• Home
• About Amy
• Serving Minnesotans
• About Minnesota
• Issues/ Legislation
• Media Center
• Contact Amy
• FAQ

News Releases

Klobuchar Congratulates Minnesota's Liza Stoner on Marathon Bike Ride, Receives Climate Change Petition

Praises Minnesota girl's passion for fighting global climate change

July 21, 2008

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today welcomed 14-year-old Liza Stoner of Minneapolis to the nation’s capital after a 1,500-mile bike ride designed to increase public awareness of global climate change and the potential of electric cars.  Stoner delivered a petition signed by 1,200 Minnesotans to Senator Klobuchar at the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

“We have seen time and time again that when it comes to new technology, a lot of times younger people lead the way,” said Klobuchar.  “Liza’s trip not only demonstrates her dedication and passion, but that it is time for change.  Developing more efficient technologies and new cars is no longer just an environmental issue, it is an economic issue for the people of this country.”

Stoner, who just graduated from 8th grade at the City of Lakes Waldorf School, decided to help raise awareness of the benefits of electric cars after watching a documentary that showed how progress on developing an electric car had been blocked.

"The whole thing started with the documentary, 'Who Killed The Electric Car,'" Liza Stoner said. "It made me really angry and I wanted to do something, so I decided to go on a bike ride."

Stoner delivered a petition signed by 1,200 Minnesotans to Senator Klobuchar at the steps of the U.S. Capitol.  Monday’s meeting marked the last day of Stoner’s “Ride for Renewal,” which spanned 32 days and nine states.   Her family joined her on the road, with her mother biking alongside her and her father and brother riding in the support vehicle.  She biked on average 40 miles per day.


Klobuchar, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, wrote the first title of the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act, a landmark, bipartisan piece of legislation to battle climate change by using a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. She also has introduced legislation establishing a national renewable-energy standard, modeled on Minnesota’s groundbreaking example, and expanding federal tax incentives to reward investment in renewable-energy sources such as wind power and solar energy.  In addition, she recently worked to pass $51 million in funding for Advanced Battery Research for Plug-in Hybrids in the Senate Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee.