Minnesota’s clean energy workforce is nearly 58,000 strong. The industry grew by about 5 percent in 2021, which is right in line with Minnesota’s overall job growth. Workers in the clean energy industry can be found in every corner of the state and work in all aspects of the value chain from construction to professional services. The jobs counted come from five subsectors: energy efficiency, renewable generation, advanced transportation, advanced grid and clean fuels.

There is a need to expand the Midwest’s regional transmission grid and increase ease of access for clean energy projects. Most of the country’s transmission lines were built in the 1950s and1960s and were expected to last 50 years. Now that we are well into the 21st century, many of these lines are well past their expiration date. To reliably handle our growing electric economy that yearns for energy security, to harden our infrastructure to handle the effects of climate change and charge electric vehicles, we must invest in our transmission system now.

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s recent announcement of new transmission infrastructure will significantly improve the reliability of Minnesota’s congested grid, allowing for greater investment in clean energy solutions of all scales.