McKnight Foundation Grants to Fight Climate Change

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The McKnight Foundation is putting $25 million into two programs that are working to combat climate change with a focus on the Midwest.

The grants from the foundation's new Midwest Climate & Energy program will aim to support strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the use of renewable energy and increased energy efficiencies in agriculture and transportation.

The money will go to two groups - the Energy Foundatation and RE-AMP - that will focus on developing policies and public education to reduce dependence on fossil fuels in Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio.

McKnight board chairman Ted Staryk says Midwesterners contribute 22 percent more greenhouse gases per capita than other Americans because of the region's heavy reliance on coal for electricity.