While traveling through southwest Minnesota, Sen. Franken visited Willmar to meet with constituents.  As the West Central Tribune reports, renewable energy and innovative new practices were a key priority.

Steve Nelson, from Environmental Well & Septic, explained the environmental and benefits of geo-thermal heating and cooling but said non-profit entities, like churches, need a financial mechanism to help pay for the more expensive up-front costs of installing the systems.

Franken said he wished banks would finance geo-thermal and the loans could be paid for with savings from reduced electrical costs from using geo-thermal.

It was clear Franken was familiar with much of the technology discussed. He was also quick to pin down questions on complicated processes, like using electrolysis to produce ammonia, which is being studied by Stan Simon, who owns an engineering company in Kerkhoven.

The article can be read in its entirety on the West Central Tribune website.