Introducing Lily Tobert — Communications Intern
Why clean energy?
My path to clean energy grew naturally out of the intersection of my studies. As I pursue degrees in Political Science and Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, I’ve come to recognize how informed systems can create motivated outcomes. I appreciate how environmental influences reach into sectors like economics and policy, which is where I notice clean energy has a lot of opportunity. This transition requires smart legislation and market incentives alongside enforceable and equitable standards.
What draws me most is the challenge of making that transition accessible to everyone. Minnesota’s story is compelling and inspiring: for the sixth year in a row, zero-carbon sources have supplied the majority of the state’s electricity, while clean energy employment hit a record high in 2024. However, that progress does not exist without tension as coal’s share of electricity ticked up in 2025 due to natural gas volatility. This demonstrates a grid that is partially dependent on fossil fuels, exposing the grid to fossil fuel markets. I would like to better understand and explain this complexity during my time with CEEM.
What I hope to accomplish at CEEM
Coming into this role, I have three goals that I’m actively working towards:
- Building fluency in the energy sector and learning to translate it. Clean energy seems to involve a web of policy, economics, and technology. I hope to leave this internship able to explain why this transition is necessary, how it actually works, and the ways in which policy can motivate the public.
- Expanding my professional network in the clean energy space. One of CEEM’s greatest assets is its coalition of member businesses spanning energy efficiency, solar, storage, transportation,and more. I hope to make many connections – aiming to understand not only what they do, but the career paths that brought them there.
- Developing a sharper eye for public narrative and the energy transition. There’s an ongoing challenge in this field around how rhetoric is delivered to stakeholders. I would like to use my time at CEEM to study what messaging resonates and why, and contribute to communications work that helps the case for clean energy in Minnesota.
Clean energy in college
This past semester, I’ve had the opportunity of being a part of the Institute on the Environment’s Clean Energy Leaders program. In the interdisciplinary course this spring semester which focused on topics of science, technology, and environmental policy, we worked with the Great Plains Institute on an Extreme Weather Resilience playbook. This project examined how the energy grid may require additional resilience as weather conditions become more severe. While taking a course in sustainability, I had the opportunity to contribute to an informational presentation using Paul Hawken’s Regeneration+ book. I centered this project around clean energy systems, specifically microgrids, solar, and wind. These projects combined with additional sustainability courses have provided me with a foundation of knowledge that will strengthen throughout this internship.
About me
I’m originally from Onalaska, Wisconsin and am currently studying Political Science, Environmental Science, Business Law, and Sustainability Studies at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Outside of my studies, I enjoy staying active through yoga, rock climbing, biking, and hiking and find a creative outlet in watercolor, embroidery, and crochet/knitting. A fun fact about me is that I’m a Canadian dual citizen. With family in Canada, I’ve grown up loving to travel and explore nature. I’m genuinely excited to be part of the CEEM team this summer and to contribute to the work of building a cleaner, more resilient, and sustainable Minnesota economy.