CEEM in the News

Gov. Tim Walz signed more than 40 climate initiatives that will spend hundreds of millions of dollars over the next several years to promote solar energy, electric vehicles, battery storage, heating and cooling electrification, transmission, sustainable building materials, weatherization, and other technologies.

The package of bills passed this year is nothing short of transformative for Minnesota’s energy industry. Starting with the passage of the 100% carbon-free energy by 2040 law, there was a clear commitment to advancing Minnesota’s goals to be a national leader in the race toward a cleaner energy future.

Winona has much to be proud of when it comes to this beautiful, old river city. But a crown jewel for this town is the knowledge and history that resides with the oldest member of the Minnesota State College system — Winona State University.

“That’s all about investing in nurturing and creating an ecosystem in Minnesota that supports clean energy and provides new financing mechanisms for clean tech,” said Amelia Cerling Hennes with Clean Energy Economy MN.

Wind and solar power deliver a huge economic boost for local economies. These projects create jobs, both during construction and the long-term operation and maintenance of the facilities.

The report, from Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (CEEM) and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) found that zero-carbon power represented 55 percent of the state’s electricity last year, surpassing the national average by 14 percent. According to the report, 2022 was the third year zero-carbon power was the majority of the state’s electricity.

Minnesota has been reducing carbon emissions much faster than other Midwestern states and the rest of the country. More than half of the state’s power comes from carbon-free sources and a third from renewable energy. Emissions from utilities have dropped almost 50% below 2005 levels, compared with a 40% decline for the rest of the country. And nearly all new energy generation capacity last year came from wind and solar.

I am newly encouraged by a report out this week on Minnesota’s own path to decarbonization. Data released by Clean Energy Economy Minnesota finds that our state is now powered by 55% carbon-free electricity – and a whopping 31% of that is from renewables.

In 2022, zero-carbon power accounted for 55% of Minnesota’s energy supply, which is well above the national average, according to a recent report.