Secretary Salazar Visits North Dakota for Energy Expo and Tour of Wildlife Refuge

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar was a keynote speaker at the Great Plains Energy Showcase and Expo sponsored in part by Bismarck State College. He said the President's comprehensive energy strategy seeks to responsibly develop all fronts and that North Dakota offers significant conventional and renewable resources that can help to reduce America's dependence on foreign energy while creating new jobs.

Earlier in the day the Secretary met employees of the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge in Coleharbor and toured construction of their new $6.1 million visitor center funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

/news/photos/images/1110091.jpg

Secretary Salazar is welcomed to the stage by North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann - DOI)

/news/photos/images/1110091.jpg
/news/photos/images/1110092.jpg

Secretary Salazar in his keynote speech spoke of the importance of both conventional and renewable energy in the President's comprehensive energy plan. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann - DOI)

/news/photos/images/1110092.jpg
/news/photos/images/1110093.jpg

“Developed in the right way and in the right places, the Great Plains' states vast wind energy potential- along with solar, geothermal, and other renewables - can power our economy with affordable energy, create thousands of new jobs, and reduce harmful pollution associated with the burning of fossil fuels,” Salazar said. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann - DOI)

/news/photos/images/1110093.jpg
/news/photos/images/1110094.jpg

Secretary Salazar participated in a discussion panel alongside Senator Dorgan. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann - DOI)

/news/photos/images/1110094.jpg
/news/photos/images/1110095.jpg

Project Leader for Audubon National Wildlife Refuge Complex and Refuge Coordinator for North Dakota and South Dakota Lloyd Jones describes the features of the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge to Secretary Salazar. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann - DOI)

/news/photos/images/1110095.jpg
/news/photos/images/1110096.jpg

Secretary Salazar and Counselor Steve Black visit construction of the new visitor center and offices. The $6.1 million project was funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann - DOI)

/news/photos/images/1110096.jpg
/news/photos/images/1110097.jpg

Secretary Salazar lends a hand in the construction of the refuge's new visitor center. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann - DOI)

/news/photos/images/1110097.jpg
/news/photos/images/1110098.jpg

Secretary Salazar surveys the prairie view from the entrance of the visitor center with Visitor Services Manage Jackie Jacobson. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann - DOI)

/news/photos/images/1110098.jpg
/news/photos/images/1110099.jpg

The signature of the 50th Secretary of the Interior will become part of the new visitor center. L to R - Secretary Ken Salazar, Jackie Jacobson (Visitor Services Manager), Chris Adams (Keplin/Gracon On-Site Superintendent), and Lloyd Jones (Project Leader). (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann - DOI)

/news/photos/images/1110099.jpg
/news/photos/images/11100910.jpg

Secretary Salazar met with the employees of the refuge. Front Row - Left to Right Gary Williams, Kathy Baer, Ken Salazar, Craig Hultberg, Lloyd Jones, Kory Richardson, Brian Mautz, Donna Zanger, Jackie Jacobson Back Row - Left to Right Chad Klindtworth, Greg White, Jon Beyer, Ryan Shively, Chad Wimer, Randy Swanson, Mike Goos (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann - DOI)

/news/photos/images/11100910.jpg