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Statements about the 2025 Energy Action Plan
“The bipartisan work of Governor Pawlenty and the Legislature in 2007 shows Minnesota can work across party lines to reduce carbon emissions and increase renewable energy use, without sacrificing reliability or cost effectiveness. The 2025 Energy Action Plan continues this work, and outlines the path to meeting our long-term renewable energy and emission reduction goals. I look forward to working with stakeholders and the Legislature next year to build an energy future that is good for our environment, health, and economy.”
— Minnesota Lt. Governor Tina Smith
“Minnesota has long been a leader in innovative energy policies. Our state is poised to extend that leadership, as the 2025 Action Plan provides a roadmap to continue moving forward on the state’s renewable energy and energy efficiency goals. It is a strategy that will create jobs, strengthen our economy and reduce pollution that threatens the environment and people’s health.”
— Mike Rothman, Minnesota Commerce Commissioner
“What really sets the 2025 Energy Action Plan apart from other energy planning efforts is the stakeholder-driven approach that identifies actionable steps to enable key energy strategies and technologies over the next 10 years.”
— Stephen Doig, Managing Director for the Rocky Mountain Institute
“The strategies in the report for meeting Minnesota’s energy goals are also opportunities to generate additional economic activity through new capital investment and job creation. Minnesota has already experienced significant economic growth from clean energy development. In 2014, over 15,000 jobs were in the clean energy fields and there was a 78 percent increase in clean energy jobs since 2000.”
— Lisa Hughes, from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and a participant in the stakeholder proceedings
“This project increased the awareness that 58% of the primary energy that we use in Minnesota’s economy ends up being wasted, often in the form of heat such as is vented from the cooling of power plants and other industrial processes. That inefficiency is actually an enormous opportunity. This project is a springboard to engage additional stakeholders and increase economic development in communities across the state.”
— Ken Smith, CEO of Ever-Green Energy and a stakeholder advisory committee member
“Because of this project our partnership, the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), was able to draw upon the interest and perspectives of community members in cities like Mankato, Staples, and Grand Rapids to get the input needed for an effective state-wide action plan,”
— Melissa Pawlisch, University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships and Extension
“Buildings account for 42% of energy used in Minnesota. Efficient building energy management is a tremendous opportunity to improve our overall energy efficiency strategy. The Action Plan articulates this opportunity and lays out a strategy for progress.”
—Sheri Brezinka, U.S. Green Building Council
“Electric vehicles are continually improving and the future looks promising. Twenty-four percent of energy used in Minnesota is for transportation – so we have a terrific opportunity to transition to cleaner energy sources. The Action Plan offers a path forward for Minnesota, and Xcel Energy looks forward to working with stakeholders on these recommendations.”
—Kevin Schwain, Xcel Energy
“Abundant renewable crop, forestry and waste resources can be used to produce advanced biofuels and biobased chemicals in our fuel and product supply, thereby creating a more circular economy in MN and the world. There is enormous untapped potential for sustainable economic development that will result in stronger communities and environmental quality improvements. We look forward to being part of the stakeholder group that will work together to implement a robust advanced biofuel and biobased chemical industry development strategy for Minnesota.”
—Erin Heitkamp, Wenck Associates
“The Action Plan includes emerging technologies and tools already in use by our leading cooperative electric utilities. For example, several member coops offer customers a free web portal to track their energy use and manage costs. In addition, the ReVolt program, which is available to GRE’s member cooperatives, allows participating end use members to power their electric vehicle with 100% wind energy at no extra cost.”
—Jeff Haase, Great River Energy
“Implementation of energy strategies begins at the local level. Duluth is already making progress in several areas such as electric buses and planning for thermal grid improvements. The 2025 Energy Action Plan will help catalyze efforts in other Minnesota communities. It provides strategies for community leaders to implement in partnership with local government.”
—Jodi Slick, Ecolibrium3