Current policy goals
View our full list of prioritiesClean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) develops and supports public policy that promotes the growth of clean energy jobs and the economic opportunities provided by clean, affordable and reliable energy. Heading into session, there will be a two-year budget to pass and the first one-party control at the Capitol since 2013. A large number of priorities are emerging for the Walz-Flanagan Administration and the newly empowered DFL House and Senate.
Federal funding
Maximizing Federal Funds in Minnesota
CEEM and its partners worked in 2022 to successfully reach a bipartisan consensus on the need for the state to create a “competitiveness fund” so Minnesota can maximize its benefit from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). While this didn’t get across the finish line at the end of the 2022 session, the importance and urgency have only grown.
Minnesota needs this type of fund to access matching funds and compete for federal funding through the IIJA, Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and CHIPs Science Act. It is imperative to set aside resources to cover Tribal, state, and local government match requirements, and ensure agencies have the resources to assist smaller jurisdictions by providing technical assistance funding.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Minnesotans. Every day that goes by, Minnesota communities and businesses are missing out on hundreds of millions of dollars in federal opportunities, opportunities to make the places we live safer, more equitable, more affordable, and more resilient.
What the Inflation Reduction Act means for Minnesota’s clean energy future
The combined investments in the $370 billion Inflation Reduction Act puts the U.S. on a path to roughly 40% emissions reduction by 2030, and represents the single biggest climate investment in U.S. history, by far.
100% Clean energy
100% Clean Energy by 2040
Minnesota’s electricity sector has made great progress in cutting emissions by transitioning to clean, reliable, and affordable renewable energy. CEEM’s 2022 Minnesota Energy Factsheet shows this progress with 52% of power from zero-carbon sources and 28% from renewables, while the power generation sector has cut emissions by 40% over the past decade.
Now is the time to set a clear, aggressive, and reachable goal of 100% Clean Energy by 2040. Setting this clear marker will help to spur innovation and help Minnesota assert itself as a leader on climate issues.
Minnesota Policies to Support Clean Energy
The adoption of clean energy in Minnesota boosts the economy, creates jobs, and helps create a more sustainable future for the state. To assist with the clean energy transition, lawmakers have enacted legislation to assist this emerging industry. As these industries mature, there are several policies currently in play at the Capitol that would be beneficial to businesses as clean energy markets adapt to lower electricity prices and new issues arise. Today, we are breaking down a brief history of Minnesota’s policy leadership, the current state of clean energy legislation, and how new proposals will help transition Minnesota to a decarbonized, clean energy economy.
Workforce & Innovation
Investing in our Workforce & Innovation
Global investment in the energy transition in 2021 totaled $755 billion according to BloombergNEF. We anticipate that 2022 numbers will break all records for investing in energy and climate technology to date. Recently passed federal legislation includes game-changing incentives for emerging technologies.
Capturing the full economic opportunity of this unprecedented moment will take collaboration, investment, and the ambition to make Minnesota a regional and global leader in energy and cleantech. Specifically, it means investing in clean energy technology commercialization and the workforce needed to deliver these solutions as well as supporting efforts to enhance manufacturing incentives to support domestic sourcing.
White Earth Tribal & Community College teams up with Minnesota Power to create solar workforce
To help its students tap into Minnesota’s fast-growing clean energy workforce, White Earth Tribal & Community College (WETCC), in partnership with the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL) launched a solar training certificate program during the pandemic.
Decarbonizing Buildings & Transportation
Decarbonizing Buildings & Transportation
Residential and commercial buildings account for roughly 40% of the energy use and emissions in the United States. As more cities and states take steps to lower their energy usage, evidence suggests that policies on building energy usage are helping nudge energy consumption lower.
CEEM will continue to support discussions on the use of enhanced building performance standards to reduce energy waste and GHG emissions from Minnesota’s buildings.
With the electricity generation sector making great strides, transportation is now the top emitter of greenhouse gases in Minnesota. Strategic investments in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and policies encouraging the rapid electrification of personal and fleet vehicles will be a CEEM priority.
Four steps to net-zero buildings
75F graciously hosted CEEM and members for a happy hour and panel discussion on “future proofing buildings.”
Learn more about our policy work
We work between the aisle with policymakers to advance energy efficiency and clean energy innovation that diversifies and strengthens Minnesota’s economy.
CEEM works with Minnesota and Midwest regulatory bodies to ensure that clean energy policy is enacted in the best way for our member businesses and all Minnesotans.
CEEM has leveraged its business voice to deliver policy that opened up millions in financing for clean energy projects across the state.
We work between the aisle with policymakers to advance energy efficiency and clean energy innovation that diversifies and strengthens Minnesota’s economy.
CEEM works with Minnesota and Midwest regulatory bodies to ensure that clean energy policy is enacted in the best way for our member businesses and all Minnesotans.
CEEM has leveraged its business voice to deliver policy that opened up millions in financing for clean energy projects across the state.
Latest News
March 2023 Legislative Update
Bills continue to fly through the legislative process and committees now have budget targets to begin putting together their omnibus proposals. Federal matching funds passed the House Floor on Thursday…
Minnesota agency retools to ‘meet the moment’ on climate, clean energy
The Minnesota Department of Commerce recently announced several new hires and changes designed to help the state capture federal clean energy funding under the Inflation Reduction Act and 2021 infrastructure…
March 2023
CEEM was thrilled to testify alongside authors Sen. Tou Xiong and Rep. Larry Kraft in support of SF2249/HF2524 as amended, which will support the formalization of Minnesota Energy Alley.