Latest Releases
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. ###
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, Representative Pete Stauber Announce Grant to Provide High-Speed Internet in Pine County
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) and Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN08) announced a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide high-speed, reliable internet to 38 businesses and 147 farms in Pine County. Over 1,000 people in socially vulnerable communities will have direct access to the internet with modern fiber optics running right to their front door. “We should be able to bring high-speed internet to every family in Minnesota— regardless of their zip code,” said Klobuchar. “This funding builds on broadband upgrades going on across our state including Pine County. As co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, I’ll keep working across the aisle to make sure all Minnesotans can reliably access the high-speed internet they need.” “Internet access is not just a luxury in the 21st century, it’s a necessity,” saidSenator Smith. “In Minnesota and across the country, people in rural areas, small towns, and Tribal communities need access to reliable, high-speed internet. Investing in broadband infrastructure with the ReConnect Grant Program will help connect communities in every part of the country to high-speed internet and strengthen communities from the ground up.” Too many rural communities across Minnesota still do not have access to high-speed internet and have been left behind in today’s technology-driven economy. As the Representative of a largely rural area, I am proud to help deliver federal funding to ensure the residents, businesses, and farmers of Pine County have the broadband infrastructure necessary to compete and thrive, ” said Representative Stauber. The investment comes from USDA
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Sees Historic, Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Signed into Law Monday at the White House
WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/15/21]— Today at the White House U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) watched President Biden sign the historic, bipartisan infrastructure bill into law, saying the measure will deliver billions of dollars in long-overdue investments to Minnesota’s roads, bridges, broadband, water infrastructure and other areas of need. Sen. Smith, who helped push the bill through Congress, said the new law will jumpstart the economy and create jobs and economic development in rural, urban and suburban communities across Minnesota and around the nation. She said the new law shows Congress can get important things done in a bipartisan way. “Getting this
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith, Sherrod Brown, Jack Reed Seek Answers on Zillow’s Sale of Thousands of Homes to Private Equity Investors
MINNESOTA [11/10/21]— U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), chair of a key Senate housing subcommittee, and Senate Banking Committee Chair Sherrod Brown (D-OH), are raising concerns about real estate powerhouse Zillow’s reported plans to sell a large portfolio of single-family homes to institutional investors who could turn those properties into rental homes. The move could leave local homebuyers without affordable options, and renters with poorly managed properties. The two Senators were joined by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a senior Member of the Banking Committee, on a letter Monday to Zillow Chief Executive Officer Rich Barton. In the letter, the Senators questioned Zillow’s
U.S. Senator Tina Smith: With Infrastructure Bill Set to Become Law, “Build Back Better” Budget Now Top Priority
WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/08/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said the historic, bipartisan infrastructure package – which has passed both the Senate and the House – will be signed into law soon, delivering billions of dollars in long-overdue investments to Minnesota’s roads, bridges, broadband, water infrastructure and other needed upgrades. Sen. Smith said the new law will jumpstart the economy and create jobs and economic development in rural, urban and suburban communities across the state. But as the Infrastructure bill delivers upgrades across the state, she said she will continue to press to enact the “Build Back Better” Budget that lowers taxes
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, John Boozman Push New Measure to Improve Mental Health Services for Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/04/21]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) continued their push to ensure that veterans across the country – especially those in underserved areas – get the mental health services they need. On Thursday, the Senators introduced their bipartisan “Vet Center Support Act,” which would provide better identification, intervention, and effective care to veterans struggling with mental health issues in underserved areas. The measure also removes barriers preventing the construction of Vet Centers. The bipartisan legislation is also supported by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Tim Kaine (D-VA). Representative Dean Phillips (D-MN2) introduced
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