As a member of the Senate Energy Committee, Senator Al Franken is committed to promoting energy initiatives that create jobs, help Minnesotans, and protect the environment. And because one-in-five jobs in Minnesota is tied to agriculture, since coming to the Senate Sen. Franken has pressed for energy policies that benefit farmers and rural businesses in Minnesota.

As the author of the 2014 Farm Bill's energy section, Sen. Franken was the leading proponent of the "Rural Energy for America Program," or REAP. The program is designed to helpag producers and rural businesses cut energy costs, invest in projects that increase energy efficiency, expand the use of renewable energy. REAP has made it possible for Minnesota farmers and businesses to receive more than $2.1 million in grants for energy projects in just 2014 and 2015 alone.

Sen. Franken recently launched a tour to hear about rural energy success stories, and to find out how the program can be improved and expanded in the next Farm Bill.

KIMT reported:

"By going around the state to different businesses it will benefit [Sen. Franken] when he's planning for the next farm bill.

"These projects pay for themselves with their savings so what I'm looking forward to is trying to make this REAP program even better and hopefully expand it in the next bill," said Franken.

Franken and his staff also hope this tour will draw more businesses to their REAP grants to try and reduce energy."

You can read more here.