Minnesota’s Growing Clean Energy Jobs

We kicked off September with an exciting announcement that Minnesota’s clean energy sector grew 5.3 percent and now totals more than 57,000 jobs. This growth was nearly four times faster than jobs in all other areas of Minnesota’s economy. See more highlights and information about clean energy jobs on our website here.

To deliver the news, Lt. Governor Tina Smith, Sen. Karin Housley (R-St. Mary’s Point), Sen. Nick Frentz (D-North Mankato), Ken Smith CEO of Ever-Green Energy, Ben Granley President of Werner Electric, and Aaron Pyfferoen, Manager of Solar Procurement for Blattner Energy joined our Executive Director Gregg Mast for an in-person press conference and media call with Greater Minnesota news outlets at the State Capitol on September 7th.

Since then, more than a dozen stories from news outlets across the state have shared the announcement. As an organization driven to educate, build collaboration, and catalyze action for energy efficiency and clean energy we are thrilled that this report is furthering conversation of how clean, reliable, and affordable energy can deliver economic benefits—jobs, competitive electricity rates, and greater consumer choice—to Minnesotans.

Check out the coverage

Following the announcement, Ben Granley from Werner Electric was interviewed by WCCO, click the photo to watch the news clip:

In case you missed the coverage, here’s a round up of the stories:

• News Note: Clean energy jobs, Montevideo American-News (blog post), September 17, 2017.”Jobs related to clean energy in Minnesota have grown 5.3 percent over the past year and now number 57,351…”

• New study: green energy a major job creator in state, Marshall Helmberger, The Timberjay (St. Louis County), September 13, 2017.“Clean energy provided an opportunity for us to diversify our 50-year-old business, which began as a manufacturer of extruded aluminum components for boating and other industries, and over the past five years we have seen dramatic growth in revenue year on year,” said Mark Turley, Renewable Energy Market Leader at Alexandria Industries.

• Minnesota’s clean energy jobs grew 3.8 times faster than overall job growth, Suzy Rook, Faribault Daily News, September 11, 2017. Re: Clean Energy Trust, 2017 Report: “This report is further proof that renewable energy is good for our health, our environment, and our economy. Minnesota’s clean energy industry continues to outpace growth in the rest of our economy – creating thousands of good new jobs all across the state,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith.

• The Glean (short blurb), Brian Lambert, MinnPost, September 8, 2017. Mentions the 2017 Clean Jobs Midwest report. ‘Clean energy jobs grew four times faster than all other sectors of the state’s economy… A decade ago, Minnesota set a goal of getting 25 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025. We’re nearly there. So lawmakers are pushing to double that with the Minnesota Renewable Energy Standard’

• Clean energy jobs see growth in North Dakota, Minnesota, April Baumgarten, Inforum, September 8, 2017.”This report is further proof that renewable energy is good for our health, our environment and our economy. Minnesota’s clean energy industry continues to outpace growth in the rest of our economy — creating thousands of good new jobs all across the state,” Lt. Governor Tina Smith said in the release.”

• 50 percent renewable energy by 2030, Minnesota proponents say, Zach Kayser, Brainerd Dispatch, September 8, 2017. “In Crow Wing County, there are an estimated 1,450 jobs in the clean energy sector. About 30 percent of the state’s clean energy jobs are located in greater Minnesota… Smith and bill authors Housley and Frentz said the initiative would boost jobs, the environment and energy independence.”

• Frentz among those pushing for clean energy increase, Tim Krohn, Mankato Free Press, September 7, 2017. “Clean energy is driving job growth and innovation in every region of our state — especially in Greater Minnesota where small towns and farming communities are seeing the creation of new jobs and feeling the economic impacts of new businesses,” Sen. Nick Frentz of North Mankato.

• Clean energy jobs see growth in North Dakota, Minnesota, April Baumgarten, WDAY-TV, September 7, 2017. “North Dakota and Minnesota are adding more clean energy jobs, according to a report released earlier this week… Minnesota added almost 2,900 clean energy jobs from 2015 to 2016, bringing its total to 57,351, according to a news release from Gov. Mark Dayton’s office.”

• Frentz Pushing For Renewable Energy Mandate, Ryan Gustafson, KEYC News, September 7, 2017. “What we’re debating now at the Legislature what’s the best way to move the state forward on energy. The question for Minnesotans in our area here is simple. Are we going to be a leader on renewable energy, or are we going to stand aside while other states pass us by” Senator Nick Frentz.

• Minnesota jobs related to clean energy have grown more than 5 percent, Mike Hughlett, StarTribune, September 7, 2017. “Jobs related to clean energy in Minnesota have grown 5.3 percent over the past year and now number 57,351…”

• Minnesota’s clean energy industry grows rapidly, local leader Blattner keeps pace, Matt Perkins, St. Cloud Times, September 7, 2017. “Over the last two years, Blattner has more than doubled our workforce in Minnesota,” said Aaron Pyfferoen, manager of procurement at Blattner Energy.

• Surge in Minnesota clean-energy jobs prompts calls for tighter energy standards, Erin Golden, StarTribune, September 7, 2017. “Sen. Karin Housley, R-St. Mary’s Point, said 1,100 new jobs have been created in her Stillwater-area district since the state began targeting clean-energy jobs a decade ago. Now, she and Sen. Nick Frentz, DFL-North Mankato, are urging their colleagues in the Legislature to tighten Minnesota’s standards to ensure the state can attract more jobs and out-compete others in the region.

•  Lawmakers Push For Bigger Use Of Renewable Energy, KXRA (Alexandria Radio), September 7, 2017. “Senator Karin Housley of Saint Mary’s Point says her colleagues are “becoming more friendly to it” the more they learn about it. North Mankato Senate Democrat Nick Frentz says Minnesota is on pace to meet its current standard, and a new mark should be set.”

• Groups pushing at State Capitol to increase renewable energy goal, Bill Werner, Minnesota News Network, September 7, 2017. “It’s worth noting we’re ahead of pace to meet that goal, which is part of why it’s so important for us to set a new mark and enforce it,” said Senator Nick Frentz from North Mankato.