On Thursday, Gov. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., delivered a proclamation that declared March 22 as “Clean Energy Business Day” in Minnesota.
The proclamation coincided with Clean Energy Business Day at the Capitol – an advocacy day for business owners, clean energy workers and advocates.
“Clean energy businesses employ 57,351 Minnesotans, as of 2016, with wages 42 percent higher than the statewide average,” Dayton proclaimed. “Minnesota’s nation-leading clean energy policies have established a unique competitive advantage for innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and businesses to deliver value-added products and services growing Minnesota’s clean energy markets.”
“Minnesota is a standout when it comes to launching successful clean energy businesses that both create well-paying jobs – and are helping build a clean energy economy,” comments Gregg Mast, Clean Energy Economy MN’s executive director. “[Yesterday’s] Clean Energy Business Day is about sharing these success stories with legislators – and asking that we build on this momentum. To ensure Minnesota continues to create jobs and attract investment in this fast-growing sector, our state’s leaders should advance policies that further increase opportunities for growth and innovation in the energy efficiency and clean energy industry.”
“Forward-looking energy policies established a decade ago have effectively allowed Minnesota to be a leader in businesses that profit from working on renewable energy projects,” adds Beth Soholt, executive director of Wind on the Wires. “From engineering to construction and everything in between, businesses small and large now comprise a very robust employment sector in Minnesota. These businesses employ thousands of hard-working men and women across our state, and they provide good, family-supporting jobs. The more Minnesota invests in the clean, renewable energy sector, the more benefits we will enjoy together. Low-cost renewable energy that we can harvest right here at home is just smart for Minnesota.”
“The Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA) serves its business members as the voice of the Minnesota solar industry and is excited to partner with other clean energy business groups to showcase the excellent work of its solar members to contribute to the Minnesota economy in a meaningful way,” says Liz Lucente, MnSEIA’s communications director and general counsel. “In 2018, we look forward to reaching one GW of solar installations statewide: This is no small feat and is owing to Minnesota policies promoting and encouraging solar development alongside our industry’s effort to create and maintain family-supporting jobs and enhance the state’s $2 billion solar economy.”
