The energy landscape continues to shift and evolve. Federal rollbacks, alongside local and global setbacks, are creating uncertainty for what the future of clean energy and climate action look like in Minnesota and the Midwest. But while many headlines focus on what’s changing at the national level, there’s a plethora of important and impactful work happening right here in Minnesota that’s creating a new playbook for clean energy and climate progress.
This year, Fresh Energy will host three Minnesota thought leaders at our annual Benefit Breakfast on September 30, 2025, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. These local changemakers will share how they’re navigating federal uncertainty to create real progress in their communities and industries. The morning will also feature our Fair of the Future all-electric showcase, giving attendees a hands-on look at the newest and most innovative clean energy technologies powering our lives.
Our expert panel will cut through the noise to translate national and global trends into real, local impact. What progress is already happening in our backyard? What opportunities lie ahead? And how can Minnesota continue to lead the way?
Join us for this conversation about what’s next for climate and energy in Minnesota and the Midwest — and how we can all take action to keep the momentum going despite uncertainty.
Register now to secure your spot for this dynamic event.
Action in the Heartland: Meet our three panelists
Federal policy changes and global challenges have created an uncertain environment for building our clean energy future. But amid that uncertainty, there’s still plenty of space for innovating and implementing clean energy technology, advancing community-driven solutions, and local leadership stepping up to guide the energy transition.
This year’s panel, hosted by Fresh Energy’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Margaret Cherne-Hendrick, will bring together three Minnesotans who are finding ways to move forward and make progress despite the shifting landscape.
Karie Kirschbaum
Community Development Director, City of Crookston; Co-founder, Empower Crookston
Karie Kirschbaum is proving that some of the most innovative clean energy solutions are happening in Greater Minnesota’s pragmatic communities. As Community Development Director for the City of Crookston and co-founder of Empower Crookston, she’s building the kind of collaborative partnerships that make our ambitious climate targets achievable at the local level.
Through strategic alliances with the University of Minnesota, Otter Tail Power Company, Fresh Energy, and many other organizations, her community-driven initiative seeks to advance a geothermal energy clean heating project, an energy efficiency project for hundreds of homes in Crookston, as well as a hybrid wind-solar-battery energy project near Crookston to power local services and improve grid reliability. Karie’s approach to rural leadership — whether she’s transforming 160 acres into an award-winning public recreation area or empowering youth to grant half a million dollars to local causes — demonstrates how Greater Minnesota is thinking big about their energy future. Her work shows that building Minnesota’s clean energy economy isn’t just about technology, but building community connections and local capacity that make lasting change possible.
Bob Blake
Founder and CEO, Solar Bear; Executive Director, Native Sun Community Power Development; Board Member, Fresh Energy
Bob Blake is redefining what community-powered clean energy looks like through his work as founder and CEO of Solar Bear (Gizis-o-makwa in Ojibwe), a solar development company in Minneapolis, and as Executive Director of Native Sun Community Power Development, a native-led nonprofit bringing the many benefits of the energy transition to rural Tribal communities, from clean energy projects and electric charging stations to electric school buses and e-bikes.
As a tribal citizen of the Red Lake Nation, Bob brings a unique perspective to the energy transition that centers on collaboration, cooperation, and communication, proving what’s possible when innovative, clean technologies are paired with community need. Bob’s approach to the energy transition proves that it’s not just about deploying clean alternatives; it’s about adapting them to serve the community in a way that honors their values and meets their specific needs.
Alex Savelli
Global Executive Director – Electrolyzers, Accelera by Cummins
Alex Savelli is helping solve one of the clean energy transition’s biggest puzzles: how to decarbonize the industries that are hardest to electrify. At Accelera by Cummins, Alex leads the charge in bringing green hydrogen solutions to heavy industry, working with customers across sectors that have traditionally relied heavily on polluting fossil fuels.
What makes Alex’s perspective especially valuable is his nearly three decades of experience in global energy markets, across multiple continents and energy sectors. As Alex helps to grow the nascent green hydrogen industry in Minnesota and the Midwest, his global perspective can show how innovative new technologies can be applied to serve Midwestern industries and communities — an important lens as we build economic, clean solutions to power our carbon-free future.
Join the conversation
While the pace of the energy transition is unclear, Minnesota’s commitment to progress remains strong. Karie, Bob, and Alex represent different approaches to advancing our clean energy future — from community-level initiatives to entrepreneurial ventures to global technology development. Their experiences offer valuable insights for anyone wondering how to stay engaged and make an impact during a time of change.
Whether you’re involved in policy, business, community organizing, or simply interested in Minnesota’s energy and climate future, this panel will provide practical perspectives on how we can create a carbon-free future that benefits everybody. The conversation will focus on what’s working, what’s possible, and how we can all contribute to continued progress in the Midwest.
We hope you can join us in-person (or online) on September 30 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre for our Fair of the Future all-electric showroom and an inspiring program with Karie, Bob, and Alex. Learn more and register for the 2025 Benefit Breakfast now.