Recent News

Missed opportunity for clean energy as gas plant bill moves forward

Left to right: Clean energy advocates Kevin Reuther of Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, J. Drake Hamilton of Fresh Energy, Jessica Tritsch of Sierra Club, and Leigh Currie of Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy on a tour of Sherco.

Today, Governor Dayton signed a bill into law that allows Xcel Energy to build a natural gas plant in Becker, Minnesota. Though Fresh Energy believes that the bill is a missed opportunity to pursue even greater investments in local clean energy sources like wind, solar, and energy efficiency, we are hopeful that Xcel will bring plans for the proposed plant to the Public Utilities Commission for careful review.

J. Drake Hamilton ranked among global climate action leaders and influencers

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 for her outstanding climate action leadership by Onalytica. The Climate Action Award: Top 100 Influencers and Brands, released on February 7, 2017- ranked J. Drake Hamilton #76 in global influence, based on relevance and reach of social media content, engagement with followers, and frequency of reference to her content.

Minnesota leads on solar for pollinators and crops

2016 was the first year of Minnesota’s solar bloom — but there’s plenty more to come. While even more solar sites are planned to be built in the years ahead, tens of millions of native flowers and short-growing meadow grasses will be taking root under and around the panels. Look for black-eyed susans to develop faster than the rest, followed by purple prairie clover, partridge pea, butterfly weed, and more.