Amy Klobuchar - Energy and the Environment

Impact of Global Warming

In January of 2007, Senator Klobuchar issued a press statement noting the effects of global warming on the state of Minnesota.

Senator Amy Klobuchar Discusses Impact of Global Warming on Minnesota's Environment

Klobuchar Emphasizes the Extraordinary Accomplishments of Minnesota's Arctic Explorers, Will Steger and Ann Bancroft, who "inspire action on global warming"

January 30, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today delivered remarks to the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee's meeting about global warming. Klobuchar, a member of the EPW Committee, discussed the effect global warming had on Minnesota's environment and also highlighted the work of arctic explorers Will Steger and Ann Bancroft. Klobuchar's remarks as delivered are below:

"Madam Chair, I'm honored to be here with you to talk about this important subject. I'm especially glad to be here at a time where this discussion has advanced beyond whether or not global warming exists but to what the solutions are to solve it.

"I respect the leadership of so many of my colleagues on this issue, the work that's being done on a bipartisan basis. Especially my friend, the new Senator Sanders who showed his usual chivalry by allowing me to go first today. Thank you.

"As a member of this committee, as well as the Agriculture and Commerce committees, I look forward to being very engaged in seeking positive bipartisan solutions to global warming. These solutions should build on our efforts to develop homegrown energy sources, so we can move away from our dependency on foreign oil.

"Every day, Congress makes decisions that have a great impact on the American people and people throughout the world. But our decisions on global warming may well be the ones that have the most profound impact on our future generations and on the very fate of the earth.

"Madam Chair, in Minnesota, we love the outdoors and we take pride in the richness and beauty of our natural resources. We protect our forests and our prairies, our lakes and rivers, our diverse wildlife and abundant farmland.

"It's January now in Minnesota - and this past weekend the temperatures in my state were below zero. We've had the Winter Carnival going on, Ice Box Days in International Falls - we always welcome you to visit. But many people here might wonder why Minnesotans would be concerned if it warmed up a few degrees.

"Well, we are concerned - we're deeply concerned. We are concerned for ourselves and for the rest of the world. We are concerned for the impact of global warming and the effect it's already having.

"Global warming is on the rise, with enormous consequences for our world and our economy.

"2006 was the hottest year ever in this country, capping a nine-year streak unprecedented in the historical record. December in Minnesota felt more like October. Our ice fishing seasons are shorter and our skiers and snowmobilers haven't seen much snow.

"Worldwide, glaciers are rapidly melting. Just last week, it was reported that glaciers in the European Alps will be all but gone by the year 2050. Experts worry that within 25 years, there won't be a single glacier in Glacier National Park.

"We've seen record storms all across the world. Globally, sea levels have risen 4 to 10 inches over the past century. The frequency of extremely heavy rainfalls has increased throughout much of the United States.

"The impact is especially dire in Greenland and the Arctic region. The temperature changes there have been the greatest, resulting in widespread melting of glaciers, thinning of the polar ice cap and rising permafrost temperatures.

"In Minnesota, stewardship for the environment is a part of our heritage and it has been an especially important part of preserving our economy. So global warming is an issue that strikes us close to home.

"That's why I want to mention several notable Minnesotans who are trying to draw attention to global warming and its impact on our planet.

"They are adventurer-explorers who have gone - literally - to the ends of the earth. Not just to pursue adventure, but also to pursue greater knowledge and an understanding of our place in the world - for the benefit of all of us.

"Will Steger is one of these Minnesotans, and he is a good friend of mine.

"He has led the first dogsled expedition to the North Pole and the first dogsled crossing of Antarctica.

"Next month, he embarks on a new expedition - a four-month, 1,200-mile trip by dogsled through the Canadian Arctic. And later this year, he plans to kayak around masses of melting sea ice in Antarctica. I figure if he can do this, we can get a bipartisan bill.

"At age 62, why is Will Steger doing these things? It's to promote greater public awareness of global warming and the urgent need for action. He says his many journeys over the past four decades have shown him firsthand the effects of global warming.

"During the past year, he has been in practically every church basement and every community center meeting room in Minnesota to talk about this subject.

"A friend says that Will's new determination is rooted in sorrow. 'He's watching the places he loves melt away' - literally. But Will's message is ultimately one of hope: He knows it is within our power to do something about it.

"'Some people still don't believe this is happening,' he says. 'But the even bigger danger is that some think we can't do anything about it.'

"Another notable Minnesota adventurer-explorer who feels the same way is Ann Bancroft.

"She was a member of Will Steger's North Pole expedition in 1986. She was also the first woman to cross both polar ice caps to reach the poles, and she was the first woman to ski across Greenland. In 2001, Ann and Norwegian adventurer Liv Arnesen, captivated millions of people worldwide as they fulfilled their childhood dream and became the first women to ski across Antarctica.

"And next month, she, too, is embarking on a new adventure: Ann and Liv are now preparing for an arduous 530-mile journey by foot across the frozen Arctic Ocean to the North Pole.

"Schoolchildren around the world will be able to follow them online, with a Web site charting their daily progress with videos, photos and audio postings.

"Ann Bancroft's mission, like Will Steger's, is to inspire action on global warming. She acknowledges that climate change is a major challenge that can't be solved easily or overnight, but her goal is to prove that small steps add up.

"Finally, there is one more Minnesota adventurer and outdoorsman I want to mention. He's not quite in the same league as Will Steger and Ann Bancroft. But he's in a class by himself. His name is Jim Klobuchar - and he's my dad.

"For 30 years he was sportswriter and columnist for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. He's also an avid mountain climber and hiker. Now in his 70s, he continues to operate an adventure travel club that, among other things, takes people to what he calls 'the high places of the world' - including the Himalayas, the Alps and Mount Kilimanjaro.

"My dad has been to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro five times. And he has told me that, each time he goes, he sees clear and dramatic signs of global warming there. The snow crown is visibly shrinking. Where he once trekked through snow, it is now dry land. And it keeps getting worse.

"Three decades ago, he went to the village of Gletsch in the Swiss Alps. He stayed at a hotel right on the very edge of the famous Rhone Glacier. But this glacier has already retreated hundreds of feet since the time he saw it. And now tourists come to watch it melt in front of their eyes.

"The stakes are high as they get.

"The American people are hoping this new Congress will, at last, confront the challenge of global warming. This is going to call for bipartisan, ambitious, comprehensive effort on the part of this Congress and also for an enlightened response from the business community who are already starting to see what the call to action that the other senators have mentioned.

"There is much work to be done and many stakeholders to consider. My colleagues here in the Senate that have begun this work have advanced a number of thoughtful proposals.

"There are several key elements that I hope to see in the final result:
- First, strong limits on economy-wide emissions of greenhouse gases,
- Some version of a cap and trade system,
- Strong renewable fuel content standards for cars and trucks,
- Incentives for both the manufacture and purchase of hybrid and flex-fuel vehicles.
- Strong renewable energy standards for electricity generation, so we can make greater use of wind, solar and other renewable energy sources.
- Aggressive federal support for research and development to build a new Manhattan Project for new energy sources.
- Finally, we need to stop to the giveaways and special favors for the big oil companies.

"One of the best things we can do both to respond to global warming and to achieve energy independence is to develop our homegrown renewable energy. We should be investing in the farmers and the workers of the Midwest instead of the oil cartels of the Mideast.

"Like most Americans and you Madam Chair, I'm an optimist. I believe in the power and promise of science, technology and innovation when we need to solve a problem. I believe in the intelligence and ingenuity of the American people when we are confronted with a challenge. And I believe in the capacity of our democratic system of government to make the right decisions for the good of our country.

"I think of the tremendous courage and determination of explorers like Will Steger and Ann Bancroft. With a single-minded focus, they overcame the most difficult hardships and obstacles imaginable to reach their destinations. That's the American spirit.

"I believe we, too, can reach our destination: We can turn the corner on the devastating effects of global warming, and we can take giant strides toward energy independence.

"As you know, former Vice President - and former Senator - Al Gore has been a strong voice on the need to address the urgent challenges of global warming. He has stressed the importance of far-sighted, forward-looking leadership to tackle this issue.

"He recalls the words of General Omar Bradley at the end of World War II, when America was confronted by the challenge of building a new post-war world. The general said: 'It is time we steered by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship.'

"We, too, must now steer by the stars. And like explorers Will Steger and Ann Bancroft, we must do so with the determination to surmount the obstacles in our way to reach our goal.

"Thank you very much."

Global Warming Initiative in Farm Bill

In February of 2007, Senator Klobuchar issued a press statement noting a letter sent to Senator Harkin to urge him to include of a global warming initiative in the year's farm bill.

Klobuchar Proposes Global Warming Initiative as Major Part of Upcoming Farm Bill

Ag Committee Chair Harkin: Klobuchar proposing "practical, common-sense policies for curbing global warming"

February 13, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today exercised her unique role as a key player in the global warming discussion by outlining the initiatives she seeks to be included in the upcoming farm bill. In preparing to introduce a climate change incentive program that she will work to include in the Farm Bill, Senator Klobuchar today sent a letter to the head of the Agriculture Committee, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), outlining her proposals and pushing for action. Klobuchar's initiatives would mark the first time the Agriculture Committee, which is scheduled to consider the 2007 farm bill by September 30, 2007, would consider climate changes provisions as part of the farm bill.

Klobuchar said, "Global warming and oil dependency are among the greatest challenges we face for our future. These two problems are interrelated, and our solutions need to be interrelated, too. With forward-looking farming practices, America's heartland holds great promise for homegrown solutions to global warming."

Senator Tom Harkin, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee said, "Senator Klobuchar is proposing practical, common-sense policies for curbing global warming. These pragmatic ideas will help farmers adopt stronger conservation practices, promote more production and use of renewable biofuels and enhance our nation's energy security, while increasing farm income, economic growth and jobs in rural communities."

To help farmers lower their energy costs and reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, Klobuchar proposed to provide assistance for farmers seeking to make improvements to the energy efficiency of farm equipment and buildings, and seeking to increase their use of renewable resources to meet on-farm energy needs.

Klobuchar also emphasized that the Farm Bill should include incentives for farmers to grow perennial grasses and other biomass crops suitable for cellulosic ethanol production. Cellulosic ethanol refers to ethanol made from cellulosic plant material including grasses, wood chips, corn stalks and agricultural residue.

Senator Klobuchar holds a distinct position in advocating for climate control initiatives as a member of three committees currently addressing the issue of global warming: the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, and the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee.

The text of Klobuchar's letter is below:

February 13, 2007
The Honorable Tom Harkin
Chairman
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Chairman:

Global warming and oil dependency are among the greatest challenges we face for our future. These two problems are interrelated, and our solutions need to be interrelated, too. With forward-looking farming practices, America's heartland holds great promise for homegrown solutions to global warming. As a member of both the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, I respectfully request that agriculture's role in fighting climate change be made a major new focus of the next farm bill. In the coming months I plan to introduce a package of incentives that would allow farmers to improve the carbon sequestration of their farm operations, reduce fossil energy consumption and produce a new generation of carbon neutral biofuels.

To allow farmers to reduce consumption of fossil energy, my proposal will include assistance for farmers seeking to make improvements to the energy efficiency of farm equipment and buildings, and to increase their use of renewable resources to meet on-farm energy needs. These practices are encouraged to some extent under existing USDA programs, but too often these programs have been curtailed due to lack of funding.

My proposal will also include incentives for farmers to grow perennial grasses and other biomass crops suitable for cellulosic ethanol production. These crops would also assure the nation a sufficient supply of cellulosic feedstocks for the coming generation of biofuels facilities. And, because these crops are less fossil energy intensive to produce, the biofuels made from them can dramatically reduce carbon impact compared to gasoline, since the carbon released in the burning of the fuel is taken out of the air when the crop grows.

Finally, my climate change initiative would provide funding for the carbon sequestration research and extension projects created in the 2002 Farm Bill but never implemented. These projects were intended to allow USDA to work with universities to examine how agricultural and forestry practices affect the sequestration of carbon in soils and plants, and to implement on-farm demonstration projects. The information provided by this research will be vital in our ongoing efforts to encourage farmers to expand practices that store carbon in the soil.

In conclusion, I urge the Committee to use the opportunity offered by the farm bill reauthorization to examine the positive impact that agriculture can have on climate change. I look forward to working with you to craft meaningful legislation to this end in the coming months.

Sincerely,
Amy Klobuchar
United States Senator

Minnesota Energy Laws

In March of 2007, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her support for energy regulations passed in her home state of Minnesota and her support for national measures to enact similar legislation.

Klobuchar Highlights Just Passed MN Energy Law, Calls on Federal Government to Take National Action

March 1, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today told a Senate Environmental and Public Works panel that Minnesota has set the most aggressive energy standard in the nation. At a hearing featuring New Jersey Governor (and former Senator) Jon Corzine, Klobuchar praised Minnesota's new law and similar efforts in other states - including New Jersey, California, and Arizona - and called for immediate and bold federal government action on renewable energy and renewable electricity.

Just last week, Minnesota passed into law a "25 by 25" standard: By the year 2025, the state's energy companies are required to generate 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources such as wind, water, solar and biomass. The standard is even higher for Minnesota's largest utility, Xcel Energy, which must reach 30 percent by 2020. It was adopted with overwhelming bipartisan support. The vote was 123 to 10 in the State House, and 61 to 4 in the State Senate. The bill was quickly signed into law by the Governor.

Klobuchar stressed the bipartisan approach Minnesota's leaders took:

"Our leaders displayed courage by working together in a bipartisan fashion to give Minnesota a new approach to energy and electricity," said Klobuchar. "They showed the rest of the country how this can be done. Now it's the federal government's turn, and we need to be as bold, courageous, and bipartisan as Minnesota has been."

At the hearing, Klobuchar engaged in a dialogue on this issue with Corzine, talking with him about America's need to stay on the cutting edge of energy technology and asking him about his experiences as a governor, a senator, and a leader in the world of investment and finance.

Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act

In May of 2007, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her support for legislation that would drastically increased fuel mileage standards for automobiles. The legislation would also aid the shift from oil to ethanol fuels.

Klobuchar Amendment Shifts Vehicles to Renewable Energy

Legislation would also mandate strong fuel economy standards, penalize oil companies for price gouging

May 9, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) supported a bill that would require all vehicles to have a 35 miles per gallon (mpg) fuel economy standard by 2020. The bill, the Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act (S.357), passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee, of which she is a member, yesterday. She introduced an amendment that the Committee approved which would push for nearly all new vehicles to be flexible fuel ("flex fuel") compatible by 2015.

"This amendment is an investment in American homegrown renewable energy," remarked Klobuchar. "Outfitting American cars and trucks with the ability to run on alternative fuels, is a step toward outgrowing our dependency on foreign oil. Minnesota leads the way with E85 stations and I will continue to pursue initiatives that shift our nation closer to the future in renewable technology."

Klobuchar's amendment would adopt that 50 percent of all new vehicles be "flex fuel" capable starting in 2012 and builds on that baseline 10 percent each year, until reaching 80 percent in 2015. The amendment strengthens the overall bill which gives manufacturers time to meet the new fuel standard—a nationwide average fuel economy of 35 mpg by 2020.

The Klobuchar amendment would also help increase consumer awareness of flexible fuel vehicles by requiring automakers to display a permanent badge indicating a vehicle is capable of operating on alternative fuel, distribute literature in the owner's manual and label the fuel caps of flexible fuel vehicles. Klobuchar worked with Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), and John Kerry (D-MA) to get the amendment included in the bill.

Klobuchar also cosponsored an amendment introduced by Cantwell that takes a swing at relieving the pinch consumers are feeling at the pump. Nationwide gas prices have soared 20 cents in the last two weeks to a national average of $3.07, leaving American consumers digging deeper in their pockets as oil companies turn in record profits, such as Exxon's $39.5 billion profit in 2006.

"This legislation is about accountability and consumer protection," Klobuchar said. "These record prices are hurting our families and businesses, and oil companies need to know that when they unfairly hike up oil prices simply to get richer at the expense of the American consumer, there are going to be consequences."

Senator Klobuchar has been fighting price gouging oil companies since her campaign in 2006. During that time, she called for a "gas gouging penalty" against oil companies that were cheating American consumers at the gas pump. Klobuchar has also pushed for more market transparency and punishments for uncooperative oil companies.

Under the new legislation, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) could conduct investigations and fine companies for unfair price gouging. Currently, there is no federal legislation addressing price gouging for oil and gas.

The legislation is expected to reach the Senate floor for debate sometime in June.

Farm-to-Fuel Investment Act

In May of 2007, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her support for legislation called hte Farm-to-Fuel Investment Act.

Senator Klobuchar, Chairmen Harkin and Conrad Introduce the Farm-to-Fuel Investment Act

Groundbreaking legislation paves the way for investment in cellulosic ethanol

May 15, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) Today U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Kent Conrad (D-ND), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, introduced first-of-its-kind legislation that aims to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil by encouraging American farmers to produce cellulosic energy crops. The legislation, the Farm-to-Fuel Investment Act, would provide transition assistance for farmers to grow dedicated energy crops (crops like switchgrass grown solely for the purpose of producing energy).

"Farmers are going to be a key part of our nation's ability to achieve energy independence," said Klobuchar. "These crops could revolutionize how we look at energy just like ethanol and biodiesel have. Now its time for Congress to act and reward our farmers at home, protect the environment, and pave the way for tomorrow's energy."

"When we draw our energy from farm fields and other renewable sources here in the U.S., and reduce our dependence on the oil fields of the Middle East, that is a win, win, win for America," said Chairman Harkin. "This bill charts a course for initiating the extensive production of biomass feedstocks while continuing to protect wildlife and promote sound soil and water conservation practices. I commend Senator Klobuchar for her work to push additional biofuels production from biomass and the contribution she is making to the debate on the new farm bill."

"I just held a field hearing in Fargo where I was told that native prairie grasses can be a phenomenal source of cellulosic ethanol," Senator Conrad said. "I'm supporting this legislation because I believe that North Dakota can help this nation grow its way out of our dependency on foreign energy - whether it's from cellulosic ethanol or biodiesel. It's time we turned from the Mid East for our energy and turned instead to the Mid West."

The bill would provide three years of transition assistance to farmers who produce dedicated energy crops in an area 50 miles around a biorefinery that will produce fuels like cellulosic ethanol. Incentives are needed for the first few years because it takes about three years for crops like switchgrass to reach their first mature harvest. The three-year period also takes into account the time needed to develop a biorefinery to purchase the crop. After a market has developed and the crops have matured, the transition assistance would phase out.

To participate, farmers would have to agree to adopt conservation practices for soil quality, water quality and wildlife habitat. This legislation also allows for an additional incentive to farmers who produce native perennial energy crops, such as prairie grass mixtures, because of the tremendous conservation benefits those crops provide. Perennial grasses protect soil and water quality, sequester carbon, create wildlife habitat and save farmers money on fuel and fertilizer.

Renewable fuels groups and farmers organizations alike back the bill:

"The Renewable Fuels Association applauds Senator Klobuchar for her leadership in identifying a critical need in achieving the goals for renewable fuel use our nation has put forward, goals that will require more than grain-based ethanol to achieve," said Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. "Senator Klobuchar's legislation, which would provide transitional assistance for farmers interested in producing bioenergy crops, is a logical first step in bringing farmers and biorefineries together to grow the feedstocks for cellulosic ethanol facilities across the nation."

Tom Buis, President of the National Farmers Union commented on the legislation stating, "Developing commercial production of cellulosic ethanol offers a bright future for rural America. The Farm to Fuel Investment Act of 2007 will create economic opportunities for farmers, ranchers and their rural communities while moving our nation toward energy independence. I commend Senator Klobuchar for her leadership in creating a means to help rural America achieve our country's energy goals."

Ethanol Education and Expansion Act

In May of 2007, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her support for the Ethanol Education and Expansion Act.

Senators Introduce Bipartisan Ethanol Education and Expansion Act

Legislation would provide Americans with cheaper and environmentally friendly fuel

May 24, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) Today in an effort to provide Americans relief from record high gas prices U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Barack Obama, (D-IL), Kit Bond (R-MO), George Voinovich (R-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation to expand consumer access to 85 percent ethanol fuel, or E-85, an affordable, home-grown alternative to gasoline. The Ethanol Education and Expansion Act of 2007 would work to reduce prices at the pump for consumers by providing grants through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to farmer-owned ethanol producers to install additional E-85 pumps at rural gas stations as well as the equipment needed to sell E-85 directly to gas stations.

"With gas prices up over $3.00 a gallon and oil companies raking in record profits, its time to move forward with homegrown energy," remarked Sen. Klobuchar. "E-85 and other renewable fuels mean jobs for our country and cheaper fuel for our cars. We can produce all the homegrown energy we want, but without the pumps to take the fuel from our farms to the tanks in our cars, we will never have energy independence."

"Reducing our nation's consumption of gasoline and encouraging the use of renewable fuels, like ethanol, are important steps in combating global climate change," said Sen. Obama. "Expanding our ethanol infrastructure, as this legislation proposes, will inject competition into the market, give Americans the power to choose domestically produced, environmentally-friendly fuel and reduce our dependence on expensive foreign oil."

Ethanol has become a popular alternative for the 6 million Americans with flexible fuel vehicles (vehicles capable of using gas or E-85 as fuel) looking for relief at the pump and an environmentally-friendly fuel. However, many consumers have a hard time finding E-85, since it is available at just 1,200 stations - less than one percent of the approximately 170,000 gas stations in the U.S.

"As hard working Americans continue to feel the pain at the pump, we need to provide access to more energy alternatives to fuel consumers," said Sen. Bond. This bill is a good step towards making our country more energy independent. The addition of E-85 pumps will better serve our nation's need for a reliable renewable resource."

"Keeping America competitive in the global marketplace requires an overhaul of our national energy policy - we must become less reliant on foreign sources on energy," Sen. Voinovich said. "To do so, we must increase our energy supply, conserve more energy and explore and expand our use of new technologies including E-85. Our bill will help dramatically increase the availability of E-85, making it a viable source of fuel for everyday Americans who are committed to our nation's energy independence."

As part of the grant program, the bill would allow farmer-owned ethanol producers to install the infrastructure needed to bypass oil companies and sell E-85 directly to gas stations. This would ensure that American farmers receive the benefits of home grown fuels such as E-85.

The bill would also create the new E-85 Education Program, which would award competitive grants to non-profit organizations to educate gas station owners, vehicle fleet operators and the general public about the benefits and availability of E-85.

Currently, most ethanol is sold to oil companies who then re-sell to gas stations, often at higher prices. Klobuchar's bipartisan proposal eliminates the middle man, thus reducing prices at the pump for consumers and keeping energy dollars in the Midwest instead of lining the pockets of oil cartels in the Middle East.

"Renewable fuels are one of the keys to America's drive toward energy independence. These fuels reduce our reliance on foreign oil and enhance our ability to control our own security and economic future - while helping our farmers by increasing demand for their crops," Durbin said. "One of the biggest challenges in increasing the use of renewable fuels is that many consumers don't have access to fuels like E-85. This legislation takes an important step toward overcoming this hurdle and paves a path to greater production and use of renewable fuels."

Sen. Klobuchar will work to include the legislation in the 2007 Farm Bill, which the Senate is expected to take up in the coming months. The bill sets the amount of federal grant assistance at 20 percent of the total project cost, providing enough funding to complete 1,000-2,000 new E-85 pumps over the five-year life of the Farm Bill.

Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Hilary Clinton (D-NY), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), and John Kerry (D-MA) are also co-sponsors of the legislation.

25\% by 2025

In June of 2007, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her support for legislation to establish a renewable energy initiative 

Klobuchar Introduces Renewable Energy Initiative

Klobuchar outlines "25\% by 2025" plan similar to bipartisan bill that won approval in the Minnesota Legislature

June 6, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) In a speech delivered on the floor of the Senate today, Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced legislation that would establish a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) to require utility companies across the nation to produce at least 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by the year 2025. The “25\% by 2025” legislation aims to stabilize electricity prices, stimulate America’s rural economy and protect the environment. Klobuchar has praised the bipartisan actions of many states on the issue, including Minnesota, and urges Congress to follow their lead.

“While the states are already heading down the path toward the new ‘green economy,’ the federal government has not even made it to the trail head. The federal government is stuck in the fossil age,” noted Klobuchar during today’s speech.

Renewable energy resources currently account for just over 2 percent of the nation's electricity production, and that's without a federal standard of any kind. The 25 percent requirement, escalating from current levels today, will ensure major new investments in renewable energy by utilities. The U.S. Department of Energy will be instructed to implement a market-based trading system for renewable energy credits to help utilities meet the mandate if they haven't made the necessary investments in renewable energy projects of their own.

Over 20 states already have renewable generation standards with various timelines and targets. In February, Minnesota enacted a law which is considered to be the most aggressive standard for promoting renewable energy. Senator Klobuchar’s legislation does not pre-empt states like Minnesota that currently have RES standards.

"The courage we’re seeing in the states, especially Minnesota, as they deal with global warming should be matched by courage in Washington. We should be prepared to act on a national level – especially when the states and local communities are showing us the way,” said Klobuchar.

According to a study by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, a national renewable portfolio standard similar to Senator Klobuchar’s would drastically reduce electric and natural gas prices, which are currently spiking around the country. The current energy path in America is only hurting families and businesses that are seeing skyrocketing costs.

“Analysis found that an aggressive national standard would reduce electric and natural gas prices and provide significant economic benefits for all Americans,” said Klobuchar.

Senator Klobuchar’s bill has environmental benefits as well. The new RES would reduce toxic air pollution from power plants that threaten people’s health by burning coal, oil, and natural gas. It would also reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which cause global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Klobuchar’s legislation is actively supported by a number of organizations, including the Fresh Energy, Xcel Energy, and the League of Conservation Voters:

“This new national standard opens the door to a new electricity industry that will bring thousands of jobs and pump billions of dollars into our economy. Senator Klobuchar is a pioneer in the Senate for her actions,” remarked Michael Noble, Executive Director of Fresh Energy in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“An aggressive national renewable electricity standard comports with our plan to deploy renewable energy throughout our national system. We appreciate Senator Klobuchar working hard to harmonize state and federal requirements,” commented John A. O’Donnell, Director of Federal Public Affairs, Xcel Energy in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“There’s no question that we can supply power to millions of homes and businesses by harnessing clean energy from the sun, wind, crops and more. We applaud Senator Klobuchar’s bill to require that 25\% of our electricity come from clean homegrown sources by 2025, which builds on the momentum in Minnesota and states across the country,” said Tiernan Sittenfeld, Legislative Director of the League of Conservation Voters.

2008 Energy Bill

In June of 2007, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her support for provisions in the energy bill that rewarded renewable energy provisions.

Senator Klobuchar Votes for Senate Energy Bill

Legislation offers incentives to Minnesota's emerging renewable energy sector

June 22, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) Using her key committee positions on Environment and Public Works, and Commerce Senator Klobuchar was instrumental in bringing the 2007 Energy Bill to the floor of the Senate, and negotiating its final passage. The bill aims to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and vehicles, including a key provision to raise the fuel economy standards by 10 miles per gallon in the next ten years, and shift the country toward the use of homegrown biofuels. The bill, the Clean Energy Act of 2007, aims to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil sources and stimulate new investment in renewable technologies.

Senator Klobuchar was one of the key Senators among a group that negotiated to keep provisions increasing the fuel economy of our cars and trucks.

“Consumers deserve relief at the pump and increasing fuel economy standards is one major way to help them,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This bill requires auto manufacturers to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles, which can save families nearly $1000 a year on gas. Our work on the Commerce Committee, and in this bill, brings us one step closer to producing real savings and real solutions.”

The provision in the bill that makes cars and trucks more fuel efficient originated in the Senate Commerce Committee, which Klobuchar is a member. It requires an increase in fuel economy standards from 25 miles per gallon to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 and also requires that 50 percent of all vehicles made in the U.S. be flexible fuel vehicles – giving consumers the opportunity to use renewable fuels – by the year 2015.

In order to ensure renewable fuel consumption, the bill also requires 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels be used by the year 2022; starting with 8.5 billion gallons by 2008. The current requirement is 7.5 billion gallons by 2012, a goal the country is expected to exceed. The legislation includes research on ethanol pipelines, quality standards for biodiesel, and loan guarantees for advanced biofuels facilities.

"We are spending over $200,000 a minute on foreign oil and it’s time to start investing in the workers and farmers of the Midwest instead of the oil cartels of the Mid East,” said Klobuchar. “Today is a major victory towards energy independence and investing in the renewable fuels of the future.”

Klobuchar had also introduced a bipartisan amendment to the Energy bill to require all major producers of greenhouse gases to report their emissions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The amendment enjoyed strong bipartisan support and was cosponsored by Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME); Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Sen. Thomas Carper (D-RI), Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Sen. John Kerry (D-MA).

Klobuchar’s legislation was one of many amendments, including Chairman Bingaman’s renewable electricity standard, which did not receive a vote; however, the Senate appropriations committee has already authorized $2 million to implement the greenhouse gas registry and Klobuchar has vowed to pass the legislation at every opportunity available.

The Energy bill passed the Senate late last night by a vote of 65 to 27 and now moves on to a conference committee with the House version of the bill.

Testimony - Senate Energy Committee

In July of 2007, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her testimony before the Senate Energy Committee.

Senator Klobuchar Testifies before Senate Energy Committee

Testimony Highlights Minnesota's Leadership on Renewable Fuel Infrastructure

July 31, 2007

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) testified before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Energy Subcommittee. Klobuchar’s testimony highlighted how Minnesota’s leadership in developing renewable fuel infrastructure can be a national model. The testimony underscored the positive impact that policies, like Minnesota’s, can have in achieving America’s energy security.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this timely hearing on the topic of renewable fuel infrastructure, and for inviting me to testify. As you know, ethanol and biodiesel are near and dear to Minnesota, but my interest in them goes far beyond that. Our ability to produce a reliable, low-cost, domestic source of energy has become a question of national security.

The United States spends more than $400,000 per minute on foreign oil. That money is shipped out of our economy, adding to our enormous trade deficit, and leaving us vulnerable to unstable parts of the world to meet our basic energy needs.

There are those who would have us believe that energy security is decades away, but any Minnesota farmer can tell you that renewable fuels are here and ready to use today. However, in spite of the clear advantages of renewable fuels to our rural economy and our energy security, we face a chicken-and-egg type of problem when it comes to the challenge of making them available to more drivers. The auto makers are reluctant to promote flex-fuel vehicles in areas where there are no E-85 pumps, and gas stations don’t want to put in E-85 pumps where there are no flex-fuel vehicles.

So we need to tackle both ends of the problem. On the issue of vehicles, Mr. Chairman, I was proud to work with you to include provisions in the Senate-passed energy bill that would require automakers to equip 50 percent of their new vehicles with alternative-fuel technology by the year 2015.

On the other end of the problem – the ability to find gas stations that sell E-85 and biodiesel -- it is crucial that Congress act to provide more American drivers with access to renewable fuel pumps.

As you know, Mr. Chairman, Minnesota ranks first in the nation in E-85 infrastructure – we have 320 pumps out of 1250 in the nation – far more than any other state. And I know, Mr. Chairman, that it’s a question of particular interest to you – how did Minnesota come to be the leader in this area? The answer, I believe, comes down to leadership:
• Leadership in state government in setting statewide ethanol standards and providing grants for E-85 pumps.
• Leadership of the Minnesota Corn Growers, who formed a coalition with the American Lung Association of Minnesota, the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, and others to promote E-85 across the state.
• Finally, leadership on the part of the ethanol producers, who have developed innovative marketing arrangements, whereby they sell E-85 directly to gas stations, and cut out the oil company-owned middleman. In Minnesota, about 2/3 of the gas stations that sell E-85 purchase it directly from the ethanol producer, and that’s why they can afford to sell it at a price that’s attractive to consumers.

So what can we, at the federal level, learn from Minnesota’s example? First, wherever possible, we should encourage ethanol producers to sell directly to gas stations. Outside of Minnesota, ethanol is generally sold under long-term contract to blending terminals, which are part of the oil company-owned pipeline system. The terminals then re-sell the ethanol to gas stations. In essence, the price that consumers pay for ethanol is usually set by ethanol’s biggest competitor, the oil companies. When ethanol producers sell ethanol directly to gas stations without a middleman:
• drivers get the benefit of a low-cost fuel,
• the ethanol producers collect the 51 cent-per-gallon federal blender’s credit instead of the oil companies,
• and America’s energy dollars come right back to our rural communities.

We have seen this model work well in Minnesota, pioneered by the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company in Benson. They currently supply roughly a hundred gas stations that sell E-85 at 60 cents below the price of gas. That’s why I have introduced a bill that would help other states follow Minnesota’s lead -- the “Ethanol Education and Expansion Act” would provide tax credits for ethanol producers to install the kind of equipment they need to sell directly to gas stations, and I would like to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for cosponsoring this legislation.

Second, we should not allow oil companies to block their franchised gas stations from selling renewable fuels. I have heard from gas stations in Minnesota that their franchise contracts make it so difficult to sell ethanol and biodiesel that many of them just can’t do it. They have reported cases where:
• they’re not allowed to sell renewable fuels under the main canopy that bears the oil company’s brand name,
• they can’t convert the pumps and tanks they already have, because of a requirement to sell all three grades of gasoline,
• and they’re not even allowed to put up signs to let customers know they have renewable fuel for sale, where the pump is, or how much it costs.

I offered a “Right to Retail Renewable Fuel” amendment to the Energy Bill that would prohibit oil companies from placing restrictions on where and how renewable fuels can be sold at gas stations. I’m pleased to report that similar language was passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which will give us an opportunity to examine this issue in conference.

The third and final thing we can learn from Minnesota’s example is that a modest investment of federal dollars can yield big results on the ground. The coalition in Minnesota that raised $9 million for E-85 pumps was started with a grant of just $250,000 from the Department of Energy.

In closing, I would simply state that the scarcity of pumps, caused in part by the oil companies’ unwillingness to allow for competition, is the single greatest factor limiting the positive impact that renewable fuels can and should have on our nation’s energy security. If we are serious about finding alternatives to foreign oil, we should ensure that drivers in every state have access to E-85 and biodiesel. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Carbon Buster Awards

In August of 2007, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her awarding of LEEDS awards to groups that leading the way in reducing their carbon footprint. In November of 2007, Senator Klobuchar released another statement noting that she was introducing the carbon buster awards for school children. In March of 2008, Senator Klobuchar would again grant awards to school children for fighting global warming.

Sen. Klobuchar Showcases Local Efforts to Combat Global Warming with "Carbon Buster" Awards

August 22, 2007

Inside a Bloomington company’s high-performance energy-efficient “green” building, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar this morning presented her first “Carbon Buster Awards of Excellence” to showcase local efforts to combat global warming and climate change.

“Global warming presents us with a world of dangers and risks,” said Klobuchar. “But I believe it gives us a universe of opportunities, too. That includes the opportunity for all of us to do something about it.”

Klobuchar said she started the Carbon Busters Awards program to showcase some of the best efforts by Minnesotans to do something positive in response to global warming.

“I’m an optimist,” said Klobuchar. “We’re in a state that has given the world the pacemaker and the Post-it Note. I believe in the power and promise of science, technology and innovation when we need to solve a problem. I believe in the intelligence and the ingenuity of the American people when we’re confronted with a challenge. We have plenty of that intelligence and ingenuity right here in Minnesota.”

This morning, Klobuchar presented Carbon Buster Awards to:

- QBP (Quality Bicycle Products). This Bloomington-based company, which hosted the awards event, employs nearly 400 people and is the country’s largest distributor of bicycle parts and accessories.

QBP received Senator Klobuchar’s Carbon Buster Award for the construction of its new high-efficiency 135,000-square-foot distribution center. The building recently received a Gold rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The building features innovative wastewater technologies, high-efficiency appliances and a design capitalizing on natural light. It is also outfitted with a 40 kilowatt solar panel array, which is the largest in the Upper Midwest.

“QBP’s new building proves it is possible to improve energy efficiency, help protect the environment and create a better work setting for employees, while also saving money” said Klobuchar. “As a successful private business, QBP made a bottom-line decision to invest in technology that will ultimately increase its profitability. The company sets a great example for what is possible for other businesses – and for all of us.”

- Center for Energy and Environment (CEE). This Minnesota nonprofit organization works to promote the responsible and efficient use of natural and economic resources.

CEE received Senator Klobuchar’s Carbon Buster Award for its sponsorship of the “Minnesota Energy Challenge,” an effort to empower Minnesotans to take simple steps to reduce their energy use and carbon dioxide emissions.

Individuals can go to the Energy Challenge website (www.mnenergychallenge.org); calculate their current energy use and carbon output; and then pledge to take simple energy-saving actions that, in many cases, also save money. The Energy Challenge is also available to businesses, local governments, schools, churches and others.

“If every American home replaced just one traditional light bulb with a Compact Fluorescent Bulb,” Klobuchar noted, “the energy savings would be enough to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and it would prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to nearly 800,000 cars.”

Also this morning, Klobuchar announced a new “Carbon Buster” competition specifically for schools and students to create projects that highlight a carbon-reducing activity or the importance of taking action on global warming.

In her first year as Senator, Klobuchar is already a national leader on the issue of global climate change. She serves on three Senate committees directly involved with the issue: Environment and Public Works, Agriculture and Commerce.

Support for Cap-and-Trade Legislation

In June of 2007, Senator Klobuchar spoke on the Senate floor about her desire to create a carbon registry to require all companies to register their carbon output.

In October of 2007, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her introduction of cap-and-trade legislation into the Lieberman-Warner global warming legislation. 

Senators Klobuchar and Snowe Include 'Carbon Counter' in Global Warming Legislation

Measure would implement first nationwide greenhouse gas reporting registry

October 18, 2007

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Olympia Snowe successfully included their ‘carbon counter’ language as part of the America’s Climate Security Act, S. 2191, announced today by authors Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and John Warner (R-Va.). The Klobuchar-Snowe provision would lay the foundation for a national greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program. While the overall bill seeks to implement first nationwide cap-and-trade program in the United States, the bill needs the Klobuchar-Snowe proposal to produce accurate and uniform data from which to implement the cap-and-trade program. The Klobuchar-Snowe bill is the first title in the Lieberman-Warner bill.

“The success of a cap-and-trade program hinges on having an accurate system of monitoring, verifying and reporting greenhouse gas emission,” said Klobuchar. “Greenhouse gas emissions are a global problem, and if we can’t measure it, we can’t fix it. If Weight Watchers can have a calorie counter, we can have a carbon counter."

“The Greenhouse Gas Registry is absolutely fundamental to any climate proposal by creating a comprehensive and uniform assessment of the origin of our domestic manmade greenhouse gas emissions,” Sen. Snowe said. “This is an essential component to any climate change legislation and I am encouraged that this will be maintained in any proposal that is passes the Environment and Public Works Committee.”

America’s Climate Security Act would provide a cap-and-trade strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent by 2050. In doing so, it establishes useful rules for investors and businesses, many of whom have been seeking clear, long-term U.S. goals to guide their decisions domestically and internationally.

Klobuchar is an original cosponsor of the America’s Climate Security Act, which is expected to be the building block for all future action that the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee takes this Congress. EPW is expected to mark-up the bill by mid-November.

Senator Klobuchar serves as a member on the EPW Committee and Senator Snowe has been on the forefront of climate change issues in the Senate since 2003 and in 2005 cochaired the International Climate Change Taskforce.

In June of 2008, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her support for the carbon counting cap-and-trade legislation. 

Klobuchar Says Climate Change Bill Offers America an Opportunity to Lead

Klobuchar's "carbon counter'' proposal is first title of historic climate change legislation

June 2, 2008

Washington, D.C. – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar said Congress can take practical, forward-looking steps to solve the challenge of global climate change and restore American leadership on environmental issues by adopting historic climate change legislation that comes before the Senate this week.

“From hunters in Hibbing to anglers on Leech Lake to snowmobilers all across Minnesota, people see the effect that climate change is having on our economy and our way of life,’’ Klobuchar said. “Minnesota has been a leader on conservation and renewable energy, but the time has come for national action. This is our opportunity to lead.’’

Klobuchar, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, authored legislation establishing a national registry of carbon emissions, a provision that is now the first title of the Climate Security Act. The registry is considered the first step toward a system to cap and reduce greenhouse gas pollution.

“You cannot solve a problem if you cannot measure it,’’ Klobuchar said. “Americans from all walks of life – from college students to corporate executives – are waiting for us to give them the tools to address climate change.’’

Klobuchar also noted that a strong, comprehensive national climate change policy could trigger a new wave of investment in renewable energy and conservation technology, creating thousands of good jobs in the “green economy.’’ She cited the example of the 1960s, when President Kennedy challenged the nation to put a man on the Moon and started a space program that ultimately created dozens of new industries and technologies.

“Climate change represents a world of challenges, but it also represents a universe of opportunities,’’ Klobuchar said. “If we set high standards, then investment, technology, innovation and jobs will come.’’

The Climate Security Act would set a national, science-based cap on carbon emissions, then use a “cap and trade’’ system to let the private sector reduce carbon emissions efficiently. It aims to reduce greenhouse gas pollution nearly 70 percent by the year 2050.

It has been endorsed by a broad coalition of business leaders and environmental groups, including Alcoa, General Electric, Pacific Gas & Electric, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the National Wildlife Fund and the Izaak Walton League of America.

Urging the Administration to Speak the Truth

In October of 2007, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her opposition to the Bush Administrations removal of lines from an environmental report on global warming.

Senator Klobuchar Calls on Administration to Speak the Truth on Climate Change

Klobuchar denounces Administration attempt to redact scientific facts from CDC testimony

October 25, 2007

Washington, D.C. – Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today joined Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in denouncing the Administration’s editing of crucial testimony on the “Human Health Effects of Global Warming” before the Environment and Public Works Committee. The Senators underscored the need for truth before Congress and the public regarding global warming, on one of the most important issues facing our nation.

Dr. Julie Gerberding, the Director of the Center for Disease Control, testified earlier this week before the Committee on the health effects of global warming. However, it was later revealed that much of her testimony was cut by the Bush Administration. According to the White House, that information was removed from Dr. Gerberding's testimony because it wasn't consistent with scientific findings. However, much of the redacted testimony is found in recent IPCC reports.

“In America, I believe our scientists and public health officers should be free to offer their honest views without fear or favor, especially when testifying to Congress,” said Klobuchar. “Director Geberding’s initial draft did present the facts. But the final testimony she gave fell short of that pledge because the White House eliminated discussion of the threats to public health posed by global warming. This is just the latest incident in what has been a pattern of this administration attempting to suppress science.”

Klobuchar specifically noted the connection between Dr. Gerberding’s redacted testimony and the severe climate conditions we’ve seen this year, including the drought in the South and the wildfires in the West.

Dr. Gerberding’s original testimony stated: “The west coast of the United States is expected to experience significant strains on water supplies as regional precipitation declines and mountain snowpacks are depleted. Forest fires are expected to increase in frequency, severity, distribution, and duration.” However, the Bush Administration redacted this text.

“As the wildfires rage out west, the Administration is censoring testimony back east,” said Klobuchar.

Senator Boxer has sent a letter to the President asking that a “full accounting” of the edits to Dr. Gerberding’s testimony be sent to the Environment and Public Works Committee, on which Klobuchar serves, by Monday, October 29.

Cellulosic Ethanol

In November of 2007, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting support for passage of a farm bill with cellulosic ethanol provisions.

Klobuchar Pushes for Farm Bill Passage

Strong safety net, homegrown energy initiatives would benefit Minnesota

November 16, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today voted in favor of cloture on the Farm Bill.

Senator Klobuchar made the following statement in support of passing the Bill:

“Under the leadership of Chairman Harkin, we had a bipartisan bill that passed out of our committee with nearly unanimous support. But now, some members are suddenly ready to plow this bill under.

“We can’t wait until next harvest to get this done. But with hundreds of amendments to the bill, many of which have nothing to do with farms, that’s how long it would take. Our rural economies, our farmers, ranchers, and workers are counting on us to get this bill done.

“I’m proud of this bill’s groundbreaking energy title, including provisions to promote cellulosic ethanol, expand E-85 pumps across our country, and increase use of bio-diesel.

“As oil hovers at $100 a barrel, we should be supporting the farmers and families of the Midwest by promoting homegrown energy.

“It also stalls our efforts toward real reform of payment and income limits.

“Some folks are willing to sacrifice the progress we’ve made and put this bill out to pasture. I’m not. I’m going to go home this weekend and talk to hundreds of farmers about the importance of our bill -- the safety net for farmers, the permanent disaster relief, the promotion of homegrown energy. I’m going to fight to get this bill done.”

State Efforts to Fight Global Warming

In January of 2008, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her support for allowing states to enact their own rules concerning carbon emissions.

Klobuchar Demands Better Performance by EPA on Climate Change

Tells agency to get out of the way of states fighting greenhouse gas emissions

January 24, 2008

Washington, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Thursday, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) chastised the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for blocking state efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and failing to discharge its duty to protect the environment.

“In my state, fighting climate change has not been a partisan issue,’’ Klobuchar said. “That’s why I’m so disappointed that we have a federal agency that has to be pushed and pushed to get it right. We shouldn’t need to have oversight hearings to ensure that our Environmental Protection Agency is actually protecting the environment. And we certainly shouldn’t have an Environmental Protection Agency that blocks states from choosing higher standards than the federal government.’’

Thursday’s hearing was called to review the EPA’s decision last month to deny a waiver to the state of California, which is seeking to set aggressive standards seeking to reduce vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.

Minnesota is among fifteen states that have joined California in a lawsuit to overturn the EPA’s decision.

Klobuchar recently attended a climate change forum in Ely, Minnesota, with explorer Will Steger and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty where a broad group of environmentalists, industry representatives and recreation enthusiasts agreed on the imperative to address climate change.

Klobuchar pointed out that courts have held that there is no conflict between new federal fuel-efficiency standards and additional state efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Your decision to deny California a waiver defies logic, disregards the law and discounts undisputed science,” Klobuchar said to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson, who testified at the hearing.

Klobuchar serves on the Environment and Public Works Committee, which recently passed the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act, which would provide a cap-and-trade strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent by 2050. A key provision of that bill is Klobuchar’s “carbon counter’’ proposal, which would establish a national registry of greenhouse gases so that industry has a basis to begin using the cap-and-trade system.

Klobuchar also serves on the Senate Commerce Committee, which negotiated new higher national vehicle fuel-efficiency standards, known as “CAFÉ’’ standards, as part of the 2007 Energy Bill signed into law last month by President Bush.

American Renewable Energy Act

In February of 2008, Senator Klobucahar released a press statement noting her sponsorship and introduction of the American Renewable Energy Act.

Senators Klobuchar, Snowe and Cantwell Introduce Bipartisan Renewable Energy Legislation

Renewable energy investments will promote economic growth, job creation and energy security

February 14, 2008

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced the American Renewable Energy Act today, a landmark bipartisan bill which includes long-term extensions for energy efficiency tax incentives and promotes further development of wind power and other renewable energy sources nationwide. Once enacted, the legislation would encourage new investments to create innovative opportunities for economic growth with “clean technology” businesses and “green-collar” jobs across the country.

“These are long-term investments in the American economy that will create new economic growth and jobs, and increase our energy security” said Klobuchar. “In addition to tax relief for the middle-class, we also need long-term policies that will spur innovation and drive economic growth for a strong economy. This package of renewable energy incentives does that.”

“The future of our energy security and economic vitality is at stake,” Snowe said. “This legislation lays the groundwork for a partnership that will produce more jobs and realistic energy alternatives. Working together, our businesses can become the engine that drives not just our economy, but our commitment to the clean technologies that our future will rely on.”

“By jumpstarting aggressive investment in new energy technologies, we can help invigorate our economy and create high-paying, long-term jobs,” said Cantwell, a member of the Senate Finance and Energy committees. “Predictable federal incentives and more private investment in the right technologies will help curb pollution, leave more money in consumers’ pockets, and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.”

The American Renewable Energy Act includes two key provisions:

First, it will create strong, consistent incentives for private sector investment in renewable energy by extending key renewable energy incentives, like the Production Tax Credit, for five years. These incentives are otherwise set to expire at the end of 2008. To pay for extending these renewable energy tax credits, the American Renewable Energy Act would rollback several tax giveaways to major oil companies.

The long-term credits for both wind and solar producers will provide businesses the clarity and certainty they need to make large-scale, forward looking capital investments in these technologies.

“In the last 10 years, these tax incentives have been allowed to expire three times, and it could happen again this year,” said Klobuchar. “We must stop this game of “red light, green light. This “stop start” approach is no way to run a business – and no way to run a government policy that’s supposed to promote long-term business investment.”

A second key provision of the legislation will establish an aggressive, nationwide renewable electricity standard that requires utility companies to produce at least 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by the year 2025. This aggressive national standard would revolutionize the renewable energy industry, increase America’s energy security, and create new industries and jobs across America.

“All that’s stopping America from realizing the dream of energy independence is the will to make it happen,” Snowe said. “We are faced with a very fundamental decision – we can either continue our ways of consuming without regard for the future or we can adopt a new, aggressive standard that will change the way our businesses work and our people live.”

“If we want to get beyond petroleum, we have to stop subsidizing it," Cantwell continued. "It is time to get to the heart of the matter and invest in renewable and alternative energy sources, and create new jobs and industries, that really will signify our energy independence.”

Bush Administration Undermining Climate Change

In February of 2008, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting that the Bush Administration was hindering efforts to fight climate change.

Klobuchar Blasts Administration for Undermining Efforts to Combat Climate Change

Administration's failure to establish greenhouse gas registry highlights the need for Klobuchar's bipartisan 'carbon counter' legislation

February 27, 2008

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today pressed the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Stephen Johnson, on the agency’s failure to move forward with establishing a national greenhouse gas registry. Because of the Administration’s inaction, Klobuchar’s “carbon counter” provision in the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act becomes central to implement a registry – a step regarded as central to the success of future efforts to reduce greenhouse gas pollution.

“How can you claim that a ‘solid foundation’ to combat climate change has been built when your agency does not have accurate data on greenhouse gas emissions?” Klobuchar asked. “I’ve been involved in public policy long enough to know that you can’t change or fix something unless you can accurately measure and monitor it.”

Klobuchar pressed Johnson at an Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on how these misplaced spending priorities in the EPA’s 2009 budget will hurt local communities, the environment, and efforts to combat climate change.

A climate registry like Klobuchar’s legislation enjoys broad support in the U.S. business community with companies like General Motors, Johnson & Johnson, and General Electric viewing it as a critical need. Businesses have stated that a national registry is the key to help assess the risks of capital investment decisions and spur aggressive investment in research and development. It would accelerate investment in zero and low-emitting technologies and energy efficiency that will spur new industries and create new “green collar” jobs.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed Klobuchar’s provision last December as part of the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act. The greenhouse gas registry is seen by many experts as the foundation for any successful climate change legislation that seeks to implement a cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Senator Klobuchar worked closely with Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to include funding for a national greenhouse gas registry in the FY 2008 Omnibus appropriations bill, H.R. 2764 as a temporary solution until the Lieberman-Warner bill passes the full Senate.

President Bush's recently proposed budget for FY 2009, released on February 4, 2007, failed to continue funding for the registry. Klobuchar said that she expects the EPA to move forward implementing a greenhouse gas registry with the money allocated in the FY 2008 omnibus bill and said she will do whatever it takes to secure additional funds going forward for this vital legislation.

Oil Profits

In April of 2008, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her opposition to oil profits and the desire to see the government take that money and use it for renewable energy sources.

Klobuchar Blasts Massive Oil Profits

Says record energy prices show need for investment in renewable energy and an end to oil tax loopholes

April 1, 2008

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar said today that soaring gasoline prices and oil company profits are proof that the country needs to reduce its dependence on foreign oil and increase production of clean, renewable fuels.

Klobuchar’s remarks came on a day when executives from the five biggest U.S. oil companies testified on Capitol Hill about oil prices that have topped $100 per barrel for several weeks. Gasoline set a record of $3.29 per gallon this week and U.S. oil companies recorded a profit of $123 billion in 2007.

“It’s time to stop the tax giveaways to big oil and invest that money in homegrown, renewable energy,’’ Klobuchar said. “Renewable fuels can save money for consumers and wean us from foreign oil, while also creating new jobs and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.’’

Floor Speech - Global Warming

Earth Day - Call to Action

In April of 2008, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her speech on Earth day and her call to action on global warming.

Klobuchar Says Time Has Come for Action on Global Climate Change

Earth Day speech calls climate change a challenge and an opportunity for America to lead

April 22, 2008

Washington, D.C. – In a Senate floor speech to commemorate Earth Day, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar said global climate change is the most pressing environmental challenge facing the world today and said Congress will have an historic opportunity this spring to pass legislation that would reduce greenhouse gas pollution and produce a healthier planet. Klobuchar’s speech was the first of a series she will be giving in the coming weeks outlining the opportunity before Congress to take leadership in addressing climate change and creating the clean-energy economy of the future.

“On this Earth Day, we should remember that, while global climate change is a huge challenge, it also presents huge opportunities, it gives us the opportunity to develop new technologies, new jobs and new industries. It gives us the opportunity to reduce our dependence on foreign oil – which just hit another record of $118 per barrel this week. It gives us an opportunity to give consumers new, cheaper alternatives to fossil fuels. It is an opportunity we must seize now.”

Consumer First Energy Act of 2008

In June of 2008, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her support for effort to better regulate the energy speculation market to control costs.

Klobuchar Pushes for Energy Price Relief Through Crackdown on Market Speculation

Cosponsors legislation on oil markets and energy independence; vows to keep fighting for consumers

June 10, 2008

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar voted today for legislation she cosponsored that would bring consumers relief at the gas pump by cracking down on speculation in world energy markets, while also developing long-term renewable energy sources to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.

“People all across Minnesota are feeling the squeeze of unprecedented gas prices,’’ Klobuchar said. “Meanwhile, the experts tell us that energy markets have become a gambling hall where rampant speculation is driving up the price of energy. At times like this, consumers need their government to make sure that markets are fair, honest and transparent.’’

The market reform provisions were contained in the Consumer First Energy Act of 2008. The bill won the support of a majority of Senators voting today, 50-44, but procedural rules required 60 votes to move the legislation forward.

“Consumers need action in Washington to bring them relief from the energy squeeze,’’ Klobuchar said. “I will keep working until we get strong legislation to ensure that federal regulators are exercising real vigilance to protect consumers against speculation and market manipulation.’’

In April Klobuchar wrote U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, urging him to create an Oil and Gas Market Fraud Task Force to investigate the causes of skyrocketing petroleum prices. In the wake of the Enron scandal, the Department of Justice established a Corporate Fraud Task Force, which produced more than 1,000 convictions by aggressively prosecuting corporate fraud. Klobuchar and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) proposed that the Corporate Fraud Task Force be expanded to include oil and gas markets specifically.

Klobuchar also has written the Administration asking that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission intensify its supervision of energy market trading, including trades placed in foreign exchanges to avoid U.S. regulation, and increase the amount of cash that margin traders must put down on speculative energy investments. The Commission announced last month that it has opened an investigation into possible energy market manipulation.

The Consumer First Energy Act would have amended the Commodity Exchange Act to impose new reporting requirements on energy traders and prevent traders of U.S. crude oil from routing transactions through offshore markets to evade restrictions on speculative trading. The bill also would have required the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to substantially increase the margin requirement on crude-oil futures trades as a way of limiting speculative trading.

Another provision of the bill would have amended the Sherman Antitrust Act to give the U.S. Attorney General authority to bring legal action against foreign governments, such as members of OPEC, who engage in collusion to raise prices. And it would have given the federal government authority to impose civil and criminal penalties for gasoline price-gouging under certain circumstances.

At a time of record oil company profits, the bill also would have created a windfall profits tax on the oil and gas industry. But that provision would have encouraged the development of homegrown renewable energy by specifically exempting profits that are reinvested in clean, renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar energy.

Carbon Registry

In September of 2008, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting growing support for a carbon registry. 

Klobuchar's Greenhouse Gas Registry Measure Gains Momentum

Says Passage of Carbon Counter Bill is a Critical First Step in Combating Climate Change

September 18, 2008

Washington, D.C. – U. S. Senator Amy Klobuchar’s legislation to establish a National Greenhouse Gas Registry cleared a major legislative hurdle when the measure was passed by the Committee on Environment and Public Works. The bill would create a national system for measuring greenhouse gas emissions, a crucial first step to combat climate chance.

“I’ve been involved in public policy long enough to know that you can’t fix a problem if you can’t measure it accurately,’’ Klobuchar said. “Today’s vote goes a long way to making sure we have full and accurate information about the sources and amounts of greenhouse gas pollution.”

The national carbon registry provision, which Klobuchar authored with Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), would require the Environmental Protection Agency to collect comprehensive carbon emissions data from every facility in the country that emits more than 10,0000 metric tons of greenhouse gases per year. Klobuchar introduced the bill in May of 2007 and it passed out of the Environment and Public Works Committee as the first title of the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2007. The Committee today passed it as a standalone bill in an attempt to pass it before Congress adjourns.

Currently 39 states have established various forms of carbon registries, but there is no one comprehensive national registry. Klobuchar said the current system results in incomplete and inconsistent data, which undermines the effort to establish a comprehensive, national mechanism to cap and reduce carbon emissions. The Lieberman-Warner bill would require significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, using a “cap and trade’’ system that allows the private sector to achieve reductions efficiently using market forces.

Last year, a group of leading business executives, including representatives of DuPont, Duke Energy, Boston Scientific, General Electric and Alcoa, testified before the Environment and Public Works Committee about the dangers of global warming and asked Congress to pass a comprehensive, science-based system to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Klobuchar also noted that comprehensive climate change legislation has the potential to create thousands of good new jobs by triggering investments in clean, renewable energy and energy-conservation technology.

A study last year by the Apollo Alliance found that a comprehensive strategy to develop conservation technologies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions could create as many as three million new jobs in the next decade.

“The question we face is this: Does the United States want to be a leader in creating the new green technologies and the new green jobs of the future? I’m determined that we will be a leader,’’ Klobuchar said. “By adopting strong, sensible climate change legislation, we can open the door to a world of opportunities for jobs and investment in clean, alternative energy.’’

Energy Speech

In July of 2008, Senator Klobuchar spoke on the Senate floor about energy policy.

Tax Credits for Energy

In September of 2008, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her support for tax incentives structured to foster development in renewable energy.

Klobuchar Votes for Senate Package of Alternative Energy Tax Credits

Klobuchar-backed Measure Passes Senate

September 23, 2008

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar voted today to move the nation onto a cleaner, more secure energy path by extending a package of tax credits to promote clean energy. The measure extends several tax credits that were set to expire. The credits, which will help create new jobs in America’s struggling economy, were part of legislation Senator Klobuchar originally introduced earlier in the year, the American Renewable Energy Act.

“These investments in the American economy will create new economic growth, and increase our energy security,” said Klobuchar. “We must regain world leadership in renewable-energy research and investment – the market alone will not achieve the goal without clear standards and incentives from the federal government.”

Klobuchar has said that climate change is a pressing environmental challenge, but also an important opportunity for the United States to develop state-of-the-art technology and high-skilled jobs in renewable energy industries.

The measure creates incentives for private sector investment in renewable energy by extending key renewable energy incentives, like the Production Tax Credit. The long-term credits for investments in wind, solar and fuel-cell technologies will provide businesses the clarity and certainty they need to make large-scale, forward looking capital investments in these technologies.

Other key provisions include extending the tax credit for energy-efficient properties through 2014, a tax credit for qualified plug-in electric vehicles, and an extension for one year of the production tax credit for cellulosic biofuels.

Earlier this year, Senator Klobuchar sponsored two pieces of legislation to ensure the continuation of these job-creating and environment-saving extension measures.

Support for State Emission Standards

In January of 2009, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her support for an Obama administration decision to let states limit greenhouse emissions.

Klobuchar Hails Obama Decision on Emissions Standards

Says fighting climate change vital to U.S. economy, environment and national security

January 26, 2009

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement in response to President Obama’s announcement today that he has directed the Environment Protection Agency to reconsider a request by California and other states, including Minnesota to impose its own strict limits on automobile carbon dioxide emissions. California, Minnesota and 14 other states sued the federal government last year after the Bush Administration denied their request to be able to implement higher car emissions.

“Allowing states to raise fuel economy standards will go a long way towards reducing our dependence on foreign oil and helping middle class families save money. Our environment, economy and national security depend on our ability to take aggressive action and today’s announcement by the President is a big step in the right direction.”

At a hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in early 2008, Klobuchar chastised the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Stephen Johnson, for blocking state efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and failing to discharge its duty to protect the environment.

Minnesota is among sixteen states that have joined California in a lawsuit to overturn the EPA’s decision.

Klobuchar pointed out that courts have held that there is no conflict between new federal fuel-efficiency standards and additional state efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“The past Administration’s decision to deny California a waiver defied logic, disregarded the law and discounted undisputed science,” said Klobuchar.

Klobuchar serves on the Environment and Public Works Committee, which passed the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act, which would provide a cap-and-trade strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent by 2050. A key provision of that bill was Klobuchar’s “carbon counter’’ proposal, which would establish a national registry of greenhouse gases so that industry has a basis to begin using the cap-and-trade system.

Support for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standard

In March of 2009, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her support for a cap-and-trade program and a greenhouse gas emission standard.

Senators Klobuchar, Feinstein, Boxer and Snowe Applaud EPA's Draft Rule-Making to Establish Greenhouse Gas Emissions Registry

March 10, 2009

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN.), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) today applauded the move by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a draft rule-making to establish an economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions registry, an essential first step towards a cap-and-trade system to reduce emissions.

According to EPA, approximately 85-90 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, from approximately 13,000 facilities, would be covered by the proposed rule. The reporting requirements generally would apply to facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

“This was the first bill I introduced in Congress and I am glad that the new EPA recognized that we need to get this done,” said Klobuchar. “In order to put a system in place to reduce greenhouse gases we must have an accurate way to monitor, verify and report greenhouse gas emissions. This registry is a crucial building block to the policy changes we need to make.”

“President Obama, in his first budget proposal, has laid out a framework for an economy-wide cap-and-trade system to curb our nation’s emissions, designed to take effect in 2012. But before we can implement the President’s proposal or any other cap-and-trade system, we need accurate reporting data on all major facilities that emit greenhouse gas emissions – and that is exactly what this registry would provide,” said Senator Feinstein, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior and Environment. “I applaud EPA Administrator Jackson for taking this first important step in the fight against global warming.”

Senator Boxer, chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, said: “A reliable accounting of carbon emissions is the first important step in any program to address global warming. This registry lays the foundation for effective carbon emissions reductions.”

“If the U.S. has no system for counting carbon emissions, there cannot be an effective method for reducing emissions,” Senator Snowe said. “A national greenhouse gas registry is a necessary first step and a crucial precursor to both a mandatory and market-based carbon cap and trade regulation of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. The European experience with an over allocation of allowances illustrated the fundamental nature of a registry and applaud the EPA for moving expeditiously to establish one here in the United States.”

Senators Klobuchar and Snowe introduced legislation in the 110th Congress that would authorize a greenhouse gas registry with specific parameters. Senators Feinstein and Boxer were the lead authors of a provision that provided $3.5 million to the Environmental Protection Agency for the agency to develop and publish a rule establishing a greenhouse gas emissions registry for all sectors of the U.S. economy, no later than June 26, 2009. The measure was signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 110-161).

Reporting Requirements

Following are the reporting requirements in the draft rule-making, as announced by EPA today:

• Require suppliers of fossil fuels or industrial greenhouse gases, manufacturers of vehicles and engines, and facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per year to submit annual reports to EPA.

85-90\\\% of total national U.S. GHG emissions, from approximately 13,000 facilities, would be covered by the proposed rule.

The vast majority of small businesses would fall below the 25,000 metric ton threshold and would not be required to report GHG emissions to EPA.

In addition, most emission sources from the agriculture sector would not be required to report emissions, except for fewer than 50 very large manure management systems EPA modeled that meet the threshold.

• The first annual report would be submitted to EPA in 2011, for the calendar year 2010, except for vehicle and engine manufacturers, which would begin reporting for model year 2011.
• EPA would be responsible for verifying the data.
• EPA estimates the average cost of reporting under this proposed rule would be approximately $0.04 per metric ton.

Climate Change is Economic Opportunity

In April of 2009, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her opinion that global warming offered an economic opportunity.

On Earth Day, Klobuchar Says Challenge of Climate Change Presents Enormous Opportunities

Introduces legislation to help families and small businesses "go green"

April 22, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Today, to commemorate Earth Day, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar joined the National Wildlife Federation to speak out about the importance of stopping the affects of climate change, attended a Senate hearing on how to improve the energy efficiency of government buildings and introduced bi-partisan legislation to help families and small businesses implement money-saving alternative energy technologies in their homes and places of business.

“Earth Day is a reminder that we are stewards of the world and it is our responsibility to protect our natural resources for future generations,” said Klobuchar. “The challenge of climate change presents enormous opportunities – opportunities to create new jobs, to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and to protect our fish, wildlife and natural resources.”

Speaking at a press conference to raise awareness of the affects climate change is having on America’s outdoor sportsmen. Klobuchar was joined at the press conference by representatives from the National Wildlife Federation.

“Make no mistake, climate change is having an impact on our environment – and on our sportsmen,” said Klobuchar. “As I’ve traveled across Minnesota, I’ve had hunters and fishermen approach me concerned about what’s happening. We need to protect the wonderful outdoors and natural resources we enjoy – and key to that is tackling the issue of climate change.”

At a hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Klobuchar discussed on-going efforts to improve energy efficiency in federal buildings. Klobuchar spoke about the importance of incorporating energy efficiency measures in federal buildings and cited Minnesota’s Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, which the General Services Administration is converting to a high-performance green building.

“Conservation, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and developing and advancing innovative technologies can help the United States compete, and move our economy forward in the 21st century,” said Klobuchar.

Senator Klobuchar also announced today that she has introduced bi-partisan legislation with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) to assist people who want to invest in energy conservation and alternative energy technologies and help set the nation on a path toward energy independence by providing additional loan authority to support current federal programs that help families and small businesses finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements.

“We need to make it easier for families and small businesses to harness new technology to improve energy efficiency and put our country on a path to energy independence, while leaving more money in consumers’ pockets,” said Senator Klobuchar. “While we need a comprehensive, long-term energy policy, these programs will help families and small businesses make that critical first step of investing in homegrown energy.”

Securing America’s Future with Energy and Sustainable Technologies Act (SAFEST)

In July of 2010, Senator Klobuchar released a press statement noting her support for the SAFEST program.

Klobuchar and Johnson Introduce Legislation to Promote Domestic Energy Production

Bill would strengthen rural economies and spur innovation in the energy sector

July 14, 2010

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced legislation today with Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) that focuses on developing and deploying safe, reliable domestically grown and produced energy. The Securing America’s Future with Energy and Sustainable Technologies Act (SAFEST) establishes strong renewable energy and energy efficiency standards, incentives for developing biofuels and biofuel infrastructure, and targets for the availability of advanced vehicle technologies.

“The strength of our nation is tied to the strength of our energy economy,” Klobuchar said. “Not only are we still dependent on foreign oil, other countries are making great strides in developing clean energy technologies. With the ingenuity of American farmers and manufacturers, we have the ability to be the global leader in energy. This bill will provide incentives that can boost our economy and help us secure our energy future.”

“This bill will boost the economy by replacing imported oil with homegrown biofuels and renewable energy. Jobs will be created across the entire economy to produce parts and components for wind farms and by manufacturing vehicles that can run on higher blends of renewable fuels. It’s a win for energy security and economic security,” said Johnson.

According to the Energy Information Administration, the United States currently imports 60 percent of the oil it consumes on a daily basis, which equals hundreds of billions of dollars a year spent on foreign oil. In light of the worst oil spill in U.S. history, reliance on oil poses a risk to the nation’s economy and natural resources. Additionally, 2009 marked the first year that the United States was overtaken by China as the leader in clean energy investments. China has established strong energy standards and clean energy targets that have strengthened its economy, with the development of a strong manufacturing base and export market for new clean energy technologies.

The Klobuchar-Johnson legislation would develop American homegrown energy technologies by providing long-term incentives for the development of renewable fuels, renewable electricity, and increased energy efficiency. Specifically, the legislation would:

• Establish a strong renewable electricity standard of 25 percent renewable energy by 2025

• • A strong energy efficiency resource standard (1 percent per year)
• • A long-term extension of tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel
• • New incentives for biofuels infrastructure and deployment
• • Targets for the availability of advanced vehicle technologies

In addition to reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil, the bill would have a positive economic impact. The American Council for Energy Efficiency estimates that the national energy efficiency resource standard in the bill would create energy bill savings of $168.6 billion by 2020, enough energy to power approximately one-third of all households in the United States. Recent studies indicate that the renewable electricity standard in the bill could create more than a quarter-of-a-million new jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent in 2020.

The domestic biofuels industry employs 500,000 farmers, producers, and processors. The long-term tax incentives and new provisions for biofuels infrastructure included in the bill are expected to create jobs, provide an economic boost to rural communities, and significantly reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

The SAFEST bill has been endorsed by Growth Energy, the American Wind Energy Association, the Renewable Fuels Association, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, the National Corn Growers Association, the National Farmers Union, American Soybean Association, and the National Biodiesel Board.

Official Website Statements

Homegrown Energy

The rising price of energy for our homes, vehicles, and businesses is one of the top issues affecting the family checkbook.

These prices not only hurt our families, they also hurt our economy. Our dependence on foreign oil threatens our national security. I want to put America back in control of our energy supply. We need to chart a new energy course - one that creates jobs, reduces our dependence on foreign oil, and slows the changes to our climate.

Our energy future must be based on a combination of homegrown energy resources, advanced energy technologies, and high-efficiency vehicles, buildings and appliances, along with safe nuclear energy and expanded domestic fuel production. In Minnesota, we have the talent and know-how to innovate and the natural resources to propel our economy forward. I believe this is a great opportunity to meet our nation's energy demands and promote economic development across America.

As your Senator, I am focused on the following:

• Developing the next generation of energy-saving technologies. As a member of the Commerce Committee, I worked on the 2007 Energy Bill, which included incentives for the development of new, more efficient consumer technologies. From the next generation of hybrid and plug-in vehicles, to higher efficiency standards for appliances, to incentives for the design and construction of high-performance energy-efficient buildings, these incentives are designed to reduce energy bills and save consumers money. I also supported the inclusion of tax credits for energy efficient products in the emergency stimulus package that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush in October 2008. These credits cover up to 30 percent of the cost (up to $1,500) for home owners who install energy efficient products such as new efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment. For more information about tax credits for energy efficient cars and products, please visit the department of Energy's website: Department of Energy
• Helping consumers save money on home energy costs. The Weatherization Assistance Program is an important tool in reducing home energy costs. According to the National Association for State Community Services Programs, for every dollar spent, the Weatherization Program returns $2.72 in energy and non-energy benefits over the life of the weatherized home. In the 110th Congress, I co-sponsored the Warm-in-Winter and Cool-in-Summer Act, which called for additional funds for home energy assistance (LIHEAP) programs. I also supported inclusion of increased funding for weatherization in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which has provided the State of Minnesota with over $220 million. For more information about how Recovery Act funds can help make your business or home more energy efficient, please visit Minnesota's Office of Energy Security Website: Minnesota's Office of Energy Security
• Creating stable incentives for the private sector to invest in renewable energy. I authored legislation, the American Renewable Energy Act of 2008, along with Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), which included provisions to extend Production Tax Credits for renewable energy. I was pleased that a four year extension of these credits was included in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and the American Renewable Energy Act of 2009. These bills also include an eight year extension of tax credits for consumers who wish to purchase solar, wind, and geothermal systems to heat and power their homes.
• Expanding the market for homegrown biofuels. As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, I worked to ensure that the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 included provisions requiring an increase in biofuel production by 2022 -- requiring that 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels be used by the year 2022, starting with 8.5 billion gallons by 2008. The current requirement is 7.5 billion gallons by 2012, a goal the country is expected to exceed. The legislation includes research on ethanol pipelines, quality standards for biodiesel, and loan guarantees for advanced biofuels facilities.
• Helping our farmers move to the next generation of farm-based biofuels. On the Agriculture Committee, I took the lead on efforts to advance the nation to a new group of biofuels - cellulosic ethanol made from dedicated energy crops like prairie grass and alfalfa, and from agricultural residues and wood chips. Working with Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Kent Conrad (D-ND), I introduced the Farm-to-Fuel Investment Act, which offers incentives to farmers to grow dedicated energy crops on marginal farmland. This initiative was eventually included in the Energy Title of the 2008 Farm Bill and became law in May of 2008. Cellulosic ethanol made from native, perennial prairie grasses has the potential to provide our country with an alternative motor fuel, while protecting our soil and water quality and providing wildlife habitat.
• Making ethanol and biodiesel available to more drivers. I have fought successfully in the Senate to expand the availability of renewable fuels all over the country to provide additional markets for Minnesota's producers. The Energy Independence and Security Act, which was enacted in December of 2007, includes $200 million annually to install ethanol and biodiesel pumps in gas stations across the country. In addition, my "Right to Retail Renewable Fuels" amendment will put a stop to oil company tactics used to block the sale of renewable fuels at their franchise gas stations.
• Expanding demand for producers of renewable energy. I introduced an updated version (S. 826) of the American Renewable Energy Act from the 110th Congress, which includes portions that didn't pass in the last Congress The updated bill sets a national renewable energy standard, requiring utilities to obtain 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by the year 2025. This provision is modeled after Minnesota's "25 by 25" law, which requires that 25 percent of electricity come from renewable sources by 2025. Minnesota's strong leadership demonstrates that, far from hurting an economy, well-designed policies can actually stimulate innovation and investment leading to new economic growth. States like Minnesota have been leading the way, but that is no excuse for inaction by the federal government.
• Expanding domestic energy production. I believe we should increase development of advanced biofuels and provide increased consumer access to these fuels. In addition, we should provide incentives for other domestic energy resources such as hydro, geothermal and wind power as well as increased offshore drilling where appropriate, new coal technologies, and safe nuclear power. As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Agriculture Committee, and Commerce Committee, I am working to make sure that energy legislation increases domestic production without increasing costs for middle class families.
• Finding a bipartisan solution to create more homegrown energy. Creating our new energy future is going to require all Americans to join together to bring about change -- which is why I joined a bipartisan group of Senators that supported a proposal to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil, invest in domestic sources of energy and strengthen our economy. 

Environment & Conservation

Environmental stewardship is part of Minnesota's heritage - and it's part of my own family heritage too. Like most Minnesotans, I grew up in a family that values the outdoors. My grandfather from northern Minnesota was an avid hunter. My dad is a bicyclist, mountain climber and all-around outdoorsman, and my mom always liked to fish and hike. I remember packing up our family car as a young girl and heading up north and out west for our camping trips.

We need to protect this natural land, water, and habitat so that our children and their children can experience it just as we once did.

As a Senator, and as a member of the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee, I believe a major part of my job includes ensuring that we have the right policies to protect the wonderful outdoors and natural resources we enjoy in Minnesota - our lakes, rivers and wetlands, our forests and prairies, our wildlife habitats and abundant farmland. These are all part of what makes Minnesota such a special place for everyone.

Enjoying the outdoors is part of what Minnesotans are all about. It is our responsibility to pass on this Minnesota way of life to the next generation with responsible stewardship over our natural resources and smart policies that allow our fishing and hunting industries to thrive. Responsible conservation policies are also vital to the health and prosperity of our communities. That is why I am dedicated to promoting responsible land use policies that preserve our farmlands, reduce flooding dangers, and keep our air and water clean.

And this is not only about Minnesota. It is about the earth's climate. There is now a scientific consensus that climate change is having a dramatic impact on our world. The potential damage and costs involved in climate change could be substantial. At the same time the challenge of climate change presents opportunities. The United States must help take the lead in responding.

As Minnesota’s U.S. Senator, these are my environmental and conservation priorities:

• Keeping our air and water clean. Minnesota has some of the highest pollution control standards in the country. I believe our federal standards should be equally strong. People throughout Minnesota are concerned about the negative impact of mercury contamination and other pollutants that affect our public health and natural resources. Because pollution does not stop at state lines, we need stronger federal standards to match Minnesota's.
• Strengthening our water infrastructure. Providing communities with clean drinking water and flood protection is critical. Across Minnesota, many rural communities are unable to shoulder the financial burden of upgrading or reconstructing key infrastructure projects. While in Washington, I will make sure that we invest in the proper infrastructure to keep communities strong and help them continue to grow
• Protecting the Great Lakes. Minnesota is home to Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes and the largest freshwater lake in the world. Lake Superior and the Great Lakes as a whole are vital to Minnesota's environment and economy. It is imperative that we keep our shipping industry moving while pursuing responsible dredging policies that keep our waters clean, and clear of invasive species. Working with members from both parties, I have secured funds to keep invasive Asian Carp out of Minnesota's rivers and lakes.
• Preserve open spaces and native wildlife. I will fight for land use policies that preserve our open spaces, farmlands and hunting lands while protecting vital wetlands - so we can maintain important wildlife habitats and reduce flooding dangers.
• Combating climate change. The science is clear about what must be done to combat climate change. We need to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As a first step, I introduced legislation to establish a national greenhouse gas registry. I also support a comprehensive approach that would reduce emissions and promote the development of homegrown energy resources and technologies. This is a good opportunity for our state and our nation.

Voting Record

Oil Company and Alternative Energy Subsidies

On March 29, 2012 the Senate voted on a cloture motion on legislation to end subsidies to oil companies and to continue subsidies in alternative energy that are scheduled to end. Specifically, the bill would have ended or limited subsidies to oil and natural gas companies while extending subsides for wind companies and biofuel companies. The legislation failed to pass a cloture motion through a mostly party line vote. Amy Klobuchar voted in favor of ending oil subsidies.

Keystone Pipeline Approval

In March of 2012, the Senate voted on an amendment proposed by Senator Hoeven to approve the Keystone pipeline project. The amendment passed 56-42 with the support of all Republicans and 1/5 of the Democrats. Amy Klobuchar voted against approving the Keystone Pipeline project.

Keystone Pipeline - Presidential Waiver

In March of 2012, the Senate voted on an amendment proposed by Senator Wyden to prohibit oil produced in Canada and transported in any part of the Keystone pipeline from being exported unless the President waived the provision. The amendment failed 33-65 with the opposition of all Republicans and 2/5 of the Democrats. Amy Klobuchar voted in favor of approving presidential waiver to the Keystone pipeline.

Cap and Trade

Cap and Trade is the name given to a government program to issue carbon credits to all companies. The company is limited to using only the amount of carbon issued to them by the government (the cap). If a company uses more, it can purchase additional carbon offsets from a company that has not used all their credits, or it can purchase credits from compainies which perform carbon offsets such as planting trees (the trade). The legislation passed the house but not enough senators supported the legislation to end a filibuster in the Senate. To prevent Senate Democrats from using a reconciliation technique to pass the bill with only 50 votes, Senate Republicans introduced an amendment stating oppositon to the use of reconciliation for cap and trade. The amendment passed with the support of all Republicans and about 2/3 of the Democrats. Amy Klobuchar voted in favor of the amendment and thus opposed using reconciliation to pass cap-and-trade.

Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008

In September of 2008, The US Senate passed the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008. The Act created tax incentives for energy production and conservation. The bill was largely supported by the Democrats and largely opposed by the Republicans. The bill passed the House'); echo(' in May of 2008, and passed the Senate with widespread support in a 93-2 vote. Amy Klobuchar voted in favor of the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008.

Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007

Among other things, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007 removed oil & gas exploration subsidies. The bill passed the House in January and passed the Senate in June. In the House, the bill was supported by almost all Democrats and opposed by a majority of Republicans. After passing the House, the bill got the support of most Democrats and roughly half of the Republicans, passing in a 65-27 vote. Amy Klobuchar voted in favor of the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007.

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

A bill to designate a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness - Cosponsor

Amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to designate a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System under the Wilderness Act.

Cleaner, Greener, and Smarter Act of 2009 - Cosponsor

Calls for the enactment of legislation to improve the economy and the security of the United States by reducing U.S. dependence on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and the risks of global warming by: (1) making and encouraging significant investments in green job creation and clean energy across the economy; (2) diversifying and rapidly expanding the use of secure, efficient, and environmentally friendly energy supplies and technologies; (3) transforming U.S. infrastructure to make the infrastructure sustainable and the United States more competitive globally, including transmission grid modernization and transportation sector electrification; (4) requiring reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the United States and achieving reductions in emissions of GHGs abroad; (5) protecting consumers from volatile energy prices through better market oversight and enhanced energy efficiency standards and incentives; and (6) eliminating wasteful and unnecessary tax breaks and giveaways that fail to move the United States toward a more competitive and cleaner energy future.

Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2010 - Cosponsor

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize and extend funding for FY2012-FY2016 a grant program for reducing diesel emissions. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) provide contracts and rebates to eligible entities to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions; and (2) support rebate programs administered by states that are designed to achieve such reductions.

GREEN Jobs Act of 2010 - Cosponsor

Grow Renewable Energy from Ethanol Naturally Jobs Act of 2010 or the GREEN Jobs Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2015 the income and excise tax credits for alcohol used as fuel, the cellulosic biofuel producer tax credit, and the reduced credit for ethanol blenders. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend until 2016 the additional tariff on ethyl alcohol blends (ethanol) used as fuel.

Climate Change and International Commitments - Cosponsor

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the need for the United States to address global climate change through the negotiation of fair and effective international commitments.

Reducing Global Warming Pollution from Vehicles Act of 2008 - Cosponsor

Amends the Clean Air Act to approve the application of the state of California for a waiver of federal preemption of its motor vehicle emission standards.

Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act - Cosponsor

A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, and for other purposes.

America's Climate Security Act of 2007 - Cosponsor

A bill to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases, and for other purposes.

High-Performance Green Buildings Act of 2007 - Cosponsor

A bill to improve efficiency in the Federal Government through the use of high-performance green buildings, and for other purposes.

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