Learn How Renewable Energy Can Offer Opportunities for Economic Growth

Renewable energy has been a national topic as of late, but in Germany the transition to renewable energy has come from the local level.

Sierra Club Iowa Chapter hosts a number of informational meetings on the role of local energy cooperatives in creating economic opportunities for rural communities.

The public is invited to a candid and informal discussion tomorrow night at .

Residents have a chance to gain a deeper understanding of Germany's energy transition from the cooperative view point of two German officials.

Dr. Andreas Wieg, from the German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Federagion in Berlin, and Michael Diestel, from Agrokraft, a rural electric cooperative in Bavaria, will talk about the role cooperatives are playing in Germany.

Both men will discuss ways in which rural energy is spurring local business opportunities that can revitalize entire communities through well-paying jobs, tax revenue, strengthened community engagement and more.

The event takes place as part of the Midwest Clean Energy Tour organized by the Heinrich Boll Foundation as part of its Climate Network activities and the International Year of the Cooperative 2012.

Wednesday's public discussion begins at 7 p.m. at Crown Point.

Other public meetings include 1 p.m. at the African American Museum of Iowa in Cedar Rapids.