The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will funnel a historic $1.2 trillion into states—about $6.8 billion of which is headed to Minnesota. These funds will go toward much-needed investments in weatherization assistance, energy efficiency, power and grid, electric transportation, and more—all of which play a major role in our climate future as we seek energy independence. But how can local and state policymakers, agency staff, elected officials, nonprofit advocates, thought leaders, and all...

Electric panel updates are a crucial way to speed up home electrification, but cost can be a barrier. That’s why Fresh Energy is leading a new effort at the Minnesota Legislature this year to prepare Minnesota’s existing residential buildings for the transition to fossil-free electricity: An electric panel upgrade program for owners of single family and multifamily buildings. Podcast Guests:  Eric Fowler, Senior Coalition Communications and Policy Associate at Fresh EnergyMari Ojeda, Senior...

Fresh Energy is celebrating 30 years of making history for clean energy and climate here in Minnesota and the Midwest. Join Michael Noble, J. Drake Hamilton, and Jim Ladner for a conversation about some pivotal moments in each decade of Fresh Energy’s history.  Podcast Guests:  Michael Noble, Executive Director of Fresh EnergyJ. Drake Hamilton, Senior Director, Science Policy at Fresh Energy Jim Ladner, Fresh Energy Board MemberHost: Jo Olson, Director of Communications and...

Electrifying medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is good for climate, public health, and our economy—and we’ve got the data to back it up, thanks to a new report from Fresh Energy on behalf of the Coalition for Clean Transportation. Join experts and advocates from Fresh Energy, MN350, Sierra Club, and the Environmental Resource Management Group (ERM). Panelists:  Anjali Bains, Fresh EnergyJoshua Houdek, Sierra ClubMadi Johnson, MN350Dave Seamonds and Ellen Robo, ERM GroupModerated by Fresh...

Natural gas—also known as fossil gas—is everywhere these days. It’s in our buildings, where we burn it to heat spaces and water and to cook our food. It’s in our neighborhoods, running through pipes that crisscross our streets. It’s in our electricity grid, where we burn it to create electricity. And it’s in the news. We’re hearing more and more about fossil gas, with published stories on the negative health, safety, financial, and climate impacts of burning and transporting fossil gas. But...

As news organizations focus more attention on environmental justice, what steps can they take to ensure they’re truly serving the communities they cover? In this virtual panel discussion, we talk to both journalists and advocates from Energy News Network, Grist, and the Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition about what equity in climate and energy journalism should look like, and what steps news organizations can take to move in that direction. Panelists:  Audrey Henderson, reporter,...

Join Fresh Energy's Bri Kerber and Mike Schowalter for a deep dive on the grid! Mike lays out the details on what exactly the grid is, how it works, the current challenges and opportunities in grid modernization, and discusses what’s next as we look to build the grid that will serve our clean energy future for generations to come.   Want even more details on what’s up with the grid? Check out this blog post Mike wrote all about it.  Podcast Guest: Mike Schowalter, Senior Policy Associate,...

The 2022 session of the Minnesota Legislature begins on January 31. Join the Fresh Energy team for a conversation about our plans and expectations for the coming session. The discussion will touch on  Minnesota’s budget surplus, bonding and budget proposals already on the table, our policy goals, and more! Podcast Guests: Michael Noble, Executive Director Justin Fay, Lead Director of Public Affairs Anna Johnson, Senior Associate of Public Affairs Eric Fowler, Coalition Communications and...

Let’s talk EVs! Join Shift2Electric’s Jukka Kukkonen and Fresh Energy’s Jo Olson and Justin Fay for a webinar about all-things electric vehicles (EVs) including Jukka's top 10 market trends and predictions, exciting new models, and the evolving federal EV landscape. This webinar is also available on YouTube here. View a comprehensive reference list of EV models, their specs, and more: shift2electric.com/evinfolist. Listeners can stay up to date on Fresh Energy's work via our once monthly...

Join Fresh Energy for a two-part episode as we discuss the state of coal in Minnesota. Part 1: Fresh Energy's Allen Gleckner and Isabel Ricker lay out the details on changes to coal plant operations, scheduled closure dates, utilities importing coal power from other states, and important ways listeners can get involved at home and with their utilities. Part 2: Fresh Energy's Anjali Bains and Justin Fay discuss what a just and equitable energy transition looks like in coal plant communities...

From late October through early November, almost 200 countries came together in Glasgow for the global climate summit, or COP26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Fresh Energy’s Senior Science Policy Director J. Drake Hamilton attended the summit and shared real-time updates on the Fresh Energy blog. Sit down with J. and the Science Museum of Minnesota's Pat Hamilton to get their take on everything that happened at the summit and what it means for the U.S. moving...

With the Global Climate Summit around the corner, countries and corporations are making major announcements for climate action. As our Senior Science Policy Director J. Drake Hamilton prepares to travel to Glasgow to attend the summit, we sat down with her for a behind-the-scenes look at what to expect at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), the role that Minnesota plays in the whole process, and which local businesses are leading the climate action charge in our...

In 2020, the FBI revealed details of a $60 million corruption case that has so far led to multiple arrests, including Ohio House speaker Larry Householder, and the resignation of the state’s top utility regulator. Join Energy News Network, journalists, and advocates from Ohio as we walk through the tangled web of dark money and back-door dealmaking that helped the state’s largest utility secure multiple bailouts while hamstringing efforts to advance clean energy. This event was hosted by...

At Fresh Energy, equity is a central pillar of our mission and a priority across the organization. Our Energy Access and Equity department is where the organization and the staff on today's podcast focus specifically on policies and programs that reduce the energy burden on under-resourced communities, increase opportunities for and access to clean energy jobs, and ensure our policy-based solutions—and Fresh Energy operations—are equitable in both process and outcome. And we're pleased to...

Tune in to Part 4 of Fresh Energy's "Intersection of Energy and Community" webinar series! The transition to an equitable, carbon-neutral economy will bring big changes to our communities. State and federal policies, utility programs, and the overall evolution from a world powered by oil and gas to a clean electricity-powered future, play out in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and homes. But it’s not just communities adapting to change. Cities, counties, and local institutions are often...

Tune in to Part 3 of Fresh Energy's "Intersection of Energy and Community" webinar series! The transition to an equitable, carbon-neutral economy will bring big changes to our communities. State and federal policies, utility programs, and the overall evolution from a world powered by oil and gas to a clean electricity-powered future, play out in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and homes. But it’s not just communities adapting to change. Cities, counties, and local institutions are often...

Tune in to Part 2 of Fresh Energy's "Intersection of Energy and Community" webinar series! The transition to an equitable, carbon-neutral economy will bring big changes to our communities. State and federal policies, utility programs, and the overall evolution from a world powered by oil and gas to a clean electricity-powered future, play out in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and homes. But it’s not just communities adapting to change. Cities, counties, and local institutions are often...

Tune in to Part 1 of Fresh Energy's "Intersection of Energy and Community" webinar series! The transition to an equitable, carbon-neutral economy will bring big changes to our communities. State and federal policies, utility programs, and the overall evolution from a world powered by oil and gas to a clean electricity-powered future, play out in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and homes. But it’s not just communities adapting to change. Cities, counties, and local institutions are often...

Against the odds, it has been an incredibly impactful year for energy at the Minnesota Legislature. Sit down with Fresh Energy's Michael Noble, Justin Fay, and Anna Johnson to discuss significant new investments in solar energy, new policy support for a just and equitable transition to clean energy, innovative new decarbonization strategies for gas utilities, and more. Guests: Michael Noble, Executive Director of Fresh EnergyJustin Fay, Lead Director of Public Affairs at Fresh Energy Anna...

Electric vehicles (EVs) are cleaner and more affordable than gasoline-powered cars—and they’re fun too. On April 29, 2021, Fresh Energy and Shift2 Electric hosted a free educational workshop that’s unaffiliated with any automakers. We had an honest conversation with Minnesotans across the state who own and drive EVs about their experiences. Listen in for a conversation with Shift2Electric's Jukka Kukkonen and panelists: Lisa, Kia Niro PHEVJodi, 2013 Nissan LeafBrian and Karen, Tesla Model Y...

Appalachia and Wyoming are dramatically different places, but they also offer each other cautionary tales, success stories, and reasons for resilience and hope. Last year, the Energy News Network and WyoFile captured this complex story in a six-part...

The 2021 session of the Minnesota Legislature is in its final month. Join the Fresh Energy team for a conversation about meaningful action for clean energy and climate that legislators can take yet this session. Learn what's still on the table and who...

On April 9, 2021, Fresh Energy's J. Drake Hamilton and Ben Passer were joined by U.S. Senator Tina Smith, meteorologist and climate leader Paul Douglas, and Science Museum of Minnesota President Alison Brown for a discussion about why acting now on...

Fresh Energy, along with Clean Grid Alliance, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, has filed expert comments with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on Xcel Energy's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). Join...

What does rejoining the Paris Agreement really mean for the U.S., the Midwest, and for Minnesota? What can we do to take this moment and make a real impact with big carbon reduction policies? Minnesota’s energy and climate policies, including passing...