Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan's Germany trip focuses on sustainability

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, on her first official trip abroad, will take part in an energy seminar in Germany next week that includes tours of renewable energy projects and meetings with German politicians, according to details released by the governor's office Wednesday.

Flanagan, a former DFL state legislator, announced late last month her plans to lead a delegation of state lawmakers and business leaders on an overseas trip focused on sustainability in the agricultural and energy sectors.

The trip will be centered around the Berlin Seminar on Energy Policy, an annual gathering hosted by the University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment and Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

"This seminar is an opportunity to learn about how our state can further its commitment to combating the real threat of climate change while creating a prosperous clean energy economy," Flanagan said in a statement.

The itinerary includes travel to communities and projects that "demonstrate the benefits of connecting renewable energy generation with other sectors." Members of the delegation will also visit a research hub focused on innovations in public transportation and meet with German politicians and officials from Germany's economic affairs, environment and agriculture ministries.

The group of 21 Minnesotans joining Flanagan on the trip includes state commissioners, legislators and representatives of various companies and industry groups, including Edina-based Geronimo Energy, the Minnesota Farm Bureau and the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council.

The seminar is hosted and paid for by Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The governor's office is paying for the cost of Flanagan's flights. She is scheduled to depart Saturday.

Flanagan and DFL Gov. Tim Walz have pledged to make climate and sustainability policy a priority during their time in office. In March, the administration unveiled a proposal to mandate that all electricity in the state is generated by "clean" energy sources by 2050. That legislation failed to pass this session.

Torey Van Oot • 651-925-5049