Fresh Energy

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission unanimously approves Xcel’s 15-year plan

Today, the Public Utilities Commission held its final hearing and unanimously approved with modifications Xcel Energy’s 15-year energy plan (Integrated Resource Plan). After two years of rigorous study, Xcel Energy proposed a Midwest-leading energy plan for the next 15 years – doubling the amount of wind and solar on its system and taking significant strides to reduce coal with the retiring of Sherco units 1 and 2 in the mid-2020s. Xcel’s proposed energy plan saw broad support from customers, including over 10,000 Minnesotans; cities of Becker, Red Wing, and Minneapolis; Sherburne County; clean energy organizations, and the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce.

J. Drake Hamilton recognized as top climate leader

President Barack Obama greets attendees in the Blue Room before he delivers remarks on the Clean Power Plan in the East Room of the White House, Aug. 3, 2015. Participants include: Nathaniel Baer, Iowa Environmental Council; Georges Benjamin, American Public Health Association; Ron Busby, U.S. Black Chambers; J. Drake Hamilton, Fresh Energy; Ben Fowke, Xcel Energy; Anne Hedges, Montana Environmental Information Center; Thad Hill, Calpine Corporation; Pam Kiely, Environmental Defense Fund; Rev. Mitch Hescox, Evangelical Environmental Network; Derek Murrow, Natural Resources Defense Council; Gabe Pacyniak, Georgetown Climate Center; Ricky Revesz, New York University; Elena Rios, National Hispanic Medical Association; Doug Scott, Great Plains Institute; Harold Wimmer, American Lung Association. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) This photograph is provided by THE WHITE HOUSE as a courtesy and may be printed by the subject(s) in the photograph for personal use only. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not otherwise be reproduced, disseminated or broadcast, without the written permission of the White House Photo Office. This photograph may not be used in any commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.

Fresh Energy’s science policy director, J. Drake Hamilton, was recently recognized as one of the Top 10 Climate Leaders of 2015-2016 by the Climate Reality Project. J.’s actions on climate leadership led her to receiving the #6 award out of nearly 11,000 global leaders. At Fresh Energy, J. continues to inspire and encourage diverse audiences to support climate and energy policies that combat the threat of global warming and create a clean energy future. If you would like J. to speak at your event, please contact her at 651-726-7562 or Hamilton@fresh-energy.org.

May 10 | Positively Electric: Embracing clean electricity to power more of our economy

With Minnesota’s electricity mix becoming cleaner and less expensive – and oil and gas becoming dirtier, riskier and more costly – is it time to transition to a more electric economy? Fresh Energy thinks the answer is a resounding yes. We think it’s time to start putting electricity from the wind, the sun, and other local clean power sources into more of Minnesota’s economy.