Newsletter Archives

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

North Star Newsletter | May, 2011

Promoting Renewable Energy Investment

I believe our energy future is one of the greatest challenges facing our nation today, and Minnesota has a lot to teach Washington. Our state leads the nation in renewable energy, and one of the things Minnesota understands better than Washington about renewable energy and energy efficiency is that it's not just about benefits in the next century. It's about the jobs and industries we're missing out on right now. It's about the economic potential that we squander every day we aren't taking great leaps towards a renewable energy economy. As I announced in my speech to the Humphrey Center for Public Affairs, this fall I will bring the Department of Energy to a summit in Minnesota with our state's renewable energy leaders to help advance these technologies — and boost the economy — in our state and nationwide.

Bringing bin Laden to Justice

The death of Osama bin Laden is great news. I think every American feels very emotional about what happened in Pakistan on Sunday. We're full of pride and gratitude for the work of our service members and everyone who helped bring Osama bin Laden to justice, sadness as we remember that horrific day ten years ago, and hope as we go forward in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates. I think the president was wise to remind us of how unified we felt as a nation after 9/11 and how we can achieve anything we put our mind to if we work together.

Protecting Your Privacy

Researchers recently discovered that the newest operating system on Apple’s iPhones and iPads have been basically logging users’ location information and storing the information in unsecure files on the devices and any computers to which they’re synced. I believe consumers have a right to know what data is being collected about them and a right to decide if they want to share it. So, as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and Law, I will be holding a hearing on mobile technology and privacy, and have invited representatives from Apple and Google to testify along with officials from the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. Protecting Minnesotans’ privacy is very important and understanding how this location tracking works is the first step.

Pressing for Flooding Help

Counties across Minnesota have experienced a great deal of damage and hardship due to the spring flooding. But there is some good news. The water is starting to recede and FEMA has concluded their damage assessment. Gov. Dayton has formally requested that the President issue a disaster declaration for the state. The declaration would provide additional funds, which would help the communities rebuild and mitigate the damage. That is why Sen. Amy Klobuchar and I, along with Reps. Collin Peterson, John Kline, and Tim Walz, have also urged President Obama and Secretary Napolitano to quickly issue the declaration. I saw for myself the severe damage that has been done on my recent trip to Oslo, and I'm confident the President will issue the declaration soon.