I had the pleasure of attending an event to celebrate Earth Day and the founding of the Phillips Energy Co-op yesterday at the Green Institute. List members Dean Zimmerman and Annie Young spoke eloquently about the need for more community control of energy resources and Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin invoked the history of rural electric co-ops as model for what can be done in Phillips. A speaker representing the Somali immigrant community, and residents of Little Earth of United Tribes were also on hand which is testimony to the excellent outreach that is happening in conjunction with this effort. Rep Karen Clark rounded out the program with a message of hope during difficult times at the legislature. Congratulations to Annie, Peter, Dean, Karen, Michael Krause (Green Institute, Director) and so many people who have done the hard work needed to make Phillips an important model of how a community can simultaneously address environmental and economic development issues. It was a fitting and appropriate way to celebrate the 32nd Earth Day! Frank Hornstein Ward 13 Metropolitan Council Member
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