Rep. Kline calls for increase in domestic energy supplies

Rep. John Kline, R-Minn.
U.S. Rep. John Kline, Republican in the 2nd Congressional District
MPR File Photo/Tom Scheck

Minnesota 2nd District Republican Congressman John Kline is calling for the United States to increase its domestic energy supply.

Rep. Kline spent the day touring power plants in his district, which includes the suburbs and rural areas to the south of the Twin Cities.

Speaking with reporters in front of the Prairie Island nuclear plant, Kline said the U.S. needs a multi-pronged approach to meeting its energy needs.

"We're going to be driving cars like you see here, and flying airplanes that need oil. And so we ought to be developing those resources as well," Kline said. "It's not just oil. It's not just natural gas. It's not just nuclear power. It's not just wind. It's not just hydro electric. We should be developing them all."

Kline supports drilling for oil off the U.S. coast and in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. He also says Americans need to do more to conserve energy. Kline is up for re-election this year.

His DFL opponent is former Watertown mayor Steve Sarvi. Sarvi's campaign issued a statement criticizing Kline for taking campaign contributions from the oil industry.

Kline also made stops at the Pine Bend Oil refinery and at Carleton College, which installed an on-campus wind turbine four years ago.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.