~ Legislation passed nearly unanimously includes renewable energy, veteran services ~

Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today signed the $170 million Agriculture and Veterans Omnibus Bill that strengthens the Clean Water Legacy Act, builds on the Governor’s Next Generation Energy initiative, and continues Minnesota’s commitment to members of the military and veterans.

“This bill includes key initiatives we proposed to help veterans, active military members and their families,” Governor Pawlenty said. “It also focuses on renewable energy development and important programs to keep Minnesota agriculture growing.”

The legislation creates the Next Generation Energy Board, expands the Agricultural Best Management Practices Loan Program to improve water quality, and includes outreach and reintegration programs for Minnesota veterans.

The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in the legislature, passing the House 130-1 and the Senate unanimously.

Key agriculture provisions

Next Generation Energy Initiative

1) The Next Generation Energy Board will be created to research and recommend how the state can invest its resources to most efficiently achieve energy independence, agricultural and natural resources sustainability, and rural economic vitality. It will also examine the future of fuels, such as hydrogen, methanol, biodiesel, and ethanol within Minnesota.

2) Next Generation Energy Grants totaling $1.4 million for biofuels and biomass research to:
- Biomass Fuel Supply Depot for the creation of a biomass fuel supply depot in LeSueur or Scott County
- Bois Forte Band of Chippewa for a feasibility study of a renewable energy biofuels demonstration facility that would use forest resources, woody biomass and cellulosic material to produce biofuels or bioenergy.
- White Earth Band of Chippewa to conduct a feasibility study for a biofuels demonstration facility.
- Elk River Economic Development Authority for a study of plasma gasification of waste into methanol for biodiesel production.
- Chisago County to study locating a renewable energy facility in Chisago, Isanti or Pine County.

3) 25 x 25 Goal that aims for agriculture, forestry and working lands to produce at least 25 percent of the total energy consumed in Minnesota and expands the Petroleum Replacement Goal to 25 percent by 2025.

Other agriculture provisions

• Clean Water Legacy – $4 million
  - Agricultural Best Management Practices Loan Program - $2.5 million for local units of government to offer loans to landowners within impaired watersheds to improve water quality. The loan limits will now allow more flexibility for local lenders to address important projects The program has loaned through local lenders over $100,000,000 since 1994 to Minnesotans to address environmental problems
  - Research, Evaluation and Effectiveness Monitoring - $1.1 million funding to conduct priority research projects, primarily through the University of Minnesota.
• Agricultural Utilization Research Institute – $6.2 million. AURI is a nonprofit corporation created to improve the economy of rural Minnesota through new uses and new markets for the state’s agricultural commodities. Under this legislation, AURI will also continue to monitor and coordinate renewable energy efforts and opportunities in the state via the Renewable Energy Roundtable.
• Minnesota Grown is a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the growers and processors who provide quality Minnesota Grown products. It includes nearly 1,000 farmers who grow or raise a wide variety of products. A small fee increase plus new funding will ensure the program’s continued success and will provide approximately $397,000 for FY08-09.
• Ethanol Producer Payments will continue with $30.3 million in funding. As the number of eligible producers diminishes, any remaining funds will be designated for a value-added agricultural product processing and marketing grant program.
• Bovine tuberculosis eradication and surveillance efforts will continue with $811,000 to be to test cattle herds and provide technical and administrative support.
• Invasive Species and Pest Management - $739,000 is allocated to increase efforts to keep invasive species such as emerald ash borer and gypsy moth out of Minnesota, while assisting with integrated pest management activities within the state.
• The Rural Finance Authority revolving loan account is expanded to include disaster recovery assistance to help farmers clean up, repair or replace farm structures damaged by storms or replace watering systems due to drought.

Key Veterans and Military provisions

• Veteran Affairs Communication and Outreach - $3.4 million to reach Minnesota veterans through tribal service officers, the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, and a statewide marketing plan.
• State Reintegration Initiative - $1.5 million to continue the reintegration efforts for redeployed service members.
• Increase County Veterans Service Officers Grants - $1.5 million in grants to enhance benefits and programs with a priority on outreach, reintegration of combat veterans and reducing homelessness among veterans.
• Armory Maintenance Program – $2 million for custodial support for the 61 state owned National Guard facilities.
• General Support Appropriation Increase - $560,000 to hire staff to facilitate property management, provide immediate logistic support for the state’s active duty personnel, and to better coordinate with state and federal agencies.
• Special Assessments - $185,000 to pay special assessments levied by communities against state owned properties.
• Higher Education Offices - $900,000 to expand the Veterans Assistance Offices on Campus Program for veterans, military members, and their families.
• State Soldier Assistance Program - $2 million cash assistance for shelter payments, utilities, and personal needs grants to veterans who are unable to work as a result of temporary disability.
• Department of Veteran Affairs administration - $500,000 to support director level positions at the DVA and an ombudsman for the Veterans Home Board.
• Veteran Organization Funding - $500,000 to for Congressionally Chartered Veteran Organizations.
• State Veteran Cemetery - $150,000 for staffing and equipment to provide proper graveside maintenance.
• Starbase Minnesota- $175,000 for the design of a new facility for the Starbase Minnesota program for at-risk youth and for a study to measure the academic progress of youth participating in this program. Starbase Minnesota is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to increase the knowledge, skills, and interest of inner city youth in science, mathematics, and technology.
• Depleted Uranium Health Screening - $200,000 for outreach and information on depleted uranium (DU) testing provided by the federal government. Concerns have been raised about DU and potential health consequences.
• Honor Guard Reimbursement - $260,000 for honor guards at funerals.
• World War II State Capitol Memorial Dedication - $250,000 for the dedication ceremony. · Veterans Counseling- $80,000 for suicide prevention and outreach efforts.
• Department of Veteran Affairs technology upgrades - $200,000 to ensure safety of veteran’s private information.

"The legislation signed today once again demonstrates Minnesota's leadership in agriculture and strengthening rural economies,” Governor Pawlenty said. “We have also come together and demonstrated our gratitude to our service men and women. I thank the legislators for their leadership and for putting politics aside to move Minnesota forward."