Senator Amy Klobuchar

Working for the People of Minnesota

Senator Klobuchar’s
Carbon Buster Awards of Excellence

In Minnesota, we are optimists. We believe in the promise of science, technology and innovation when we need to solve a problem. After all, we have given the world the pacemaker and the Post-It Note.

Minnesotans also believe in the power of education. We believe that we can build a better world when we nurture the intelligence and imagination of our young people.

We are going to need it all as we confront the challenge of global climate change.

Every day, Congress makes decisions that have a great impact on the American people and people throughout the world.  But our decisions on global warming may well be the ones that have the most profound impact on our future generations and on the very fate of the earth

Addressing global climate change is a key priority for me in the Senate. I serve on three Senate committees directly involved with the issue:  Environment, Agriculture and Commerce. In 2007 I visited Greenland as part of a bipartisan Environment Committee delegation to observe firsthand the dramatic effects of climate change evident there.

Climate change is a real problem. But it also has real solutions. I believe we have the power, as individuals and working together, to take serious action to reduce the threats posed by climate change.

That’s why I have established the Carbon Buster Awards program – to put the spotlight on some of the best efforts by Minnesotans to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas pollution and combat global warming.

So far, we have announced K-12 student Carbon Busters and organizational Carbon Busters (a company and a nonprofit organization). Learn more about their efforts below.

K-12 Student Carbon Buster Award Winners, 2007-2008

At a ceremony and reception in March 2008, I was joined by renowned Arctic explorer Will Steger in presenting my “Carbon Buster Awards of Excellence” to Minnesota K-12 students who have made special efforts to raise public awareness to combat global climate change.

Will Steger and I presented Carbon Buster Awards for the top entries in four categories:

Essay for grades K-6

Brandon Cramer, 5th grade, Twin Lakes Elementary School, Elk River. Read his essay here.

Rachel Ann Lawrence, 3rd grade, Northrop Urban Environmental School, Minneapolis. Read her essay here.

Multimedia project for grades K-6

Ryan Rysavy’s 4th grade class, Baxter Elementary School, Baxter. View the video here.

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Essay for grades 7-12

Brian Rodysill, 12th grade, Mayo High School, Rochester. Read his essay here.

Multimedia project for grades 7-12

Stephanie Erickson’s 8th grade class, Washington Technology Magnet Middle School, St. Paul. View the video here.

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The next Carbon Buster program for K-12 students will be fall 2008.  Look for details at the start of the new school year or for more information call my office by clicking here.

Organizational Carbon Buster Award Winners, 2007

In August 2007, I had the honor of presenting my “Carbon Buster Awards of Excellence” to a Minnesota-based company and a Minnesota nonprofit organization for their efforts to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas pollution that is a cause of global climate change.

QBP

A company headquartered in Bloomington, QBP (Quality Bicycle Products) was awarded a Carbon Buster Award for the construction of its new high-efficiency 135,000-square-foot distribution center. The building recently received a Gold rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) from the U.S. Green Building Council.

QBP’s building features innovative wastewater technologies, high-efficiency appliances and a design capitalizing on natural light. It is also outfitted with a 40-kilowatt solar panel array, which is the largest in the Upper Midwest.

QBP's new building proves it is possible to improve energy efficiency, help protect the environment and create a better work setting for employees, while also saving money. As a successful private business, QBP made a bottom-line decision to invest in technology that will ultimately increase its profitability. The company sets a great example for what is possible for other businesses - and for all of us!

Center for Energy and Environment

The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) received a Carbon Buster Award for the work this Minnesota nonprofit organization does to promote the responsible and efficient use of natural and economic resources.

One of the ways CEE has taken an active role is by sponsoring the "Minnesota Energy Challenge," an effort to empower Minnesotans to take simple steps to reduce their energy use and carbon dioxide emissions.

Individuals can go to the Energy Challenge website (www.mnenergychallenge.org); calculate their current energy use and carbon output; and then pledge to take simple energy-saving actions that, in many cases, also save money. The Energy Challenge is also available to businesses, local governments, schools, churches and others.

Senator Klobuchar’s Offices

302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Main Line: 202-224-3244
Main Fax: 202-228-2186
Toll Free: 1-888-224-9043

1200 Washington Avenue South, Suite 250
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Main Line: 612-727-5220
Main Fax: 612-727-5223
Toll Free: 1-888-224-9043

1134 7th Street NW
Rochester, MN 55901
Main Line: 507-288-5321
Fax: 507-288-2922

121 4th Street South
Moorhead, MN 56560
Main Line: 218-287-2219
Fax: 218-287-2930

Olcott Plaza, Suite 105
820 9th Street North
Virginia, MN 55792
Main Line: 218-741-9690
Fax: 218-741-3692