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State Fair

2007 State Fair Featured Initiative: Carbon Buster

Everywhere I go in our state people are ready to take the energy challenge. They are tired of high energy prices, oil company record profits, and hundreds of thousands of dollars a minute going to foreign oil. Minnesotans are looking for ways to save energy dollars, reduce global warming and add jobs through homegrown Minnesota energy. Join me in taking the energy challenge to save money in our homes and on the road, improve our environment and reduce our dependency on foreign oil.

• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs
• Wash your clothes in cold water
• Use a programmable thermostat
• Turn off electronics and lights when you leave a room
• Insulate your attic and walls to minimize heat loss
• Install energy efficient windows

Take the Minnesota Energy Challenge at: www.mnenergychallenge.org

Carbon Buster Award Winners:

Recently, while visiting a high-performance energy-efficient "green" building in Bloomington, MN, I had the honor of presenting the first "Carbon Buster Awards of Excellence," showcasing local efforts to combat global warming and climate change.

QBP (Quality Bicycle Products) was awarded my 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. 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) also received my Carbon Buster Award for the work this Minnesota nonprofit organization does to promote the responsible and efficient use of natural and economic resources.

One of the ways CEE has taken an active role is by sponsoring 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.

About the Awards:

How can potential recipients be nominated for a "Carbon Buster" Award of Excellence?

E-mail or mail our office with nominations of a person, organization, business, or governmental unit for a "Carbon Buster Award." These awards are based on an individual's or organization's efforts to reduce global warming and combat climate change. We also welcome submissions of student work--essays, podcasts, and videos on the topic of reducing global warming. We will post the winners of the carbon buster awards on this website.

How will the recipients of the Carbon Buster Award of Excellence be Determined?

Awards will be given to innovators-local government, businesses, non-profits, and individuals- who have taken significant steps to lower greenhouse gas emissions in their communities. Criteria will include cost effectiveness, the projected amount that greenhouse gases were lowered, and applicability to a broader base of applications.

Students, in particular, are encouraged to apply. We hope their applications will utilize creative presentations, such as two- or three-dimensional media to raise awareness about global warming. Media might include, but is not be limited to, audio/visual (e.g., YouTube), posters/artwork, theater/music or essay.

A volunteer selection committee, including Senator Klobuchar, will judge the entrants.

What will recipients of the Carbon Buster Award receive?

Recipients will receive a certificate commemorating the award, a news release detailing the efforts of the award recipient, and the opportunity to meet with Senator Klobuchar to honor the award winners and highlight their achievements.

How can my business or group be nominated?

Nominations may be made at any time and must include a cover letter that includes the name of the contact person and a brief narrative of why this entity deserves this award. Any other information that is deemed essential should be included.

How can student nominations be submitted?

Students may submit their entries at any time.

Nominations can be emailed to carbonbuster@klobuchar.senate.gov or mailed to:

Office of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
Carbon Buster Nominations
1200 Washington Avenue South, Suite 250
Minneapolis, MN 55415