Green Party Candidate
for Mayor of St. Paul
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Green Party Candidate |
For Immediate Release August 26, 2005
Dickinson Welcomes Coleman to Green Ranks St. Paul, MN – Friday, August 26, 2005 – Elizabeth Dickinson is responding warmly to Chris Coleman's Thursday unveiling of his campaign's environmental goals and strategies, which are largely energy-based. When contacted by a reporter last night for comment, she said, "Imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery." She added that she's been feeling lonely being the only St. Paul mayoral candidate to address environmental concerns. Dickinson is well-regarded locally for her leading role in pressing successfully for Xcel's cleaner repowering of two in-city metro generating stations from coal to natural gas, and the installation of state-of-the-art pollution controls on the much larger A.S. King plant near Stillwater — a "baseload" plant that runs year-round. Over a week ago, Dickinson laid out an extensive energy-and-budget plan for renegotiating Xcel's franchise with the city, saying St. Paul should ask the company to provide 25% of the city's power from clean sources like wind — a change that would make the city a national leader in clean power — and should also raise Xcel's franchise fees, but in a way that would both protect low-income customers and encourage energy conservation. She cited examples of other cities that have arranged for energy providers to take over responsibility for street lighting, build parks, and enter into Community Benefit Agreements. She also called for establishment of the position of city Sustainability Programs Director. Coleman's Thursday announcement echoed this proposal right down to the title; the new position he describes would be called "Sustainability Coordinator." Other Coleman recommendations like "Green Purchasing Guidelines" — which lean heavily to energy efficiency — also seem a tribute to Dickinson's vision. Her previously-announced scheme made much of promoting energy efficiency in city buildings, and went further in suggesting advanced building design standards. Coleman says he'll sign on to the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement; Dickinson had pointedly said that mayors were leading the way on energy and climate issues. Dickinson observed that Coleman made no mention, in a published summary of his record on environmental matters, of his early support for the failed Gopher State Ethanol facility whose noise and emissions bedeviled the West 7th neighborhood for several years. But she says she's happy to see any serious dialogue on environment and energy matters. She adds, tongue perhaps not entirely in cheek, that she is looking forward to Coleman's strong support for her environmental program when she takes on Randy Kelly in the November general election. Contact Elizabeth Dickinson, (651) 235-1208 (cell) Mary Petrie, Campaign Manager, (651) 226-3527 (cell) Christopher Childs, Communications Coordinator, (651) 312-1216 Elizabeth Dickinson for Mayor 384 Hall Avenue St. Paul, MN 55107
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