Blog

While solar panels and windmills are the hallmark of the renewables sector, it’s people who are the face of the energy efficiency sector in Minnesota. Energy efficiency employs more than 49,000 Minnesotans and makes up 86% of the clean energy jobs in our state.

Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (CEEM) and Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) are hosting business roundtables this summer with Minnesota’s candidates for governor. On July 18 we had the pleasure of hosting U.S. Congressman Tim Walz. 

Walz arrived at our meetings with a confidence in the power and importance of Minnesota’s clean energy industry. In fact, he noted that he believes the future belongs to those who harness clean energy and create jobs.

On July 18, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (CEEM) and Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) hosted a business roundtable with DFL-endorsed candidate for Governor, Erin Murphy.

Murphy was an active listener, allowing each of the businesses the opportunity to share their perspectives on what is needed to further grow the industry. She also said she believes clean energy is the way forward for Minnesota, and intends to put that belief into action.

Energy storage is becoming an increasingly popular topic in the energy sector, but what exactly does it mean? And, more importantly, what does it mean for the future of the electric grid?

I am Mikaela Isaacson, and I am ecstatic to be Clean Energy Economy MN’s (CEEM) first Communications and Policy Intern. This position is at the intersection of my shared passions for communication and sustainability, making it a perfect fit for me!

Between now and June 11, the Minnesota Public Utility Commission is accepting public comments regarding the Freeborn Wind Farm’s Transmission Line Route Permit.

After a contentious three month legislative session, with long hours logged by those working in and for clean energy, the end of session came with a large question mark hanging over the work.

Here's a look at all of the legislation CEEM worked on this session. 

This week, the Minnesota House and Senate created a conference committee to work out the differences between the two versions of this year's omnibus supplemental budget bill. Just one week remains of this year's legislative session. 

This week, the Minnesota House and Senate moved this year’s major spending and policy bills forward, with the Senate taking up their version of the omnibus finance bill on the Senate floor on Thursday where it passed along party lines 34-31.

This week, the Minnesota House and Senate released their major funding and policy bills. These large bills, called “omnibus” bills, merge a number of smaller bills into one. 

With such large proposals, it’s often a balancing act between the good and the not so good provisions.

Last week, the legislature came back from a week-long spring recess. Upon returning to the Capitol lawmakers have just six weeks to finish all major bills before they are constitutionally mandated to adjourn in May.

CEEM outlines the top three most important things we're working on at the legilsature this week. 

 

Minnesota’s workforce shortage is a frequent topic of discussion. It’s a troubling issue that has the potential to squeeze quickly growing industries like clean energy.

The legislature is on recess this week for their annual Easter/Passover break. This spring recess gives legislators the chance to head back to their districts to catch up with constituents before returning to the Capitol for the final few weeks of session which is constitutionally mandated to adjourn sine die by May 21.

Clean Energy Economy Minnesota has successfully wrapped up our second annual Clean Energy Business Day at the Capitol. This year we partnered with Wind on the Wires (WoW), Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA) and U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The 2018 Minnesota Legislative Session is in full swing at the Capitol. Two weeks into a short, 10-week session and the priority issue areas are starting to take shape.

Both the House and Senate energy committees have started meeting regularly, holding hearings on some of this year’s top issue areas. The first deadline we are focused on is March 22, in which bills introduced in either the House or Senate must receive a hearing in their house of origin in order to continue through the legislative process.

March began with some exciting energy news for Minnesota. Among the headlines: renewables are now Minnesota's second largest source of electricity. And, according to data just released from the Department of Energy, a full 25 percent of Minnesota’s energy generation comes from renewable sources.

Amid a backdrop of simultaneously good and bad news for the clean energy industry in Minnesota (48 percent job growth in the state’s solar industry and 72 percent federal budget cut proposed for the Department of Energy) Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) took the opportunity to meet with congressional offices in Washington D.C. in February to discuss the state’s explosive growth in clean energy jobs and innovation.

Lily Osborne shares her experiences at the 2018 Midwest Energy Solutions Conference. It is an exciting time witnessing the transformation of our energy sector, and this year’s Midwest Energy Solutions Conference affirmed to me that the talented people and companies working in this industry will continue to advance compelling and cost-saving changes.

The looming November election sets the backdrop for the 2018 legislative session which begins on February 20 in Saint Paul. In Minnesota, our government operates on a two-year cycle, or a “biennium.” As the second year in the biennium, unlike the first year, the legislature is not required to pass a new, full budget. Traditionally, the second year in a biennium is reserved for just one major policy initiative: capital investment.

Clean Energy Economy MN recently teamed up with OATI, as well as The Energy Transition Lab (ETL), and Minnesota Conservative Energy Forum (MnCEF) to provide a learning opportunity for Minnesota legislators to tour OATI’s microgrid facilities. The event also convened leaders to talk about the critical and real efforts to modernize the grid in Minnesota. Grid modernization is a broad umbrella term that can encompass a range of advanced technologies and infrastructure developments.