Minnesota

Minnesota adopts clean cars standard that require more electric vehicles

  “Minnesota is the latest state — and the first in the Midwest — to adopt California’s stricter tailpipe emissions standards and mandate for automakers to get more zero-emission vehicles onto sales lots. The rules don’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2024, for 2025 models, so Minnesotans likely will not see an immediate burst of … [Read more…]

Under new law, Minnesota gas utilities could play a role in electrification

  “A new Minnesota law aims to help natural gas utilities innovate and diversify their businesses as the state works to eliminate carbon emissions. The Natural Gas Innovation Act encourages gas companies to file with regulators “innovation plans” that decarbonize their operations. Utilities can recover costs of pilot projects and use results to meet their … [Read more…]

Minnesota Power moving to rates that vary by time of day

  “Minnesota Power is poised to be the first utility in the state to fully switch to “time of day” electricity rates for residential customers, meaning power is more expensive during certain hours and discounted when it is more readily available. The move is prompted by an increase in renewable energy and its variability — … [Read more…]

A pollen-friendly landscape takes root under the Minnesota solar panels

  “Sheep graze the grass in tall meadows, and their barks break quiet places, much like butterflies and insects fly around native flowers. The idyllic setting is not a restored prairie. This is a solar facility in the rural area of ​​Chisago County, one of 16 locations in Minnesota. Ener Green Power is a global … [Read more…]

New state funding puts solar on the curriculum for Minnesota schools

  “A new, first-of-its-kind state fund could help triple the number of solar installations on Minnesota K-12 schools and community colleges. Minnesota ranked 11th in the country last year for solar capacity on school buildings, with 157 installations identified in a national industry report. That leaves hundreds of rooftops with the potential to host money-saving … [Read more…]

Electrification Raises Concerns over Stranded Gas Assets, Customers

  “Colorado regulator Megan Gilman worries that the electrification of home heating could leave fewer natural gas customers paying increasingly high bills. But Consolidated Edison executive Marc Huestis told the Energy Bar Association’s annual meeting Wednesday that could be avoided by continued use of natural gas infrastructure for delivering low-carbon fuel. That’s the hope of … [Read more…]

Minnesota’s community solar program is leaving poorer people in the shade

  “Correction: The article has been updated to note the Emerge Second Chance Community Solar Garden is 180 kilowatts, not megawatts, and to address errors about Cooperative Energy Futures: The co-op has 900 members, 700 of whom subscribe to community solar, not 700 members. About 85 percent of their solar capacity serves residential customers, but … [Read more…]

Excelsior renewable energy business owner convicted of $13M fraud scheme

  “A federal jury on Wednesday convicted the owner of an Excelsior renewable energy firm of multiple fraud charges in connection with bilking more than 70 customers out of millions of dollars for wind turbines they never received. Prosecutors charged Shawn Robert Dooling, 52, last year after an FBI investigation, alleging that he used Renewable … [Read more…]