Keeping Energy Dollars In Minnesota

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Minnesotans spend at least $20 billion a year for energy. Most of that money goes to other states that are rich in fossil fuels and leaves Minnesota with polluted air and water. With the right policies, Minnesota’s transition to clean energy can bring those dollars home to communities throughout our state in the coming decades.

At a forum on Tuesday night, speakers explain how distributed wind and solar energy differs from centralized or base energy and how the coming energy revolution can democratize the electricity system. John Farrell, Director of the Energy Self Reliant States and Communities Program at the Institute of Local Self Reliance, helped in planning and arranging the forums.

List of speakers

Lynn Hinkle – Policy Development Director
Minnesota Solar Industries Association – The Green-Blue Alliance: Solar Energy and Labor Issues in Relation to Clean Energy Development

John Farrell – Director, Energy Self Reliant States and Communities Program
Institute for Local Self Reliance -
How Distributed Wind Development Can Grow Jobs and Contribute to Economic Development in Minnesota

George Crocker, Executive Director, North American Water Office – The Importance of Community Organizing for Developing Distributed Renewable Energy

Cosponsors: the Bloomington Progressive Issues Forum, the Institute for local Self Reliance, Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, MN350,org, Oxfam America, the Pew Environment Group, Small Business Minnesota, and the Will Steger Foundation.