MINNEAPOLIS, MINN – Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) celebrates the signing of the Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) Act into Minnesota law today. Years in the making, the ECO Act was formally introduced two years ago, and since its proposal CEEM has worked with our member organizations to raise the business voice of clean energy in support. Passage of the ECO Act modernizes Minnesota’s most successful energy efficiency policy– the Conservation Improvement Program (CIP). ECO...
Press Releases
April, 15 2021
Resilient growth and new milestones show momentum for energy transition
ST. PAUL, MINN. – The 2021 Minnesota Energy Factsheet, released today, shows that clean energy made huge strides in 2020, despite the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, zero-carbon electricity (composed of renewables and nuclear), generated 55 percent of Minnesota’s electricity, up from 48 percent in 2019. For the first time, renewable energy was the biggest source of...
March, 26 2021
City of Rochester, McKinstry partnership shows power of energy efficiency
ROCHESTER, MINN – As the City of Rochester works to implement its Energy Action Plan and work toward lowering its carbon emissions, they’re sharing how they’re making progress on their goals. While wind and solar projects frequently enjoy the limelight of stories like these, because of restrictions due to the City’s contract with Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA), Rochester is doubling down...
March, 10 2021
Governor Walz declares March 10 as ‘Clean Energy Business Day’
Clean energy industry shows its strength amid pandemic hurdles
ST. PAUL, MINN. – Coming off the heels of news that the US saw its biggest addition of renewable energy ever in 2020, despite the hurdles posed by the pandemic – Governor Walz highlighted the significance of Minnesota’s clean energy business community and its many contributions to the state. Today, he delivered...
January, 11 2021
Virginia Mooty Rutter joins Clean Energy Economy MN team
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN – Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) is pleased to welcome long-time clean energy policy and research professional Virginia Mooty Rutter into the role of CEEM’s new Manager of Community Relations position. In this newly defined role, Virginia will lead the organization’s outreach and engagement efforts. This includes working with CEEM’s member businesses, partners, policymakers, and community...
December, 15 2020
December 15, 2020
CEEM recognizes Sen. Senjem for his strong leadership and efforts to build a clean energy future
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) presented its 2020 Clean Energy Legislative Champion Award to Senator Dave Senjem (R-Rochester) at an online ceremony on Tuesday.
Over the course of his nearly two-decade career as the senior senator from Rochester, Senator Senjem has been a lead voice within the...
October, 15 2020
Oshkiimaajitahdah home to one of the largest solar projects in Northern Minnesota
Red Lake, MN – October 6, 2020 – One of Northern Minnesota’s largest solar projects continues this fall with the second of twelve planned commercial-scale installations.
In February of 2016, Red Lake Tribal leaders announced plans to begin a solar project capable of powering every casino and government building, in addition to the Red Lake Nation College campus....
October, 9 2020
GREEN ISLE, MINN – As Minnesota leads the nation in community solar garden development, farmers and landowners are saying the ability to lease their land to solar developers is a new cash crop in uncertain times. Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) teamed up with Minneapolis developer Nokomis Energy to highlight how community solar gardens are adding value to communities across the state, and stability for farmers.
This week CEEM launched a new video and story highlighting Nathan...
September, 11 2020
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN – Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) released the following statement after the Minnesota Senate voted today to reject the confirmation of Steve Kelley, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce (DOC).
"As our state continues its transition to cleaner and more sustainable forms of energy, it is imperative – especially during this unprecedented pandemic -- that our leaders put Minnesota in a position to maximize job creation and grow our economy...
June, 25 2020
Minnesota’s clean energy industry will play a vital role in state’s economic recovery
Minnesota entered 2020 with 61,805 clean energy workers
11,546 clean energy workers across Minnesota now unemployed
Before COVID-19, clean energy jobs were growing 2.5 times faster than overall economy
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN – Following a year of rapid job growth, 11,546 Minnesota clean energy workers have filed for unemployment since the COVID-19 pandemic...
May, 20 2020
More action is needed to assist struggling clean energy industry
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN – Facing a projected $2.4 billion budget deficit and the wild card of a pandemic, the 2020 Minnesota Legislative Session wrapped up with at least one success for the state’s clean energy industry. The Solar*Rewards program received a $15 million boost spread out over two years from the Renewable Development Account (*pending the signature of the bill from...
April, 2 2020
Half of Minnesota’s power came from zero-carbon sources in 2019
ST. PAUL, MINN. – Amid extreme uncertainty across the state and nation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, new information about Minnesota’s clean energy transition is being released that could help inform decision-making about the state’s economic recovery. Minnesota experienced a dramatic 14 percent reduction in its electricity sector carbon emissions last year due to decreased coal usage and greater reliance...
March, 4 2020
Clean energy industry shows up in big numbers at State Capitol
ST. PAUL, MINN. – As the clean energy transition accelerates across the country, Governor Tim Walz highlighted the significance of Minnesota’s clean energy business community and its many contributions to the state. Today he delivered a proclamation that declares March 4, 2020 as Clean Energy Business Day in the state of Minnesota.
The proclamation coincides with the fourth annual Clean Energy...
February, 17 2020
Clean Energy Economy MN applauds bold Minnesota House action on climate
Minnesota House Climate Action Caucus proposes $191.5 million for energy efficiency and clean energy investments
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN – Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) applauds the bold announcement by the Minnesota House Climate Action Caucus on Monday to invest $191.5 million into combatting the state’s climate...
January, 6 2020
Board members bring decades of clean energy industry experience
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN – Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) welcomes three new board members to its ranks who possess more than 60 years of combined industry experience. The newly appointed board members represent some of the leading clean energy employers in Minnesota: Jamie Borell, CEO of IPS Solar, Amy Dorsett, a part of Trane’s Executive Leadership, and Dr. Tariq Samad, Honeywell/W.R. Sweatt Chair at the...
December, 3 2019
CEEM recognizes Sen. Pratt for critical leadership and support of clean energy financing options
SHAKOPEE, MINN. – Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) presented its 2019 Clean Energy Legislative Champion Award to Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake) on Tuesday at the My Place Hotel in Shakopee.
CEEM has worked closely with Senator Pratt over several legislative cycles and appreciates his dedication to growing clean energy jobs as well as his...
December, 2 2019
CEEM recognizes Rep. Long for his significant clean energy leadership
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) presented its 2019 Clean Energy Legislative Champion Award to Representative Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis) Monday evening at the PACE Loan Group offices in downtown Minneapolis.
Rep. Long showed exemplary leadership on all things relating to clean energy during the 2019 Minnesota legislature. In addition to leading the...
September, 25 2019
New standards will speed adoption of zero emission vehicles, create jobs and strengthen Minnesota’s economy
MINNEAPOLIS – Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) applauds Governor Walz’s bold vision today, as he announces our state’s new Clean Cars Minnesota standards. Governor Walz has directed the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to implement two clean cars standards to reduce vehicle emissions in our state.
May, 31 2019
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) applauds the Walz-Flanagan administration and the bipartisan work of the Minnesota Legislative Energy Committees this session for passage of S.F. 2 - the Omnibus Jobs, Economic Development, Commerce, and Energy bill. Governor Walz signed the bill into law on May 31, which included two key policy provisions that CEEM prioritized and worked on throughout the legislative session. While the lack of passage of several bold and important clean...
April, 9 2019
Sector grew 2.5 times faster than the state’s overall job growth
Clean energy sector grew by 4.7% in the last year Minnesota led the region in renewable energy job growth thanks to large gains in wind and solar jobs Nearly 40% of clean energy jobs are located in Greater Minnesota More Minnesotans are employed in clean energy than the education, banking and med-tech industriesST. PAUL, Minn. – (April 9, 2019) – More than 61,000...