August 2008
Wind Energy
Legislatures in twenty five states require power companies to produce part of their state’s power from renewable energy resources. The move to alternative energy sources is motivated by a number of factors--environmental concerns, increased energy costs, and as a way to increase reliance on domestic resources.
Wind power is quickly becoming a key component of the energy mix in many states. Although wind power supplies less than one percent of the total electricity generated in the U.S.--it is thirty percent of the electricity generation capacity added in the U.S in 2007 according to the American Wind Energy Association.
Minnesota is one of the top wind energy producers in the country and has ambitious plans for the future--the state has mandated power companies to generate 25 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2025. Wind energy will be an important factor in achieving that goal. The U.S Department of Energy is also considering wind energy an important piece of their future energy mix--a 2008 report explored the possibility of wind providing twenty percent of U.S. electricity by 2030.
Although wind energy is growing rapidly as an alternative energy source, challenges remain before twenty percent of electricity is generated by wind. Federal tax credits spurring its development are set to expire at the end of the year, the development of a stronger transmission grid to carry the generated power from the sparsely populated areas to the population centers is crucial, and environmental concerns remain.
Call or email the Library if you are interested in further information or would like to check out these recent reports:
20% Wind Power by 2030: Increasing Wind Energy’s Contribution to U.S. Electricity Supply. Washington D.C.: U.S. Department of Energy, 2008. http://www.20percentwind.org/20percent_wind_energy_report_05-11-08_wk.pdf
Environmental Impacts of Wind-Energy Projects. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press, c2007. (TD195 .W54 N38 2007) http://www.nap.edu/books/0309108349/html/index.html
Report to the Legislature: On Wind Curtailment Payments under Minnesota Statutes §216b.1681, St. Paul: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, 2008. http://www.puc.state.mn.us/docs/rpt_to_legis_july2008.pdf
Tiffany, Douglas G. Wind Development in Minnesota: Policy and Economics. St. Paul: Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota, 2007. http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/7303/2/p07-07.pdf
Wind Power in the United States: Technology, Economic and Policy Issues. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Research Service, 2008. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL34546.pdf
New & Notable Books and Reports
Many of the items listed below are available electronically. If so, we have provided a
link to the document. However, some of the documents may be very long. You can request to
borrow our print copy of any of the items by selecting the check-box and clicking on the
"Request Items" button.
Induced Abortions in Minnesota: Report to the Legislature. Minn. Dept. of Health. July 2008. HQ767.5.U6 R45 2007. Minn. Publication 08-0564.
Mandated by: 2003 Minn. Laws Chap. 14 Art. 1 Sec. 7 Subd. 6 (Minn. Stat. 145.4246)http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/abrpt/2007abrpt.pdf
Mandated by: 1998 Minn. Laws Chap. 407 Art. 10 Sec. 5 (Minn. Stat. 145.4134)http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/abrpt/2007abrpt.pdf
Potential Hazards Posed by Plants to Retail Consumers and Livestock. Minn. Dept. of Agriculture. May 2008. SB617.45.M6 C44 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0525.
Mandated by: 2007 Minn. Laws Chap. 45 Art. 1 Sec. 61https://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/publications/news/legrpt-planthazards.pdf
Annual Report of the National Credit Union Administration. National Credit Union Administration. 2008. Ref HG2037.U55b 2007.
This reference book is available for use in the Library or it may be checked out for a short period of time.
Directory of Minnesota Business & Professional Associations. James J. Hill Reference Library. May 16, 2008. Ref HD2428.M6 D5 2008.
This reference book is available for use in the Library or it may be checked out for a short period of time.
County Responsibility in Civil Commitment Referrals: Filing Petitions for Civil Commitment as Sexually Dangerous Persons/Sexually Psychopathic Personality (SDP/SPP) in 120 Days After Initial…. Minn. Dept. of Human Services. February 2008. KFM5967.S3 C68 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0515.
Mandated by: 2007 Minn. Laws Chap. 147 Art. 8 Sec. 14 (Minn. Stat. 253B.185)http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080515.pdf
Minnesota Crime Information. Minn. Dept. of Public Safety. July 1, 2008. Ref HV7273 .A253 2007. Minn. Publication 08-0589.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 299C.18http://www.dps.state.mn.us/bca/cjis/documents/crime2007/mci2007.pdf
This reference book is available for use in the Library or it may be checked out for a short period of time.
Probation Survey. Minn. Dept. of Corrections. April 2008. HV9278 .P76 2007. Minn. Publication 08-0573.
Twin Cities Region Population and Household Estimates. Metropolitan Council. HA730 .T9 T85 2007. Minn. Publication 08-0585.
Evaluation Report: Charter Schools. Office of the Legislative Auditor. June 2008. LB2806.36.C42 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0562.
Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy : findings report from MDE staff site visits, April 24 and May 2, 2008.. Minn. Dept. of Education. May 19, 2008. LB2806.36 .T37 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0518.
Best Practices Review: Reducing Energy Costs in Local Government. Office of the State Auditor. July 2, 2008. TJ163.4.U6 B47 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0563.
Dispersed Renewable Generation Transmission Study. Minn. Dept. of Commerce. June 16, 2008. TK1006 .D57 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0547.
Mandated by: 2007 Minn. Laws Chap. 136 Art. 4 Sec. 17 Subd. 3http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?subchannel=-536881736&programid=536916477&sc3=null&sc2=-536887792&id=-536881351&agency=Commerce
Potential For and Barriers To State Jurisdiction Over Interconnecting Dispersed Generation Projects. Minn. Office of Energy Security. June 6, 2008. TK3001 .P68 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0540.
Mandated by: 2007 Minn. Laws Chap. 136 Art. 4 Sec. 21http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080540.pdf
Propane Prepurchase Program (PreBuy) Report. Minn. Dept. of Commerce. June 24, 2008. KFM5751.E53 P76 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0557.
Mandated by: 2007 Minn. Laws Chap. 57 Art. 2 Sec. 12 (Minn. Stat. 216B.0951)http://www.state.mn.us/mn/externalDocs/Commerce/Propane_Prebuy_Program_Report_062708011030_PropanePreBuy.pdf
Assessment of Chemical Contamination of Flooded Wells in Southeast Minnesota: Flooded Well Testing Project Report. Minn. Dept. of Health. June 20, 2008. TD407 .A77 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0552.
Beaver Damage Control Grant. Minn. Board of Water & Soil Resources. March 2008. SF405.B4 B48 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0505.
Mandated by: 2005 Minn. Laws 1st Spl. Sess. Chap. 1 Art. 2 Sec. 120 Subd. 4 (Minn. Stat. 103F.950)http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080505.pdf
Impacts of a New London Dam Failure. Minn. Dept. of Natural Resources. April 2008. TC557.M62 N49 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0527.
Minnesota Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan: Final Plan - Phase II (Draft). Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. June 30, 2008. GE185.M6 M562 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0565.
Performance Review and Assistance Program. Minn. Board of Water & Soil Resources. February 2008. GB991.M6 P47 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0507.
Mandated by: 2007 Minn. Laws Chap. 57 Art. 1 Sec. 104 (Minn. Stat. 103B.102 Subd. 3)http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/PRAP/PRAPreport2008.pdf
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Transportation Sources in Minnesota. Center for Transportation Studies. June 2008. TD885.5.G73 R434 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0588.
Mandated by: 2007 Minn. Laws Chap. 144 Art. 1 Sec. 5http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/pdfdownload.pl?id=936
Mandated by: 2007 Minn. Laws Chap. 144 Art. 1 Sec. 5http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/pdfdownload.pl?id=936
Soil and Water Conservation District Guidebook 2008. Minn. Board of Water and Soil Resources. S624.M6 S65 2008/2009. Minn. Publication 08-0508.
Length at Age Estimates of Black Crappie and White Crappie Among Lake Classes, Reservoirs, Impoundments, and Rivers in Minnesota. Minn. Dept. of Natural Resources. May 2008. SH328 .I58 no. 551. Minn. Publication 08-0539.
Annual Report, Minnesota State Fair. Minn. State Agricultural Society. 2008. S77.A2 2007. Minn. Publication 08-0578.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 37.06http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080578.pdf
Assessment of Allegations Concerning the Attorney General's Office. Office of the Legislative Auditor. June 3, 2008. KFM5827.5.A8 N63 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0543.
Department of Human Rights Case Management Summary Report. Minn. Dept. of Human Rights. JC599.U62 M57 2008 Jan. - June. Minn. Publication 08-0571.
Mandated by: 1997 Minn. Laws Chap. 239 Art. 1 Sec. 15 Subd. 1http://www.humanrights.state.mn.us/about_leg_reports.html
Financial Audit Division Report: Department of Employee Relations Internal Control and Compliance. Office of the Legislative Auditor. May 22, 2008. HJ9865 .A27 no. 08-15. Minn. Publication 08-0516.
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Metropolitan Council. June 2008. HT394.T9 M47dx 2007. Minn. Publication 08-0572.
Financial Audit Division Report: State Agricultural Society. Office of the Legislative Auditor. June 13, 2008. HJ9865 .A27 no. 08-16. Minn. Publication 08-0538.
Minnesota City Finances: Revenues, Expenditures, and Debt. Office of the State Auditor. July 11, 2008. Ref HJ9777.M6 R484 2006. Minn. Publication 08-0579.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 6.75http://www.auditor.state.mn.us/reports/gid/2006/ciRed/ciRed_06_report.pdf
This reference book is available for use in the Library or it may be checked out for a short period of time.
Center for Health Care Purchasing Improvement (CHCPI) Annual Report. Minn. Dept. of Health. May 2008. RA410.54.M6 M562 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0514.
Mandated by: 2006 Minn. Laws Chap. 282 Art. 14 Sec. 10 Subd. 3 (Minn. Stat. 62J.63 Subd. 3 (formerly 43A.312))http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpsc/chcpi/legrpt2008.pdf
Critical Access Dental Program - Results and Recommendations. Minn. Dept. of Human Services. May 2008. RK523.M6 C75 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0545.
Mandated by: 2006 Minn. Laws Chap. 282 Art. 22 Sec. 2 Subd. 2http://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Legacy/DHS-5483-ENG
Victory Memorial Drive Task Force Biennial Report. Minn. Historical Society. May 12, 2008. F614.M6 V53 2006/2007. Minn. Publication 08-0501.
Mandated by: 2006 Minn. Laws Chap. 218 Sec. 4http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080501.pdf
Agreement Between the Minnesota Law Enforcement Association and the State of Minnesota. Minn. Dept. of Employee Relations. HD8005.6.U53 M63a 2007/2009. Minn. Publication 08-0536.
Career eFolio Minnesota Project Report. Minn. State Colleges and Universities. June 11, 2008. HF5383 .C37 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0535.
Mandated by: 2007 Minn. Laws Chap. 144 Art. 1 Sec. 4http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080535.pdf
Shepard, Mark. Reports Mandated by the 2008 Legislature. House Research. June 2008. H62 .M55x 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0549.
Fairmont Fire Department Relief Association Actuarial Valuation. Fairmont Fire Department Relief Association. June 27, 2008. HD7116.F52 F35 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0567.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 69.77 Subd. 10http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080567.pdf
Minneapolis Police Relief Association Special Fund Actuarial Valuation. Minneapolis Police Relief Association. April 2008. HV8148.M52 M55ax 2007. Minn. Publication 08-0429.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 69.77 Subd. 10http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080429.pdf
Methamphetamine in Minnesota: A Report on the Impact of One Illicit Drug. Minn. Dept. of Health. July 2008. HV5831.M6 M48 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0575.
Annual Report: Petroleum Taxes in Minnesota. Minn. Dept. of Revenue. HD9579.G5 U55a 2007. Minn. Publication 08-0556.
Citizen Oversight Report on Game & Fish Fund Expenditures. Game and Fish Fund Budgetary Oversight Committee. June 2008. SK411 .G363 2007. Minn. Publication 08-0591.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 97A.055 Subd. 4bhttp://files.dnr.state.mn.us/aboutdnr/gamefishoversight/fy07_boc_rpt.pdf