Ward, renewable energy advocates call for federal legislation

BAXTER - Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, and area renewable energy leaders will call on Minnesota's U.S. senators to support a clean energy jobs bill at a news conference at the Silent Power headquarters in Baxter.

Scheduled to attend the 3:30 p.m. Tuesday news conference are Ward; Don Hickman, Initiative Foundation; Carol Anderson, Community Development of Morrison County Inc., Cheryal Hills, Region Five Development Commission; Bob McLean, Hunt Utilities Group; Todd Headlee, Silent Power; and Bill Faber, Central Lakes College natural resources instructor.

Silent Power is at 8175 Industrial Park Road.

The event will highlight what participants say is the need for urgent action on comprehensive clean federal energy legislation this year. The media event will come on the heels of U.S. senators Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and John Kerry, D-Mass., introducing a clean energy jobs bill.

Tuesday's event will feature speakers who are urging Minnesota's U.S. senators to take urgent action on clean energy legislation, the renewable energy advocates said will create tens of thousands of new clean energy jobs in the state.

According to the Center for American Progress, transitioning to a clean energy economy will create more than 30,263 jobs here in Minnesota.