North Dakota Congressional Delegation, Governor, and Top Leaders to Headline Statewide Conference on Climate SolutionsMedia release / media advisory / interview opportunity
Posted June 20th, 2008 by ElenaVelkov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: North Dakota Congressional Delegation, Governor, and Top Leaders to Headline Statewide Conference on Climate Solutions BISMARCK, ND, JUNE 19, 2008 - For the first time in the state, the Prairie Climate Stewardship Conference will bring together industry and businesspeople, agricultural producers, educators, sportsmen and conservationists, people of faith, community leaders and others on July 10-11, 2008, in Bismarck to chart a course for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases and for advancing low-carbon energy development. Hosted by the University of Mary and organized by the Prairie Stewardship Network and Great Plains Institute, this groundbreaking event will feature North Dakota's governor, congressional delegation, other top officials and leading experts, together with citizens interested in climate stewardship. Diverse groups of participants will discuss how North Dakota can maximize its energy advantages and economic opportunities in renewable energy, advanced coal technologies with CO2 capture, enhanced oil recovery, and energy efficiency. "Recent federal climate legislation in Washington, D.C. generated considerable concern in North Dakota," said Brad Crabtree, program director of the Great Plains Institute. "Yet, the debate often overlooked the fact that our state has an unprecedented range of options to reduce and manage carbon dioxide. This event will highlight these opportunities and the public policies needed to take full advantage of them." The conference will also go beyond policy discussions by launching a grassroots effort to help communities, institutions, households, and individuals take practical steps to reduce their carbon footprint. Strategy sessions will cover a range of topics, and conference organizers and other organizations will use this input to build a statewide strategy and partnerships for practical action. "We cannot just sit back and expect government and private institutions alone to solve this problem. We all must be part of the solution," said Rev. Cody Schuler, Pastor of Edgewood United Methodist Church in Fargo and board member of the Prairie Stewardship Network. "The conference will develop practical tools and solutions to help all of us take action in our households, businesses, places of worship, and communities." Senator Kent Conrad, Senator Byron Dorgan and Congressman Earl Pomeroy will address the conference live and jointly via satellite feed on federal climate policy and legislation at 11:00 a.m. Central on Thursday, July 10th, and they will take audience questions as time permits. Governor John Hoeven will provide dinner remarks on Thursday, July 10th at 7:00 p.m. Central. Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson and State Senator Rich Wardner will provide luncheon remarks at 12:30 p.m. Central on Thursday, July 10th. The Prairie Climate Stewardship Conference, University of Mary Campus, 7500 University Drive, Bismarck, is open to the public. The agenda and registration information can be found at www.prairiestewardship.org. Reporters interested in attending may contact Renee Gopal for more details at (701) 647-2532 and psn@prairiestewardship.org. |
