Joel Johnson, Director of The Coalition for a Secure Energy Future (The Coalition) presented Senator Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point) with this year’s “Energy Champion” award for her dedication to an all-of-the-above energy strategy for Minnesota to ensure that consumers and businesses have access to affordable and reliable electricity.

“The Coalition is proud to recognize Senator Ruud for her commitment to protecting ratepayers by ensuring Minnesota continues to utilize all of our diverse energy resources,” Johnson said. “Senator Ruud knows that low cost energy is pivotal for our region’s economy and access to reliable electricity makes us globally competitive.”

“I appreciate the Coalition’s dedication to securing reliable energy for the future,” said Senator Ruud. “I am honored to receive this award and look forward to growing this partnership and improving Minnesotans’ access to dependable electricity!”

The award was presented to Senator Ruud by Joel Johnson, Jonathan Fortner of the Lignite Energy Council, and Luke Hellier of the Coalition for a Secure Energy Future.

The Coalition was founded in 2014 to enhance, preserve, and protect our diverse set of energy resources, including coal-based electricity, to ensure a continued affordable and reliable energy supply for families and businesses in Minnesota.  Learn more at www.secureenergyfuture.org

The Lignite Energy Council works to maintain a viable lignite coal industry and enhance development of the region’s lignite coal resources for use in generating electricity, synthetic natural gas and valuable byproducts. Members of the Lignite Energy Council include mining companies, major users that use lignite to generate electricity, synthetic natural gas and other valuable byproducts, and businesses that provide goods and services to the lignite industry.