Editorials
Our View: Region should remain an ecology leader
A lot of energy is going into green these days.
At least it’s the renewable kind of energy that comes from a good night’s sleep and the aid of teamwork and solid planning.
The green movement has sprouted here in a variety of ways and today’s Progress 2009 special section, which begins on Page C1, gives a sampling of how the area is involved.
One of the biggest recent green projects is the opening of the Blue Earth County Justice Center on Mankato’s hilltop. The building is expected to receive LEED certification, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The certification will make it the greenest public building in south-central Minnesota. The center is made from numerous recyclable materials and uses geothermal wells to heat the building through 48 miles of tubing.
Minnesota State University’s new Trafton Science Center also took the green route when it comes to key features, including an energy-efficient heating system expected to save more than $180,000 annually.
Other measures may not be as bold as building a green structure from scratch, but area cities, counties, schools and colleges are switching to more efficient light bulbs, insulating windows, reducing water usage, using more efficient transportation, and planning more natural outdoor spaces.
In Lake Crystal, the School Board and city are hosting a green energy forum Tuesday, hoping a collaborative effort can make renewable energy a feasible investment. In Mankato the city has been awarded $167,000 in stimulus money to make its buildings more energy efficient.
Some of these these green tactics can be adapted by individuals as well. If everyone makes improvements, from weatherization to transportation choices, it will have a big cumulative effect when it comes to energy conservation.
Private businesses are getting on board, too. Mankato Place, the downtown entertainment and office complex, installed a solar-collection system that reduced electricity consumption by about 6 percent.
Rasmussen College in Mankato will host its first Sustainability Conference April 23, which will focus on environmental and energy efficient trends for small businesses.
The green movement is going to keep growing as the state and federal government focus on building up a new industry that makes environment a priority and takes steps toward reducing carbon emissions. This region is a green leader, an important position to be in for the future.
- Editorials
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Our View: Health care a challenge for GOP
The Issue
President Obama has invited Republican leaders to meet with him on health care.
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Our View: Leave old education law behind
The Issue
No Child Left Behind will likely be revamped this year if the Obama administration has its way. -
Our View: Civic center expansion worth the investment
Mankato leaders have requested state bonding to expand and improve the Verizon Wireless Center.
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Our View: Caucus-goers key element of democracy
Thumbs up: To everyone who attended caucuses on Tuesday.
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Our View: Health care costs keep rising
The Issue: The federal government’s share of the total health care bill continues to expand.
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Our View: Mammoth jobs await Legislature
The Issue: State budget deficit, election reform, mental health -
Our View: Honesty required in state budget debate
Minnesotans shopping for a new governor ready to make sufficient changes to fix the state’s gigantic budget shortfall are going to be disappointed.
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Our View: State needs to rethink higher ed
Higher education expects funding cuts at the coming legislative session.
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Our View: Caucuses are political party time
The Issue: Minnesota's precinct caucuses are Tuesday night.
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Our View: Technology can widen democracy
The Issue: Voters feel left out of the debate, decisions and without influence
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