Lieutenant Governor Leads Group to Germany

        
-Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon during her trip to Germany 

This week, Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Pretter Solon is leading a 16-member delegation in Germany, joined by Iowa’s Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds.  The delegation is made up of experts from Minnesota and Iowa that will study Germany’s energy and power systems, in the search for finding more energy efficient methods that could aid in creating and maintaining a more sustainable Minnesota.  
   
What is it About?

A group of experts from Minnesota and Iowa are in Germany this week learning about energy solutions that could help Minnesota. The trip is organized by the University of Minnesota’s Center for German and European Studies together with Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economics and Germany’s Foreign office. The group will hear from both Germany’s economics and environment ministries in hopes to learn more about their renewable energy projects.
 

Why Germany?

Germany is a world leader in renewable energy projects. In the year 2000, Germany’s renewable energies act (EEG) was the starting point for new jobs and investments throughout the country. Germany also became a model for other countries hoping to find alternative, yet reliable, energy sources at low a cost.
Brandenburg, one of Germany’s 16 federal-states, is specifically seen as a leader in renewable energy. Not only does it contain multiple research institutes and high-tech manufacturers, but Brandenburg is also the site of the world’s first hybrid power plant.

Who is Attending?

The 16-member group includes bi-partisan elected and government officials, academics, and industry representatives from Minnesota and Iowa.

Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Pretter Solon’s leadership in this delegation to Germany highlights the importance of Minnesota’s continued dedication to sustainability and finding different solutions that could help meet Minnesota’s needs.