Policy accomplishments

CEEM and its business members led and supported in-state efforts focused on the Clean Power Plan and the related State Implementation Plan in order to spur clean energy jobs and investment. The organization also worked to enact favorable state tax policies at the Minnesota Legislature to accelerate the deployment of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies while pushing back against policy proposals that sought to levy onerous fixed charges on distributed energy resources.

The organization successfully worked to extend and increase funding for Minnesota’s Solar*Rewards program and mobilized businesses to share the many benefits of the Conservation Improvement Program and Community Solar Program in an attempt to deter legislative efforts that sought to significantly weaken both.

CEEM and its members provided critical business support at the Minnesota Legislature as part of efforts to increase the state’s Renewable Energy Standard to 50% by 2030. Additional policy work included attempts to increase the Energy Efficiency Resource Standard as well as create new market opportunities in the areas of energy storage, building codes, and biomass energy. CEEM and its business members also held roundtable discussions focused on energy and the economy with Minnesota’s gubernatorial candidates.

The organization and business members participated in Governor Walz’ unveiling of the “One Minnesota Path to Clean Energy” which included a goal of 100% Clean Energy by 2050. CEEM was successful in passing bipartisan energy policies at the Minnesota Legislature that included energy storage and commercial property assessed clean energy (C-PACE).

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, CEEM was instrumental in securing critical sector worker exemption from the Minnesota Legislature for the state’s clean energy industry and helped secure additional years of funding for the Solar*Rewards program. The organization also provided important lawmaker education on the ECO Act.

After consecutive years of education, CEEM helped to pass the bipartisan Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) Act. This was the most significant energy policy to be enacted into state law in over a decade. CEEM also led efforts to secure additional funding to extend the Solar*Rewards program and supported the establishment of the Minnesota Efficient Technology Accelerator. Passage of these bipartisan policies provided critical support for growing Minnesota’s clean energy economy.

A divided government during the 2022 Minnesota legislature stalled any progress to clean energy policy. However, the Agriculture bill that was passed included a small increase in funding to the bioincentive program. While the program continues to need more funding, CEEM will work to ensure continued adequate funding of the state’s bioeconomy production incentive.

The most significant energy legislation passed in Minnesota’s 2023 legislature, the statewide carbon-free electricity standard, requires all utilities in the state to operate entirely on carbon-free electricity sources by 2040. Other significant legislation following the passage of 100% was the investment of hundreds of millions in funding and other supportive policies and programs accelerating the transformation of the state’s energy sector, like Minnesota Energy Alley and the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority.

The passage of the Minnesota Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act reforms the permitting process of large renewable energy and transmission projects. The act is expected to shave off 9 to 18 months off the total permitting time and reduce roadblocks in renewable energy deployment.