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Sen. Klobuchar Showcases Local Efforts to Combat Global Warming with "Carbon Buster" Awards

August 22, 2007

Inside a Bloomington company’s high-performance energy-efficient “green” building, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar this morning presented her first “Carbon Buster Awards of Excellence” to showcase local efforts to combat global warming and climate change.

“Global warming presents us with a world of dangers and risks,” said Klobuchar.  “But I believe it gives us a universe of opportunities, too.  That includes the opportunity for all of us to do something about it.”

Klobuchar said she started the Carbon Busters Awards program to showcase some of the best efforts by Minnesotans to do something positive in response to global warming.

“I’m an optimist,” said Klobuchar.  “We’re in a state that has given the world the pacemaker and the Post-it Note.  I believe in the power and promise of science, technology and innovation when we need to solve a problem.  I believe in the intelligence and the ingenuity of the American people when we’re confronted with a challenge.  We have plenty of that intelligence and ingenuity right here in Minnesota.”

This morning, Klobuchar presented Carbon Buster Awards to:

- QBP (Quality Bicycle Products).  This Bloomington-based company, which hosted the awards event, employs nearly 400 people and is the country’s largest distributor of bicycle parts and accessories.

QBP received Senator Klobuchar’s 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. 

The 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” said Klobuchar.  “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 (CEE).  This Minnesota nonprofit organization works to promote the responsible and efficient use of natural and economic resources. 

CEE received Senator Klobuchar’s Carbon Buster Award for its sponsorship of 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.

“If every American home replaced just one traditional light bulb with a Compact Fluorescent Bulb,” Klobuchar noted, “the energy savings would be enough to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and it would prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to nearly 800,000 cars.”

Also this morning, Klobuchar announced a new “Carbon Buster” competition specifically for schools and students to create projects that highlight a carbon-reducing activity or the importance of taking action on global warming.

In her first year as Senator, Klobuchar is already a national leader on the issue of global climate change.  She serves on three Senate committees directly involved with the issue:  Environment and Public Works, Agriculture and Commerce.


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