New Factbook Reveals Clean Energy Accounts for 25% of Electricity Produced in Minnesota

Clean Energy Spurring Minnesota Job Growth and Changing Energy Landscape

ST. PAUL, MINN. – Renewable energy now accounts for a quarter of Minnesota’s electricity generation, with wind alone providing 18 percent — according to the 2018 Minnesota State Energy Factsheet released today. This confirms that Minnesota is on track to meet the state’s Renewable Energy Standard seven years ahead of schedule. The findings were discussed today with business and industry leaders and state policy experts.

The 2018 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook and the Minnesota Factsheet, compiled by research firm Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) for the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), outline key trends influencing national and state investment and economics, energy supply, and energy demand. As the American energy sector continues its transformation to cleaner, cheaper sustainable energy, Minnesota remains a leader.

• The American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy (ACEEE) ranks Minnesota 9th out of all 50 states for its overall energy efficiency programs (up from a rank of 10th last year).

• In 2017, annual solar capacity additions overtook those for wind in Minnesota.

• The explosive rise of community solar in 2017 contributed to the leap in solar installations in the state – the Minnesota Department of Commerce counted 245MW of new community solar additions last year, nearly five times more than the 42MW added in 2016.

• According to the 2017 Clean Jobs Midwest Report the clean energy industry is powering Minnesota’s economy by supporting more than 57,000 job s.

• Minnesota leads the region for utility spending on efficiency programming – it comes in as the 2nd highest spending (by percentage of revenue) in the region.

• Minnesota added a full 600 MW of renewable capacity in 2017.

Industry leaders are seeing these trends play out in Minnesota :

“The incredible growth of solar and wind is helping fuel the transformation of Minnesota’s energy system,” said Stephen Jones, Vice President, Solar at Blattner Energy. “The number of jobs in sustainable energy continue to increase as well, which benefits our state. “

“Clean energy businesses are punching above their weight when it comes to contributing to M innesota’s economy. Not only are they creating jobs four times faster than any other sector – they are also helping keep energy dollars local by harnessing our homegrown renewable resources. Minnesota has made incredible progress. Stable, forward-looking policies will only usher in even greater clean energy investment, well into the future,” said Gregg Mast, Executive Director of Clean Energy Economy Minnesota.

“The contributions of sustainable energy to Minnesota’s economic competitiveness are direct, dramatic and dynamic,” said Lisa Jacobson, President of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy. “We examine sustainable energy trends across the country – and Minnesota is a clear standout. The trend lines in the 2018 Factbook are clear: sustainable energy is benefiting Minnesota consumers, businesses and manufacturers. And that adds up to one conclusion: clean energy delivers for Minnesota.”

Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (CEEM) was proud to partner with the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCS E) along with Greater MSP, the McKnight Foundation, Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Science Museum of Minnesota and to discuss the Factsheet findings with the businesses impacted by clean energy growth.

The 2018 Factbook is provided in a PowerPoint format (totaling 132 slides) and is intended to serve as a reference guide of energy statistics throughout the year. The Minnesota Factsheet is a shorter companion resource that can be used as a quick guide.

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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.

About the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE): BCSE is a trade association representing the energy efficiency, natural gas, and renewable energy sectors. It advocates for policies at the state, federal, and international level that promote the deployment of the full portfolio of commercially available clean energy products, technologies and services.

CEEM Contact:
Amelia Cerling Hennes
ahennes@cleanenergyeconomymn.org
507.251.5140

BCSE Contact: Laura Tierney
ltierney@bcse.org
202.785.0507