Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Federal Funding for Solar Energy for Tribal Communities and Low-Income Households
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced two grants that will expand residential solar projects in Minnesota. The first grant will help increase solar adoption in lower-income communities who are often excluded from clean energy projects. The second award will help build solar energy capacity for Minnesota Tribal communities. These “Solar for All” grants are made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which both Klobuchar and Smith helped get passed into law. “When it comes to clean energy, I’ve always said we can either lead or follow. I think Minnesota should lead, and that’s exactly what these grants will enable us to do,” said Senator Tina Smith. “These grants will make solar power to accessible Minnesota communities who have traditionally been excluded from the energy transition, bringing them an energy source that is both clean and affordable.” Minnesota will benefit from two Solar for All grants. The Minnesota Department of Commerce will use their $62,450,000 funding to deliver financial support and technical assistance to low-income areas and communities historically left behind in the clean energy transition across Minnesota. The Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association, in conjunction with their partners GRID Alternatives, the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, and the Native CDFI Network, will use their $62,330,000 to deploy Tribally-owned residential solar, along with storage and necessary upgrades, for the benefit of the 35 Tribes located in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. ###
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Clean Energy Projects for Minnesota Farms and Small Businesses
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced grants for 70 farms and small businesses across rural and Greater Minnesota to install clean energy technology on their farms. This round of funding for Minnesota totals nearly $8 million. This initiative is possible through the Renewable Energy for America (REAP) program, which Senator Smith championed and strengthened in the Inflation Reduction Act. “The clean energy transition is happening, and I want us to lead it,” said Senator Smith. “As we make the switch to cleaner, cheaper energy, we need to make sure everyone benefits. That’s why programs like REAP, which helps rural communities install renewable energy systems, are so important. These investments will save farms and small businesses all across the state thousands of dollars a year in energy costs while helping reduce harmful emissions.” Projects included can be found in the table below. The funding is specifically set aside for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agriculture currently accounts for roughly one-quarter of Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emissions. Senator Smith continues to prioritize improvements to REAP, promote underutilized technologies, and help more farmers access the program. Senator Smith introduced the bipartisan, bicameral REAP Modernization Act which would increase the cost share for REAP grants, raise certain grant limits, and improve the accessibility of the program to farmers and small businesses. Toplines Total Investment: $7,875,510 Total in Energy Savings (kWh/Year): 5,975,000 Total in Energy Savings ($/Year): $692,900 Farm/
U.S. Senators Tina Smith & Mike Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Health Care Providers Continue Delivering Telehealth Services to Rural America
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/1/20]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced bipartisan legislation to help health care providers continue delivering telehealth services to rural communities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The COVID-19 Telehealth Program Extension Act would provide an additional $200 million for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which ran out of funding in July. A bipartisan House companion bill has been introduced by U.S. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.). The FCC established the COVID-19 Telehealth Program in April to help health care providers acquire telehealth technology to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Such infrastructure included telehealth platforms, wireless access points for patients, tablets
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Legislation to Help Students Access Mental Health Services in Schools Passes the House
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/1/20]–U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said that her legislation to make sure students in schools across the nation are able to access mental health services passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. This gets her bill over a major hurdle on its way to becoming law. Sen. Smith’s bill—the Mental Health Services for Students Act—would help schools partner with local mental health providers to establish on-site, mental health services for students. It would also provide training for school personnel on how to recognize, assist and refer students who may need mental health assistance. Sen. Smith says that young people
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Legislation to Stop Surprise Medical Bills for COVID-19 Tests
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/30/20]—Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said far too many people are being forced by their insurance companies to pay for coronavirus (COVID-19) tests that should be free. On Wednesday, Sen. Smith introduced her Stop COVID-19 Test Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020 to protect Americans from unanticipated COVID-19 test charges. The measure clarifies that insurers cannot refuse to cover medically necessary tests, directs federal health officials to help ensure providers and insurers understand how to submit claims to protect patients from surprise bills, and strengthens price transparency requirements. A House companion was introduced by U.S. Representative Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07). Right now, Senator Smith’s Free COVID-19 Testing Act—enacted into law as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on March 18—requires public health insurance
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on President Trump’s Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett for U.S. Supreme Court
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/26/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced his nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. “Americans need Supreme Court Justices who will protect the rights of all Americans, and deliver equal justice for all. Judge Barrett’s record opposing the Affordable Care Act and reproductive rights for women shows that she is not qualified to safeguard our constitutional rights and liberties as a member of our nation’s highest court. It is for those reasons that I will oppose the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.”
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