miles for every gallon of diesel he uses.

All three men said that restaurants they approached were eager to get rid of their used oil. Roberson and Printy both get theirs from the burger chain Culver's.

Restaurants typically have to pay to get used oil disposed of. ``It eliminates their waste, plus it's basically free,'' said Barb Behling, public relations director for the Wisconsin-based chain.

Behling said she was getting at least a call a week last summer from people interested in oil for veggie-fueled cars, at a time when gas prices rose to around $3 a gallon. Calls have dwindled as gas prices have dropped, she said.

The St. Cloud State colleagues admit veggie cars probably aren't for everyone. Roberson and Gardner are both car guys who were able to install the converters themselves, and those less mechanically inclined would need to pay to get it done.

You also have to be willing to forsake style. Most of the converted cars are at least 20 years old, because older diesel models have proven easier to modify. That can mean more expense when it comes to repairs or replacing parts.

The three men said it helps a lot to have friends in the same veggie-powered boat.``Between the three of us, we're able to compare notes and keep things running,'' Printy said.

Both Printy and Robertson also installed mini ``refineries'' in their garages in order to make it easier to strain the oil to remove bits of French fries and other contaminants.

``It's a lot more work to do this than to just pull up to a gas station and put your credit card in and lift the handle,'' Roberson said.

``I don't know that it's a drawback, because it actually makes you think about some of the work and the product that goes into your car to get you from point A to point B.

''Then there's the smell. But that one's not necessarily a drawback.

``I think it kind of smells like a cross between French fries ... and grilling something on the grill,'' Roberson said. ``It smells a lot better to me than the regular diesel smoke. It gives you the munchies.''