New course is old-fashioned…and that’s a good thing
by Fresh Energyby Timothy Rose, media relations director, Fresh Energy
It’s old fashioned, it’s trite and it’s absolutely true – the devil is in the details. That is the challenge for the environmental community as we move forward with a well-earned euphoric glow after the Midwest Governor’s Association’s Energy Summit and regional agreement of cooperation. Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois have climate change advisory task forces. It is expected that all will be recommending significant and hopefully strident legislation to curb global warming pollution, escalate renewable energy, and significantly increase energy efficiency.
But one thing that is perhaps overlooked in all the rhetoric is the practicality. The St Paul Pioneer Press got it right last Sunday, and there is a lesson for the environmental community here. Rarely have traditional environmental solutions been viewed as practical. This time, not only are we protecting the planet, but we’re also making good old-fashioned (and yes, Midwestern) common sense. The course we’re charting makes sense economically and environmentally. It should surprise no one that these kind of solutions are coming out of the Midwest. It’s one of the things we pride ourselves on.
