Local climate lobbyists meet with Peterson
About 1,400 people traveled to Capitol Hill in June, voicing support for legislation to charge fossil fuel producers a fee for their product and return the proceeds to the public as a carbon dividend.
By Al Edenloff
They said the fee would create millions of jobs, save lives, reduce health care costs and decrease carbon dioxide emissions.
The group included Beth, Moriah and Anna Monke of Fergus Falls and Jeanne Johnson of Alexandria. It was the first annual Citizens Climate Lobby conference for the Monke family and the ninth for Johnson, who has been with the group since 2010 when the local chapter was formed.
To date, more than 80 representatives in the U.S.House have signed on to the Climate Solutions Caucus, which states that climate change is real, is caused by human activities and that Congress must take action.
The group is currently studying various proposals for carbon reductions.
After meeting with the local climate lobbyists, Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minnesota, said he would be willing to join the Climate Solutions Caucus if he's matched with a Republican representative, which is required under caucus rules.
Al Edenloff is the editor of the twice-weekly Echo Press. He started his journalism career when he was in 10th grade, writing football and basketball stories for the Parkers Prairie Independent.