The Roosevelt Institution is a nation-wide network of student "think-tanks" representing over 7,000 students and 85 college campuses.  The conference focused on environmental and energy policy issues, with university students from around the Midwest presenting their articles that appear in the Roosevelt Institution’s Spring 09 journal, "Growing a Green Midwestern Economy."

Russell served on a four-person panel discussing revolving loan funds, sharing his knowledge and experience as director of a revolving loan program for Bay College.  The Northern Lights Energy Program was referenced in the journal article written by J. Cory Connolly, a junior at Michigan State University.  Mr. Russell was joined on the panel by State Representative Dan Scripps, State Representative Paul Opsommer, and John Sarver from the Bureau of Energy Systems at the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth.

Michigan GREEN was very impressed with the university students involved with the conference.  Their organization and professionalism, as well as their understanding of current policy and potential solutions, was both impressive and encouraging.  "These young people are ready to be fully engaged in the discussions and processes that will help our nation make smart decisions about our energy future," Russell said.