Last Friday, Sen. Al Franken challenged for more renewable energy research and support while addressing the Minnesota Renewable Energy Roundtable (MRER) in Fergus Falls.
With the recent Golf Coast oil spill, Franken pointed out why renewable energy is so important. According to Franken, a 46-day ethanol spill wouldn’t threaten livelihoods or wildlife, while wildlife is being threatened daily in the Gulf Coast.
“This disaster underscores the urgency of why we need a new comprehensive energy policy from rural America”, Franken said.
Renewable bioenergy as well as wind and solar power were among some of the investments Franken called for. Franken was quick to point out that is where new job growth is set course to take place, and if those investments are not made, those jobs will easily go to overseas markets such as China and Japan.
The Minnesota Renewable Energy Roundtable has played an important role in bioenergy discussions. Researchers, teachers, farmers, and business executives alike are all members of the roundtable. The goal is to get discussions going, and prompt action plans.
The Minnesota Renewable Energy Roundtable expects agriculture to play a big part in renewable energy for generations to come.
Information gathered from AgriNews with additional information available on their website, http://www.agrinews.com/sen/franken/pushes/renewable/energy/research/at/fergus/falls/story-2651.html
