Bill to Loosen Coal Power Restrictions Vetoed By Dayton

ST. PAUL (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton has vetoed legislation that would have allowed more coal power in Minnesota.

Dayton, a Democrat, rejected the bill on Friday, saying it was "unwise and unnecessary."

He says it goes against Minnesota's path toward a "sustainable, clean and safe energy future."

Republican Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch says Dayton's veto compounds the state's economic problems and discourages companies from hiring people in the state.

The bill would have allowed up to 1,500 megawatts of new coal power in the state by loosening restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions from coal production. It would have undone part of a 2007 renewable energy law hailed as groundbreaking at the time.

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