State Rep. Pat Garofalo, a Republican from Farmington who has what is called a “complicated” energy vision, has been named chair of a national energy and environment committee.
Under the new state House GOP majority, Garofalo is now chair of the Minnesota House Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy & Finance Committee.
And today it was announced that he’ll be co-chair of the Council on State Government’s Energy and Environmental Public Policy Committee. He’ll share the gavel with Oregon state Rep. Brad Witt, a Democrat.
The Council of State Governments’ director of policy, John Mountjoy, said: “CSG has long prided itself in attracting the best and the brightest state leaders.”
The role of the CSG’s Energy and Environmental Public Policy Committee, the group says, is to provide:
… a forum for state leaders to address emerging challenges and issues arising from dynamic energy-related and environmental conditions. Members of the committee focus on emerging trends, innovative and effective solutions, and viable policy positions and response projects.
The committee is designed to encourage multi-state problem solving and sharing of best practices, and to facilitate networking among state officials and between the public and private sectors. CSG’s national leaders, in concert with the committee’s membership, establish the committee’s priorities. During meetings, committee members may introduce and consider policy resolutions.
Garofalo has a “complicated vision” for the future of energy, says a recent story in City Pages, which notes that he is “anti-solar subsidy, pro-oil pipeline, and pro-fracking, but he also drives a Tesla and backs wind power.”
Garofalo’s own web site says he supports:
- Increased renewable energy production through wind, hydro, and solar technology
- Increased production through domestic clean coal technology
- Increased production through nuclear power
- Promotion of common sense conservation measures
- A balanced plan which LOWERS ENERGY PRICES
Minnesota is the only state in the country which PROHIBITS policy makers from even CONSIDERING construction of a nuclear power plant. Representative Garofalo has voted to repeal this prohibition and supports nuclear power as an energy source. Just as with saving for a retirement, diversification is the key to our energy needs.
