Elect Ron Kind for Congress - Wisconsin Third Congressional District

U.S. Reps. Ron Kind and Tim Walz joined 211 House Democrats and eight Republicans Friday in passing a sweeping and controversial energy plan that would for the first time put limits on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

Kind, a La Crosse Democrat, called the bill a long overdue new energy plan that will create jobs, an estimated 35,000 over the next decade in Wisconsin, enhance national security and reduce pollution.
I'm not claiming it's a perfect product, he said. It's a work in progress.

Kind said in addition to spurring jobs in renewable energy fields, such as wind and solar electricity, the bill would be a boon for La Crosse companies Trane and Chart, which will see an increase in demand for their energy-efficient heating and cooling systems thanks to new guidelines and incentives.

Kind also touted benefits for farmers who could boost incomes by selling carbon credits in exchange for no-till planting, manure management and other carbon sequestration practices.

Supporters and opponents both say the bill would increase the cost of energy but disagree on the impact for consumers. Kind said he was satisfied with consumer protections added to the original 1,200-page text.

La Crosse-based Dairyland Power was neutral on the bill.

The company favors Congressional action, but Brian Rude, vice president of external and member relations, worries the requirements to reduce carbon emissions by 2012, or purchase credits on the open market, are too onerous and will result in rate increases for customers.

We're not opposing it, but we can't support it, Rude said Friday morning.

Rude said he hopes the Senate, which has yet to take up the legislation, will introduce more protections for nonprofit and co-op utilities like Dairyland.

Walz, who represents southern Minnesota, announced Thursday he would support the White House-backed legislation, after changes were made to the bill that strengthened protections for agriculture and electricity consumers, especially those members of rural electrical cooperatives.

On Friday night, Walz said the bill was a major step toward weaning America off foreign oil.

If we don't take this step, we'll struggle and energy will remain a volatile issue for us, Walz said.