1.  While the federal Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2022 have accelerated the transition to clean energy with tax credits, incentives and rebates, efficiencies such as the staggering 90% drop in solar costs over the past decade are making renewables an attractive option as fossil fuel energy prices rise.  The clean energy shift is backed by a broad coalition of industries, investors and state governments that see market forces, consumer demand and global competition as key to ensuring American economic prosperity along with a reliable and resilient power grid.  While U.S. fossil fuel production is sold on the world market, clean energy requires continued reshoring of domestic manufacturing and U.S. infrastructure growth that, if well-coordinated, will benefit everyone and keep America competitive in emerging markets.  

2.  As energy prices rise, the savings from renewables make investments by states and businesses more attractive, regardless of federal policy shifts.  According to the 2024 Clean Jobs Midwest report, Minnesota now has a record number of clean-energy jobs, surpassing 62,000 for the first time, driving economic growth while outpacing the state's overall job growth fivefold.  While wind farms generated about 25% of electricity in Minnesota last year, Minnesota's largest utilities all have plans to build or buy large-scale solar before the 2040 deadline for energy transition away from fossil fuels, which include preferences for local labor, diverse suppliers, and apprenticeships to train tomorrow's renewable energy workforce.  According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, currently there are only three large-scale solar arrays (power capacity of 50 megawatts or larger), but sixteen more are planned to go online by the end of 2028.  

 3.  As the global race for clean energy leadership heats up, public and private investments can expand access to clean energy, strengthen the grid, and enhance energy storage capabilities that protect against outages and price spikes, all of which are critical as renewables become a mainstream, low-cost option for American families and businesses.  The transition to renewables is not only economically strategic, it is also a matter of national security and advancing progress toward energy independence.   As China strives to dominate production and supply chains in EVs, solar and battery manufacturing, maintaining momentum in the U.S. is a critical geopolitical goal that will require reshoring of domestic manufacturing and U.S. infrastructure growth.  

4.  The transition to renewable energy requires the use of various metals and minerals that could be recycled from old electronics currently making up 2% of the total material going into Minnesota landfills or incinerators where they cause many pollution problems.  Minnesota generates about 133 million pounds of e-waste annually estimated to be worth $2.8 billion, yet only about 24% gets recaptured for recycling.  There are electronics recyclers in the state that could remove all of the valuable metals from discarded devices (computers, smartphones, TV monitors, printers, etc.), which would save valuable landfill space and greatly offset the need to mine new materials.   A proposed bill in the Minnesota Capitol would cover 100% of e-waste and make recycling electronics free for all Minnesotans by adding a 3.2% retail fee on most electronics when they are sold.  While people currently have to pay to recycle electronics (for example, $25 for a $100 printer), a retailer fee on that same printer would be about $3, making the cost lower for consumers while boosting recycling.   

5.  The demand for rooftop solar is rising as households, businesses, schools, churches and farms realize the significant cost savings for their energy needs, but with local governments inundated by the influx of solar permits, the U.S. Department of Energy has developed an automated permitting tool - SolarAPP+ - that helps to handle the influx, creates consistency across counties, and gives installers and solar customers a faster, more predictable permitting process.  With help from the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), roughly 30% of a solar installation can be deducted from a property owner's tax liability, and the property owner can also claim state and federal depreciation, amounting to around 70% of a project coming back to the owner as a tax reduction.  Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a financing option in 32 states, including Minnesota, that helps property owners pay for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.  Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is a federally funded grant and loan program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps farmers and rural small business owners access renewable and efficient energy technologies.