by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

Two members of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation in a bipartisan display are calling on state lawmakers to lift the ban on nuclear power plant construction.

Third District Congressman Erik Paulsen, R-Eden Prairie, and First District Congressman Tim Walz, DFL-Mankato, appeared at a Capitol today (Tuesday, Nov. 24), joined by state lawmakers, business and labor leaders, to push for the repeal of the moratorium.

Republican Third Congressional District Congressman Erik Paulsen (right) and Rep. Joyce Peppin, R-Rogers, joined Democratic First Congressional District Congressman Tim Walz, business representatives and labor leaders at the Capitol today (Tuesday, Nov. 24) to call for the lifting of the state's moratorium on nuclear power plant construction. The lawmakers argued that any realistic approach to energy must include nuclear power. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

“We understand this issue is very emotional for people,” said Walz.

But the congressmen argued that nuclear power needs to be included in the future energy mix — it’s clean, it has important base load potential, they said.

Paulsen compared taking nuclear power off the table as an energy tool to “trying to row a boat with one oar.”

Paulsen and Walz have co-sponsored related legislation, H.R. 2227, “The American Conservation and Clean Energy Independence Act,”

Promoting carbon-free technology

The legislation would tap into royalties from oil revenue payments and use five percent, about $110 billion, to promote carbon-free technologies and could include loan guarantees for commercial nuclear power plants, according to Walz’s office.

Paulsen considers increasing offshore oil exploration and using the ensuing federal revenues to foster nuclear power a win/win.

The congressmen indicated they would accept a new nuclear power plant being built in their districts, assuming rules and regulations are followed.

“Absolutely,” said Walz, asking about a new plant being constructed in Mankato.

The state’s current energy policy forces the use of coal, said Walz.

But even if the initiative hits all green lights, the outcome will be long term.

A union official indicated that  it could take a decade before a new nuclear power plant could open in Minnesota.

Pawlenty supports lifting of ban

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has indicated his support for lifting the nuclear power plant construction ban.

Last session the Minnesota Senate voted to lift the ban, but the effort stalled in the House.

Rep. Joyce Peppin, R-Rogers, carried repeal legislation in the House and believes a tipping point is drawing nearer. “I’m hopeful,” Peppin said of passing a repeal  this coming session.

Although making no predictions, Peppin believes the ban will ultimately be lifted.

It was put into place in 1994 as part of legislation allowing additional dry cask storage at the Prairie Island nuclear facility.

Last session, the Minnesota Senate approved the lifting of the moratorium but on a close vote, the effort failed in the House. Rep. Peppin (pictured at left), who has championed lifting the moratorium for years, believes the ban will ultimately be lifted. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

Besides Prairie Island, there’s one other nuclear power plant in the state at Monticello.

Even though the federal government has failed to yet establish a permanent storage site for nuclear waste, the push to lift the moratorium should still go ahead, Paulsen and Walzz argued.

Critics of lifting the ban have pointed to the lack of a waste storage facility and the perceived threat to national security produced by shipping nuclear waste across county as reasons to keep the ban in place.