Will Pawlenty protect Minnesota's water?

According to the West Central Tribune, "The Minnesota River Board is repeating its plea to Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Gov. Mike Rounds of South Dakota to reconvene the Boundary Waters Commission. Members of the joint powers board want Minnesota to have a say in the water appropriation requested for the Big Stone II coal-fired power plant."

Will Pawlenty back the request? After all, the lake in question is shared by Minnesota and South Dakota, so it just seems fair that Minnesota should get to have a say in its water levels.

It's hard to say what Pawlenty will do. He talks a lot about caring for the environment, but many people in Minnesota's conservation community wonder if he is willing to back up his words if it means conflict with powerful business interests.

For example, last week Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency protesting the EPA's refusal to let California set greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars that are stricter than the federal standard. Thirteen governors co-signed the letter.

Pawlenty did not sign, even though Minnesota has joined California's lawsuit against the EPA. Even though he has made a radio ad where he criticizes Congress for not taking enough action on global climate change.

So is Tim Pawlenty really green? Or just green when it doesn't require courage?

Photo: Students brave the cold in Ortonville, MN at this month's Minnesota Public Utilities Commission hearing regarding transmission lines for the proposed Big Stone II coal facility.