2018 MN Governor's race: on Energy & Oil


Jeff Johnson: Climate is changing naturally; human involvement debatable

Q: Consider climate change a critical threat?

Jeff Johnson (R): No. Says climate is changing naturally and human involvement is debatable.

Tim Walz (D): Yes. Sees climate change as real and urgent.

Q: Should the government limit the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

Johnson: No. Believes that a single country's efforts to mitigate climate change would have only a "small effect" & "we don't need to reorder our economy based on climate change."

Walz): Yes. Supported legislation to restrict carbon emissions. Opposed Trump's decision to withdraw from Paris Climate Agreement.

Q: Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

Johnson: Questions Minnesota's mandates on producing renewable fuels like ethanol & biodiesel, but promises not to end them if elected.

Walz: Yes. Wants to expand the Renewable Energy Standard, so Minnesota will get at least 50% of its energy from renewables by 2030, up from 21% now.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Minnesota Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Tim Walz: Climate change is real and urgent

Q: Consider climate change a critical threat?

Jeff Johnson (R): No. Says climate is changing naturally and human involvement is debatable.

Tim Walz (D): Yes. Sees climate change as real and urgent.

Q: Should the government limit the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

Johnson: No. Believes that a single country's efforts to mitigate climate change would have only a "small effect" & "we don't need to reorder our economy based on climate change."

Walz): Yes. Supported legislation to restrict carbon emissions. Opposed Trump's decision to withdraw from Paris Climate Agreement.

Q: Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

Johnson: Questions Minnesota's mandates on producing renewable fuels like ethanol & biodiesel, but promises not to end them if elected.

Walz: Yes. Wants to expand the Renewable Energy Standard, so Minnesota will get at least 50% of its energy from renewables by 2030, up from 21% now.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Minnesota Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Lori Swanson: Proceed with caution approach to solar energy gardens

Solar power currently provides less than 1% of Minnesota's total electricity generation. But the push for more production continues, and utility customers are being heavily encouraged to "invest" in "community solar gardens." Not everyone is convinced these "gardens" are a bright idea. Even the Office of Minnesota AG Lori Swanson admits "the sun does not always shine in Minnesota" and "a solar developer's claim that its facility will produce a certain amount of energy may not pan out."
Source: AmericanExperiment.org on 2018 Minnesota Gubernatorial race Jun 9, 2017

Tina Liebling: 25% renewable energy by 2025

As energy production evolves so must Minnesota. In 2007, Minnesota passed a renewable energy standard of 25% by 2025. Many utilities are close to achieving the goal, but we must do even better. I support the proposal for 50% of our energy to come from renewables by 2030. This is not only better for our environment and Minnesotans' wallets, it creates good paying jobs. Clean energy jobs grew 78% from 2000 to 2014, compared to total 11% for total employment. And climate change MUST be contained.
Source: 2018 Minnesota governor campaign website TinaLiebling.com May 2, 2017

  • The above quotations are from 2018 Minnesota Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Energy & Oil.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Erin Murphy on Energy & Oil.
  • Click here for more quotes by Chris Coleman on Energy & Oil.
Candidates and political leaders on Energy & Oil:

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)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Dec 11, 2018