
It was widely anticipated that upon taking office on January 20, 2025, the new Trump Administration would issue sweeping executive orders aiming to roll back federal climate policy progress across the board and freeze crucial funding. And indeed, executive orders on day one to exit the Paris Agreement — and reverse other federal climate and energy progress — has made it starkly apparent that we have entered an extremely challenging time for equitable climate action. In addition to this, the Trump Administration is working to pause federal financial assistance, which is how many clean energy, humanitarian, and education, to name just a few, programs are funded.
However, we know this playbook, and we also know that our strongest and best defense against it is to prioritize ambitious, equity-centered clean energy and climate work at the local, state, and regional levels — something Fresh Energy and our community of partners excel at.
What do Federal rollbacks mean for Minnesota?
Many of President Trump’s anti-climate announcements are threats that will not immediately come to pass. But headwinds are strong. One thing we know for sure: When the federal government is doing less, Minnesota needs to do more.
Together, we will work to:
- Accelerate Minnesota’s emission reduction progress to ensure the country moves forward, even without national commitments, like the Paris Agreement, to set emission reduction targets.
- Make the most of funding programs — such as state and federal incentives, already-granted Inflation Reduction Act funds, Minnesota’s Climate Innovation Finance Authority, and other loan programs — to drive equity-centered progress.
- Advance climate policy through venues such as the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and state agencies.
- Co-create opportunities with local governments across the state that benefit communities and grow jobs.
- Work in close collaboration with Minnesota’s Congressional delegation, State Attorney General, and other national leaders to defend climate policies and programs at all levels of government.
Our promise to you
Throughout our 30-year history Fresh Energy has developed deep and robust expertise at driving and leveraging state-level policy action here in Minnesota. Our approach to advancing clean energy policy while also providing a defensive bulwark against policies that aim to undo clean energy and climate progress will be more critical now than ever.
Over the coming years Fresh Energy will be continuing to lean in and ensure that Minnesota continues to be the North Star of climate action – regardless of what’s happening in Washington D.C.
In addition to unrelenting advocacy here at home, our team of policy experts will be contributing their skills and knowledge when and where they can as we stand alongside partners and stakeholders to defend climate policy and progress nationally. As climate denial-fueled federal actions are litigated in court, trust that Fresh Energy will be working hard at every opportunity to maintain and build upon the climate progress we’ve made together.
The path ahead will be difficult as the new administration will continue to target climate action, electric vehicles, wind power, and beyond. And of course, our broader community faces so many threats – new and abhorrent threats to human rights, civic institutions, and so many of our democratic principles will continue to challenge us in our work and in our lives. Fresh Energy stands in solidarity with those most impacted by such attacks and will continue to do so in the months and years to come.
While this is extremely daunting, Fresh Energy is looking ahead with a commitment to our mission and team and to ensuring Minnesota’s climate goals stay on track.
Watch our website for regular updates. We plan to provide Minnesotans with the information they need to both know how our state is still making climate progress and ways to take action that rise to this historic moment.
What can you do now?
- Donate: Fresh Energy can’t do our work without the support of donors. With a donation, you ensure Fresh Energy can keep up our unrelenting advocacy here in Minnesota. Make a donation today.
- Sign up for the Action Network: Through the Action Network, Fresh Energy helps take the guess work out of navigating policy and institutions for advocates like you to ensure you’re always up to date on where your voice can make the great impact. The Action Network is also a great way to meet other Minnesotans like you who care about our clean energy future. Learn more and sign up.
- Get smart: Knowledge is power, and you can learn more about clean energy terms and key policies with our “Summer Energy School” curriculum that will guide you through critical energy-related topics ranging from Integrated Resource Planning to building codes, and beyond.
- Subscribe: Signing up for Fresh Energy’s monthly e-newsletter is the best way to stay current on the latest clean energy news, events, webinars, new episodes of “Decarbonize: The Clean Energy Podcast,” and more!