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DM&E Denied $2.5 Billion Taxpayer Backed Loan

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[quote user="wallyworld"] Here's one I forgot..well oiled agitprop piece.<a href="http://www.protectrochester.com/video.html">http://www.protectrochester.com/video.html</a>According to foes of the DM&E, the Powder River basin should be capped."Using vast amounts of diesel fuel to move soft coal to burn for electricity will significantly increase pollution along the railroad line as well as in the areas where the intended (and out of date) coal plants are located. The 30% moisture content of the coal means in effect that 30 of those 100 coal cars are hauling water. It would be far better to invest taxpayer dollars in research and development of renewable fuel and energy...." Editorial by former Minnesota Legislator in Opposition To Loan[/quote]I think the above reveals the true heart and soul of the Rochester opposition Arguably, Minnesota is the most liberal state in the union, spiritually if not politically.  In Minnesota, even Republicans are liberal, so naturally the state is tripping over itself to become the vanguard of "green," and nothing could be less green than a coal train.  I have not heard an explanation of why the loan was denied, but it remains to be seen if the Rochester opposition had an influence in the loan denial.  It also remains to be seen if other financing can bring the project forward.  And if it does, it remains to be seen if somehow Rochester can defeat it.  Like others have suggested, I don't think the Rochester opposition has anything to do with train noise, dust, vibrations, etc.  I suspect that is a red herring for a deeper objection, based on leftist, environmental, religious-like ideology that goes to philosophical objections about too much consumption, the so-called throwaway society, and how these sins are being especially enabled by the rich and their capitalistic system.  I think this feeling is exemplified in Mr. Walz's letter where he prefers soybean trains to coal trains, but cannot explain why in rational terms.  The only difference is the cargo.  While "follow the money" has traditionally been a reliable principle to explain otherwise unexplainable political decisions, in Minnesota it is rivaled by "follow the political correctness."
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