Energy.gov

Washington, D.C. – Tomorrow, Friday, January 27, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman will join Senator Al Franken at the University of Minnesota for events highlighting the Obama Administration’s investments in renewable energy and energy efficient technology.

Earlier this week in his State of the Union address, President Obama presented a new era for American energy and highlighted the important role of investing in clean energy technology to create jobs and build an economy that lasts.

Senator Franken and Deputy Secretary Poneman will participate in an open press tour of the University of Minnesota’s Eolos Wind Energy Research Station in Rosemount, Minnesota, with university officials and wind energy researchers. The University of Minnesota was one of three university-led research consortia awarded with the Energy Department's wind research grants in 2009. The Department’s grant supports research improving wind turbines and wind farm designs. There will be a short press availability immediately following the tour.

Deputy Secretary Poneman will then participate in a roundtable with clean energy business leaders and University of Minnesota students. After the roundtable, Deputy Secretary Poneman will join Senator Franken at his open press "Forum on Energy Savings and Retrofitting" event for Minnesota cities, counties and businesses at the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul Campus, in St. Paul, Minnesota. During his remarks at the event, Deputy Secretary Poneman will discuss the Obama Administration’s Better Buildings Initiative to make commercial and industrial buildings 20 percent more energy efficient by 2020 and accelerate private sector investment in energy efficiency. There will be a press availability with Senator Franken and Deputy Secretary Poneman following his remarks.

Tour of the University of Minnesota’s Eolos Wind Energy Research Station

Deputy Secretary Poneman’s Remarks at the Forum on Energy Savings and Retrofitting, Press Availability