Renewable energy advocates applaud the recent boom in North Dakota wind farms, but called on leaders to do more to make the state competitive.
But a Republican legislative leader said government's role is primarily to help remove obstacles - not to pile on subsidies or to impose mandates - so the private sector can build wind farms or ethanol plants.
"In my opinion, money's available if its going to have an impact," Rep. Rick Berg, R-Fargo, the House majority leader, said of state support for energy initiatives. Money alone, he added, "is not the solution."
Rep. Scot Kelsh, D-Fargo, the House minority leader, urged the state to provide major seed money so farmers and other groups can launch projects.
"I think the most significant thing we can do to encourage renewable energy is to fund it in a robust way," he said.
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The two clashed in a friendly exchange during a panel discussion Tuesday at a conference in Fargo on developing renewable energy in North Dakota.
Kelsh backed failed efforts in the 2005 Legislature to provide seed funding of up to $13 million for renewable energy projects. Neighboring Montana has a $10 million fund and Minnesota has a $111 million fund to boost renewables, he said.
So far, major wind development in North Dakota has been done by large corporations that draw many of the revenues out of the state, Kelsh said.
Dale Niezwaag, a lobbyist for Basin Electric Power Cooperative based in Bismarck, said the co-op has pledged that 10 percent of its generating capacity will come from renewable sources by 2017.
Today the level is 5 percent, with 158.5 megawatts of wind power expected by the end of 2006, growing to 206 megawatts by 2010, Niezwaag said. He praised the reduction in the wind energy property tax, from 3 percent to 1½ percent, the new transmission authority and a program to track renewable energy credits.
Mark Nisbet, Xcel Energy's top manager in North Dakota, said government should maintain consistent energy policies that help keep rates predictable and affordable.
Xcel will purchase wind power from turbines being built near Velva, N.D., in a 12 megawatt project. Wind generation has risen significantly at Xcel, to 1,150 megawatts this year, up from 348 in 2000.
Roger Johnson, North Dakota's agriculture commissioner, paraphrased humorist Will Rogers, who once said it's possible to be overtaken even if on the right track.
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"I think we need to be aggressive and forward-thinking," he said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Patrick Springer at (701) 241-5522
