Governor’s veto of budget bill equals mixed bag for clean energy

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn — On May 23, 2018, Governor Dayton vetoed the 2018 Omnibus Supplemental Budget Bill which contained several provisions Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) had been working diligently on all session. Among the 989 page budget bill were items that CEEM supported – such as evaluation and funding for energy storage – along with items that CEEM opposed, including a language change that would have made it more difficult for solar developers to finance community solar gardens (CSGs).

Gregg Mast, Executive Director of CEEM, says he is especially disappointed in seeing energy storage not move forward this year. The bill enjoyed bipartisan support, and was viewed as a critical measure in helping modernize Minnesota’s grid while also increasing the state’s attractiveness as a leader for energy storage development. However, he added, the bill also contained several provisions CEEM was not supportive of, including the policy change to CSGs.

“CEEM worked tirelessly to advance and oppose several energy related provisions this legislative session. Through these efforts, we successfully expanded bipartisan support for clean energy progress and safeguarded against measures that jeopardized achieving a more sustainable and prosperous energy future. We’ll continue to educate lawmakers on these important issues and look forward to working with next year’s Governor and legislature to increase and secure Minnesota’s leadership position in our fast-growing clean energy economy,” said Mast.

Mast also adds that as Minnesota’s clean energy workforce continues to enjoy rapid growth at a rate four times faster than all other sectors of the state’s economy, it’s imperative that clean energy remain a key priority for the next Governor and legislature.

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About Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (CEEM): CEEM is an industry-led, non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening Minnesota’s clean energy business ecosystem. CEEM provides a unified voice for clean energy business across the state. Our mission is to provide educational leadership, collaboration, and policy analysis that accelerates clean energy market growth and smart energy policies.