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Klobuchar Discusses Climate Change, Renewable Fuels on Main Street Tour

2008 Main Street Tour takes Senator to International Falls and Climate Change Forum in Ely

January 3, 2008

Ely, Minnesota – On the third leg of her 2008 Main Street Tour, Senator Amy Klobuchar planned to meet Friday with executives of Boise Cascade in International Falls and to then to discuss climate change and Minnesota’s growing renewable fuels industry with residents in Ely.

“Climate change represents a world of challenges, but also a universe of opportunities,’’ Klobuchar noted, adding that biofuels research and production is becoming a growth industry in Minnesota.

Klobuchar will appear Friday at a Climate Change Forum in Ely with explorer Will Steger and Governor Tim Pawlenty. The forum will run from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Vermilion Community College.

Last month the United States Senate passed a new Farm Bill containing Klobuchar’s provisions to spur the development of renewable biofuels, promote the sale of E-85 and biodiesel fuel, and to fund new research on the next generation of cellulosic fuels.

In addition, the Senate is considering landmark, bipartisan climate change legislation that contains Klobuchar’s proposal for a “carbon counter’’ registry of greenhouse gas emissions.  Serving on the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee, Klobuchar has worked with Senators John Warner, R-Virginia, and Joe Lieberman, I-Connecticut, on historic legislation that would begin reducing the emission of greenhouse pollution by establishing a national, market-based cap-and-trade system to reduce emissions. The “carbon counter’’ system would establish a national registry of greenhouse gas emissions and their sources.

“We can’t control a problem until we can define it and measure it,’’ Klobuchar said.

Speakers at the Ely forum will include Will Steger, Gov. Pawlenty, Senator Klobuchar, Professor Lee Frelich from the University of Minnesota, J. Drake Hamilton of Fresh Energy, David Foster of the United Steel Workers, and representatives of the mining, timber and recreation industries.

The International Falls and Ely stops are part of Klobuchar’s 2008 Main Street Tour, which will take her to dozens of local Minnesota communities to discuss the issues on the minds of Minnesotans.
 
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