Legislative Scorecard:

2003 - Conservation Values Stretched Taut

Pure air and clean water are fundamental to Minnesota's quality of life. We have a long tradition of taking responsibility for the protection of our resources and the diverse life they support. That tradition was severely strained during the 2003 session as massive budget cutting and state energy policy dominated the stage. The final outcome is a mix of losses and wins.

Following Governor Pawlenty’s recommendations nearly to the letter, the legislature passed budgets cutting more than $50 million from funding that protects our air, land and water. On top of these cuts, the Future Resources Fund was completely destroyed. This fund supported innovative conservation solutions for 40 years, and its loss will cost an additional $7.5 million a year in every year to come.

Energy issues sparked hard-fought battles with a mix of impacts. The extension of nuclear power production and easing of regulatory protections in order to pave the way for a new coal power plant on the Iron Range were stinging losses. At the same time, a strong coalition was able to proactively push important initiatives. The energy bill earmarks up to $26 million to increase energy produced from renewable sources, such as wind and hydrogen. In addition, the state’s largest utility, Xcel Energy, is now required to produce 10% of its power from renewable sources by 2015.

Proactive efforts to decrease water pollution from dish detergent and human waste made a beachhead, promising more victories in the future. Ongoing efforts to protect state forests from All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) moved forward.

Well-oiled efforts also worked well to stop a variety of bad bills that would have destroyed wetlands, cut funds for local water protection, banned native grasses from highway right-of-ways and sold off lands in the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area.

Download full 2003 Legislative Scorecard