Sara and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, long-time Fresh Energy supporters and members of the Community of St. Martin in Minneapolis, have long been committed to addressing climate change through both personal actions and community-driven initiatives. As part of their ecumenical faith community, they participate in a unique, voluntary “gas tax” program that the Community started in 2011 for members that have not yet switched to an electric vehicle (EV). This program reflects their shared concern about the environmental impact of gasoline consumption, recognizing that the cost of gasoline does not truly cover the environmental costs of using it. By tracking the gas they use each month and voluntarily adding $1 to $2.50 per gallon purchased, community members that haven’t yet switched to EVs like Sara and Jack help fund organizations dedicated to combating climate change and environmental justice, including Fresh Energy.
“We realized the true cost of gasoline wasn’t being reflected in its price, especially when considering its environmental and health impacts,” Sara explains. “So, we decided to take matters into our own hands. Our ‘gas tax’ helps us stay conscious of our energy usage while pooling resources to support groups like Fresh Energy.”
Since 2016, Sara, Jack, and the Community of St. Martin have channeled their donations to Fresh Energy, appreciating our focused efforts to advance public policies to decarbonize Minnesota and the Midwest by midcentury, often focusing on the state and regional level. “Every time we fill our gas tank, we think about the climate,” Jack says. “This initiative not only makes us more aware of our lifestyle choices, but it also allows us to meaningfully contribute to organizations like Fresh Energy that are fighting for a carbon-free future.”
The couple first learned about Fresh Energy from a neighbor over two decades ago and have been impressed by Fresh Energy’s effectiveness in driving legislative action. “We’re deeply concerned about the future of our planet, especially for future Minnesotans,” Sara says.
For Sara and Jack, supporting Fresh Energy isn’t about seeking recognition but about making a tangible impact: “We want to contribute to an environment that can’t be easily undone by political changes,” Jack says. “It’s about building a resilient future. There’s a lot we can do on the individual level, but when we join together at the community level to support Fresh Energy, we can create much bigger change that will live well beyond our own lives.”
Sara, Jack, and the Community of St. Martin’s ongoing support as Power Circle donors reflects their dedication to Fresh Energy’s mission of creating a carbon-free future through strategic policy change. They encourage others who care about public policy and the future of Minnesota to consider supporting Fresh Energy.
“If you’re concerned about climate change and are interested in using public policy, especially state-level public policy with national implications, Fresh Energy is the perfect place to give,” says Jack.
You can join Sara and Jack in supporting Fresh Energy’s critical work by becoming a Power Circle donor today. For more information, please contact Meggie LaValley at lavalley@fresh-energy.org.
