In 2013, the Minnesota Legislature adopted its most significant clean energy reforms since 2007. Bills passed into law were a good first step in answering Governor Mark Dayton’s call to transition to a cleaner energy future that creates thousands of jobs for Minnesotans. Learn more about our clean energy and efficiency accomplishments at the legislature this year.

The effort to pass a new metro-area sales tax to fund critical investments in transit and biking and walking connections has officially failed for this year. The story of transit in 2013 showcases the highs and lows of trying to pass transformative public investments.

The effort to pass a new metro-area sales tax to fund critical investments in transit, biking, and walking has officially failed for this legislative session.

Plus: An Ohio State University team aims to build the world’s fastest electric car.

On May 10, the Minnesota Senate passed a slightly modified version of an earlier comprehensive transportation funding bill 35-27. Fresh Energy supports this bill, which will provide transformative funding for transit, walking, and biking, and needed road funding.

Today, the Minnesota Senate passed its Energy Omnibus bill in a 37-26 vote. This comes after the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the House version of the bill on Tuesday.

Plus: The University of Wisconsin receives $10 million for a program to help the dairy industry reduce its climate impact.

Last night, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed its Energy Omnibus bill. The bill establishes a solar energy standard of four percent by 2025, expands Minnesota’s solar market, increases the state’s Renewable Electricity Standard to 40 percent by 2030 for investor-owned utilities, and removes barriers to developing clean locally produced power.

Plus: In what the franchise owner calls an “experiment,” a Cleveland-area McDonald’s is equipped with a wide range of energy-saving technology, including a 341-panel solar array and a geothermal heating and cooling system.

On May 10, stop by Sparrow Cafe for a one-hour meeting with Joel Cannon, CEO of tenKsolar, to talk about solar manufacturing in Minnesota.