2014 MN Senate debate: on Environment


Al Franken: Ok the PolyMet copper mine only after 9-year review

On the controversial PolyMet copper mine, Franken said that while the region needs the jobs the project would bring, the 9 years of permits and studies before final approval is needed to ensure sustainable mining. "I can imagine how it can be frustrating, especially for the people who want those jobs, but the only thing worse than taking a long time to get this right is getting it wrong," Franken said.

McFadden called the project a prime example of government overreach and accused Franken of having been "Washington-ized" for believing 9 years of study was reasonable. "The fact that this has taken nine years and over $200 million in regulatory review is not acceptable," McFadden said. "It is crazy."

Source: Star-Tribune on 2014 Minnesota Senate debate Oct 2, 2014

Al Franken: Prevent invasive species Asian carp in Great Lakes

Asian carp are an invasive species that pose a major threat to the ecosystem and fisheries of the Great Lakes. The invasive carp have been traveling up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers for decades, and experts fear that if they reach the Great Lakes they will devastate the ecology and fisheries of the region.

Senator Franken supports immediate action to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes, including the possibility of closing the locks in Chicago that could allow passage of the Asian carp into Lake Michigan. He is a cosponsor of the Stop Asian Carp Act (S. 471), which would direct the Army Corps of Engineers to take immediate action to prevent the potential entry of Asian carp into the Great Lakes. He also supports robust funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Asian carp management initiative to support strong actions to keep the Asian carp out of Lake Superior.

Source: 2014 Minnesota Senate campaign website, franken.senate.gov Sep 1, 2014

Mike McFadden: Develop our natural resources AND protect the environment

Sen. Al Franken's Republican challenger made a case for a power shift in the upper chamber, using the GOP's weekly address to bash Democrats' regulatory and education policies. Mike McFadden accused the majority party of failed leadership in the years following the Great Recession. "President Obama and Senate Democrats have had their chance to turn our economy around, but all we're doing is running in place. We can do better," McFadden said.

McFadden said the Obama administration and congressional Democrats have presided over a regulatory agenda that has stifled the recovery. He cited a major Minnesota copper and nickel-mining project that has been stalled while its proponents await approval from seven regulatory agencies, "which is crazy."

"I believe there's a better way," he added. "Through smarter regulation and a little common sense, we can develop our natural resources in a way that creates jobs and protects the environment."

Source: The Hill weblog on 2014 Minnesota Senate race Aug 9, 2014

Mike McFadden: Supports PolyMet mining project in Hoyt Lakes

I want Minnesotans in our Northland to know that while the DFL may be divided over the PolyMet project in Hoyt Lakes, I support it unequivocally. Environmental extremists who oppose responsible economic development along Minnesota's Iron Range now dominate the leadership of the Democratic Party of Minnesota. Long gone are the days when the DFL supported mining. The south Minneapolis activists within the DFL want to present a false choice to voters in which we can either protect the environment or create jobs. As a result, the Minnesota DFL did not include pro-mining language in the party's platform at its state convention two weeks ago. I know we can create jobs while protecting the environment.

The PolyMet mine in Hoyt Lakes is the perfect example of a project that will create jobs while still allowing us to preserve the natural resources that make Minnesota such a great place to live. Projects like PolyMet will put Minnesotans back to work and get our economy moving again.

Source: McFadden in Duluth News Tribune: 2014 Minnesota Senate race Jun 15, 2014

  • The above quotations are from 2014 Minnesota Senate debates.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Environment.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Al Franken on Environment.
  • Click here for more quotes by Jim Abeler on Environment.
Candidates and political leaders on Environment:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R) 		Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R) 		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 06, 2018