REDWOOD FALLS -- Even as Redwood Falls celebrated the saving of 180 jobs in its electronics industry, discussion turned to what many believe will be the biggest force in rural Minnesota's future economic growth.
"The transformation of rural America,'' is how U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., described the potential for the development of an agriculture-based, renewable energy industry.
Peterson told an audience of over 200 in Redwood Falls that he believes the "next generation" of ethanol production will focus on cellulose production. The Congressman will be chairman of the House Agriculture Committee when the Democrats become the majority with the start of the new session. He pledged to continue his push for renewable energy in the farm bill that will be drafted in 2007.
Peterson praised Governor Tim Pawlenty for his recent statements urging that utilities produce 25 of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025. Both Peterson and Pawlenty shared the stage at the event to celebrate the pending acquisition of the Artesyn plant in Redwood Falls by Daktronics, Inc., of Brookings, S.D.
Congressman Peterson urged Redwood County to move towards becoming the first "energy independent'' county in the state. The county is working aggressively to develop a renewable energy economy, capitalizing on its rural assets. The county is home to large wind turbines, a facility producing bio-diesel, and there are plans to develop an ethanol plant.
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Hawaii could become the first energy independent state, Peterson said. If that state's sugar cane were devoted to ethanol production instead of sugar, the state could replace 85 percent of its gasoline with the new fuel. Peterson said lawmakers in Hawaii are considering a requirement that all vehicles sold in the state be equipped for flexible fuel. That would make it possible for E-85 -- an 85 percent blend of ethanol to 15 percent gasoline -- to meet all of the state's transportation fuel needs.
