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Franken gathers input in preparation of next Energy Title

U.S. Senator Al Franken is gathering input as he prepares to help write energy legislation that is sure to impact rural America.

The Minnesota Democrat hosted a roundtable discussion in Mankato last week with various state commodity groups represented.

Franken, who co-wrote the last Farm Bill energy title, says he has a lot of information to take back to his colleagues in the Senate.

“Those on the Ag Committee (and) those on the Energy Committee.  When discussing this bill, it gave me a couple ideas in terms of things to make sure stay in this.  We wrote (the bill) pretty carefully.”

Franken has unveiled some of the funding details in his proposed Energy Title and is looking to invest more in the Rural Energy for America, or REAP program.

“Which Minnesota farmers (and) rural areas take advantage of.  These are loans or grants for renewable energy projects or energy efficiency projects that farmers and rural businesses take advantage of.”

Franken also recently introduced the Advancing Grid Storage Act, legislation he says creates jobs and helps strengthen U.S. energy infrastructure.