Amy Klobuchar: “I am here to talk about the American Renewable Energy Act which I am introducing today, along with my colleagues…”

“I am here to talk about the American Renewable Energy Act which I am introducing today, along with my colleagues, Senator Snowe from Maine and Senator Cantwell from Washington. Last week, we passed a short-term stimulus package that will help change the economic direction of this country by putting money in the hands of American families, including our seniors and veterans. Last week's action was a start, but we must begin focusing on long-term policies that will help our economy long after these rebate checks have been cashed. If we do not do that, we are going to be back exactly in the place we were before. We need long-term policies that will encourage sustainable economic growth in every corner of this country. In January, I traveled all around my State on a Main Street tour of Minnesota. We talked about the economic challenges facing the people of our State, but we also talked about the opportunities. Energy was a topic that came up everywhere. It came up when people were filling up their cars and trucks with gas, and it came up when we talked about the opportunities. I visited southwestern Minnesota, which is home to hundreds of large-scale wind turbines, helping to make Minnesota the Nation's third largest producer of wind energy. Along with ethanol, these wind-energy farms have spurred a rural economic renaissance in our part of the State.”