Book signing of Benitz biography planned Sept. 9 in Richland

The authors of a biography about the late state Sen. Max E. Benitz Sr., known as “Mr. Energy,” will sign copies of the book Sept. 9 at the Reach center in Richland.

The event is from 2 to 5 p.m.

Benitz’s daughter Eileen M. Benitz Wagner and historian Michele Gerber penned the book, which chronicles Benitz’s life “from his pioneering of raw sagebrush land near Prosser” to his career in politics, a news release said.

Benitz was instrumental in bringing in Washington State University Tri-Cities and “worked closely with nuclear scientists and engineers at Hanford,” the release said, adding that “on the national level, he worked for a comprehensive national energy policy.”

The Reach is at 1943 Columbia Park Trail.

This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 12:20 AM with the headline "Book signing of Benitz biography planned Sept. 9 in Richland."