Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Helps Introduce Legislation to Clean Up Toxins Within Schools
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), a member of the Senate Health and Education Committee, introduced the Get Toxic Substances Out of Schools Act to remove toxic substances from school buildings across the country. The legislation, unveiled on World Children’s Day, comes on the heels of a report from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) that found less than half of public schools in the state were tested for radon between 2018 and 2022. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and occurs more frequently in Minnesota due to the state’s geology. The bill was led by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) in the Senate and Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04) in the House of Representatives. “Schools are places for our kids to learn and grow. Minnesota parents shouldn’t have to worry about whether the classrooms and schools they send their kids to are free from harmful pollution with negative health effects like radon,” said Senator Smith, a member of the Senate Health and Education Committee. “The report by the Minnesota Department of Health on radon in schools is concerning and shows that we need to do more to make sure our kids stay healthy when they’re at school, and this bill would help with that work.” “Safe and healthy learning environments are an essential component of student success,” said Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Willie Jett. “Just as having great teachers can inspire a student to be engaged in learning and prepared for career or college, having clean air to breathe sets them
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Supports Proposed Sustainable Aviation Fuel Facility Near Moorhead, MN
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier this month, U.S. Senator Tina Smith wrote a letter to Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm pushing for the construction of a proposed $5 billion sustainable aviation fuel production facility in Moorhead, Minnesota, by DG Fuels. The new facility would create 650 jobs and contribute more than $205 million per year to the growing economy of the Moorhead area. It would produce nearly 200 million gallons of near-zero carbon aviation fuel annually, and production at the facility would begin in 2030. “The clean energy transition is here, and I want Minnesota to lead it,” said Senator Smith. “The construction of this sustainable aviation fuel facility will not only boost Moorhead’s regional economy and create jobs, but it will establish Minnesota as a global hub for clean, sustainable, homegrown energy.” Senator Smith has long been a vocal proponent of Sustainable Aviation Fuel production in Minnesota. In July, Senator Smith joined colleagues in sending a bipartisan, bicameral letter urging the U.S. Treasury Department to finalize the rules to implement the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, which would help boost production of clean fuels. Senator Smith is a leader on clean energy in the Senate, securing funding for a multitude of clean energy initiatives across the state, continuing to push for national energy security, U.S. leadership in technological and economic development, and lowering energy costs for Minnesotans. Minnesota has also recently created a state tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel production and blending as well as the Minnesota SAF Hub, created by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Economic Development Partnership. The SAF Hub is focused on establishing the world’s first industrial-scale sustainable aviation fuel economy in Minnesota. You can read Senator Smith’s letter here. ###
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Improve Access to Drinking Water in Lafayette
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured $1 million in federal funding through the Fiscal Year 2023 budget to improve access to drinking water in Lafayette. Specifically, these resources will be used to expand the city’s drinking and wastewater services to all residents within the city limits. “By expanding access to drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, this project will help boost the health and safety of so many families in Lafayette,” said Klobuchar. “I am proud to have worked with local leaders to secure this funding, and I know that these resources will
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Boost Manufacturing and Transportation Workforce in Southern Minnesota
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured more than $1.9 million in federal funding through the Fiscal Year 2023 federal budget to boost the manufacturing and transportation workforce in Southern Minnesota. Specifically, these resources will support Riverland Community College’s Workforce Development Learn and Earn scholarship program. This initiative enables students to participate in manufacturing and transportation programs to prepare them for careers as high-skilled technicians. “Our manufacturing and transportation sectors are key to the economic success of communities across Southern Minnesota. By allowing more people to enroll in Riverland Community College’s
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Improve Access to Affordable Child Care in Luverne
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured more than $2.6 million in federal funding through the Fiscal Year 2023 budget to improve access to affordable child care in Luverne. Specifically, the resources will enable the renovation, construction, and furnishing of a new child care facility to serve families in Luverne and surrounding communities. “The struggle to find high-quality, affordable child care is a challenge for far too many parents in Luverne and across our state,” said Klobuchar. “By providing funding to build a new childcare facility, this project will help increase access to affordable
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for Kellogg Bridge Infrastructure Improvements
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured significant federal funding in the Fiscal Year 2023 federal budget to make infrastructure improvements to the Kellogg Bridge in St. Paul. These resources will replace the outdated, 80-year-old eastbound bridge, bolstering multi-modal safety and access. “By enabling the much-needed upgrade of the Kellogg Bridge, this project will help strengthen bridge safety and provide Minnesotans with safer and easier access to downtown St. Paul,” said Klobuchar. “I am proud to have worked with local leaders to push for this funding, and I know that these resources will
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