CLEAN ENERGY VISION

Our Vision for ’s Clean Energy Future is that Minnesota is known for:

• Surpassing the State of Minnesota’s • Increasing access to affordable, • Fueling economic growth for current economy-wide greenhouse reliable, clean energy to improve all Minnesotans gas emissions targets of 30 percent racial, economic, social and public reduction by 2025 and 80 percent health outcomes reduction by 2050

Problem Statement Business Case for Collective Action

The United Nations Through clean energy strategies, the Sustainable Growth Intergovernmental Panel on Coalition has the opportunity to make a substantial impact Climate Change reports that on Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emissions and ensure urgent measures must be taken a thriving economy and healthy equitable communities. in the next decade to reduce Benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks on society. Energy transitioning to a clean-energy economy may include, but are contributes significantly to the not limited to: State of Minnesota’s greenhouse • Reducing operational and supply chain costs and risks gas emissions and the State is not on track to meet its greenhouse • Creating new business models, products and services gas emissions goals. Action must • Meeting demand from customers, investors and employees be taken to decrease greenhouse • Building a regional brand that elevates Minnesota as a gases in our atmosphere, which great place to do business and live threatens our natural resources, health and well-being, as well as • Growing job opportunities for all and attracting and business continuity and growth. retaining talent in Minnesota • Improving quality of life in Minnesota

About the Sustainable Growth Coalition

Nearly 30 businesses and organizations formed the Sustainable Growth Coalition, a business led partnership harnessing their expertise to advance the next frontier of corporate sustainability—the circular economy. Our members are: , Ackerberg, Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, Andersen Corporation, Antea Group, Aveda, Barr, , Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, C.H. Robinson, , Great River Energy, GREATER MSP, HealthPartners, HGA, Metropolitan Airports Commission, Metropolitan Council, Mortenson, National Grid Renewables, Tennant, University of Minnesota, Uponor, Wenck – a Stantech company, . To achieve this vision, the Sustainable Growth Coalition will focus on these key areas:

Focus Area Rationale Desired State

Reducing energy consumption Energy Minnesota is the leader in energy and managing demand lowers conservation, productivity, and Efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions and managing demand. Conservation saves money.

Minnesota has a low-carbon A transition to lower-carbon energy supply that leverages and carbon-free fuels allows us its renewable resources and Transition to to better achieve our goals and optimizes distributed energy. Clean Energy addresses the health and social Individuals and organizations have impacts of energy production, many opportunities to equitably storage, transportation, and use. participate in the clean-energy market transition.

Optimization of the energy Minnesota is home to a modern Optimized system allows for greater energy system that makes Energy innovation and resilience while effective and efficient use Systems increasing access to affordable, of our energy resources and reliable clean energy. infrastructure.

Electrification can present cost- effective emissions reductions that Minnesota has minimized fossil Electrification provide business and innovation fuel use and emissions through opportunities and improve public electrification. health.

Greenhouse gas emissions are waste products from our energy Greenhouse system, but a circular economy Minnesota captures greenhouse Gas Capture will restore the natural carbon gasses for long-term storage or and Use cycle and take advantage of beneficial use. opportunities to use greenhouse gases as beneficial inputs.

Environmental Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to solving environmental problems collaboratively, convenes the Sustainable Growth Coalition. www.en-in.org