While clean energy activists in many other parts of the country are working to protect current renewable energy policies, Minnesota today has a new law that will spur growth in the state’s solar sector and will create good jobs for workers. Governor Mark Dayton signed into law a solar energy standard of 1.5 percent by 2020 for investor-owned utilities, with a goal of 10 percent solar energy by 2030. The standard was part of a larger omnibus energy bill that passed the Minnesota State House and Senate last week. 

In states like North Carolina, Ohio, and Kansas, there have been legislative attempts to reduce or eliminate their clean energy policies driving growth. The best defense against them has been that, in each of those states, those policies have created good jobs for workers.  These attempts have been clearly driven by groups like the American Legislative Exchange Council — a group funded by billionaires looking out for their own profits at the expense of clean air and good wages and benefits for workers. 

THE TOP 10 FOR MAY 24

Sunshine in Minnesota – Minnesota’s legislature and governor are bucking the national trend of attacks on clean energy policies and instead are looking to grow clean energy by implementing a solar energy standard. The law will spur growth in the state’s solar sector, create good jobs, and reduce pollution. The BlueGreen Alliance’s Executive Director David Fosterlauded the law, saying, “We’re thankful for the leadership of Governor Dayton and the authors in the Senate and House — Senator John Marty and Representative Melissa Hortman — who understand that clean energy means a stronger economy and a cleaner environment. Those are certainly two things that are in the best interest of the citizens of our state.” (Midwest Energy News)

Collapse - A bridge on I-5 in Washington State collapsed yesterday, plunging vehicles into the cold water below. Thankfully, no one lost their life in the collapse. (USA Today)

Furloughed – The sequester cuts are forcing four federal agencies — including the EPA — to shut down for today and workers to go without pay. (Politico)

Things could get bad – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) joined a number of other organizations in saying that they expect an active hurricane season this year. (Washington Post)

Transit relief – The U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding $3.7 billion in relief aid to transit systems damaged by Hurricane Sandy so they can repair equipment and prepare for future storms. (The Hill)

Transit Caucus – A new bipartisan group in Congress will advocate on behalf of transit. (The Hill)

Defending LEED – The U.S. Green Building Council is ramping up its efforts to defend its LEED certification from an amendment backed by chemicals groups that may be offered to a bipartisan energy efficiency bill. (E&E News)

Chemicals in your home – U.K. scientists are calling for stricter controls over bisphenol A and phthalates — chemicals commonly found in any number of items, from store receipts to tin cans that have been found to interfere with key hormones in the human body. (Daily Mail)

Keeping the pressure on – California Governor Jerry Brown is pulling no punches when it comes to climate change, calling forrenewed efforts to fight it.

Reframing the debate – Electric carmaker Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk says climate advocates must reframe the argument on climate science to win the debate. (The Hill)

Now more than ever, Americans want to see our leaders address the effects of climate change and expand clean energy investments according to a new poll out yesterday from Yale/George Mason Universities. Concerns about recent extreme weather across the country have helped bring the issue of climate change back into the headlines and back into people’s minds. The divide we now need to bridge is between the public’s interest in seeing results and Congress’ willingness to act.

The poll shows that a whopping 70 percent of Americans say global warming should be a priority for our leaders and 87 percent say expanding sources of clean, renewable energy should also be a priority. The issue has only gotten more pertinent for the public over the years.

THE TOP 10 FOR MAY 23

Tesla – Electric carmaker Tesla Motors is paying off its $451 million loan from the Department of Energy nine years earlier than required. (Reuters)

Not place for politics – The editorial board of the New Jersey Star-Ledger says there is no place for politics when it comes to disaster aid. In their editorial, they chided lawmakers who are dragging their feet on helping victims of the tornado in Oklahoma. (New Jersey Star-Ledger)

Shrinking shutdowns – You can always count on auto plants shutting down during the summer, but these shutdowns will be cut short this year due to high consumers demand. (Detroit News)

Debate? Forget about it – The science behind climate change isn’t debatable at this point, according to our nation’s new Energy Secretary Dr. Ernest Moniz. At his swearing in he said, “Let me make it very clear that there is no ambiguity in terms of the scientific basis calling for a prudent response on climate change… I am not interested in debating what is not debatable.” (The Hill)

Get em out of there – A new bipartisan bill in the Senate would give the EPA the ability to ban dangerous chemicals. They currently don't have this authority under the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976.  (Chicago Tribune)

Carbon tax – The Congressional Budget Office says a carbon tax could generate significant revenue and help avert the catastrophic events of climate change. (The Hill)

Vulnerable grid – A new congressional report says America’s aging electrical grid is vulnerable to attacks from foreign counties. (Politico)

Jersey shore – Residents along the Jersey Shore are still trying to recover from Hurricane Sandy, and they are now pondering the future as the ocean rises. (USA Today)

U.K. told not to delay on renewables – A government climate change watchdog in the U.K. says investing in new renewable energy will be the lower-cost option for keeping the lights on while cutting carbon emissions. (The Guardian)

So fresh, so green – Check out this map that looks at where green jobs are, which states have the most LEED-certified buildings, and other clean economy indicators. (Fast Coexist)

The following blog was written by Lee Anderson, BlueGreen Alliance Senior Policy and Legislative Advocate.

What happens if you remove the consumer from a consumer economy? Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor during much of the Clinton administration, has been attempting to answer that question, and to explain the implications to the masses for many years. As an author, teacher, columnist, and public voice for the working class, he has achieved a high degree of visibility and respect on the issues of income inequality, social justice, and the implications for democracy.

His latest project, done in collaboration with filmmaker Jacob Kornbluth, is a new film currently being shown in select markets entitled Inequality for All. Shot through with Reich’s characteristic humor, often using his own physical stature to elicit a laugh, the film’s aim, and the points Reich seeks to convey, could not be more serious. 

THE TOP 10 FOR MAY 22

Polling – Climate change and clean energy should be priorities for both Congress and the President, according to a vast majority of Americans in a new poll. In the survey, 70 percent of Americans say climate change should be a priority, while 87 percent say leaders should take action to develop clean energy. (Los Angeles Times)

Round Two – In January, the second act of the sequester will take effect. The sequester cuts will again be across-the-board (leading to things like cutting funding for fighting wildfires in what is expected to be a bad wildfire season) unless Congress acts to stop it. (The Hill)

Cleaning up schools – New York City schools will be getting cleaner soon thanks to an agreement that is speeding up the timetable for removing faulty light fixtures from the facilities. The fixtures are leaking a PCBs, a chemical that the EPA’s regional administrator says, “should not be in any school.” (New York Times)

Getting going – Newly confirmed Department of Energy Secretary Dr. Ernest Moniz says he’ll help advance a bipartisan energy bill in Congress. (The Hill)

On the cusp – Solar power is getting easier to store and cheaper. Are we on the cusp of a solar energy boom in the United States? (This Week)

Up for a vote – A tax incentive to promote wind energy in Nebraska is heading to a final vote in the state’s legislature.(Yahoo)

Head in the sand – New Jersey Governor Chris Christie says he doesn’t believe state agencies need to prepare for climate change in the wake of flooding after Hurricane Sandy. (WNYC)

Better wind forecasting – Xcel Energy is partnering with the National Center for Atmospheric Research to improve wind-forecasting abilities for renewable energy facilities. (Midwest Energy News) 

Greening GOP – The Atlantic takes a look at what it calls the "(slow, tentative) greening of the GOP.” (The Atlantic)

It's electric – There are now 100,000 electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on the road in the U.S. In 2012, electric vehicle sales tripled from 2011. (Green Car Reports)

The following blog is from Lisa Hoyos, California Director of the BlueGreen Alliance 

With the announcement that there have been over 100,000 electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids sold in the U.S., it’s clear that there are more and more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road. One of the reasons for that growth is that federal, state and local units of government are taking action to promote and create the infrastructure necessary for these vehicles to flourish. 

Let’s focus on some state and local actions that are promoting EVs. Communities in California, in particular, are at the forefront of policies that are driving growth. Many communities have built up the infrastructure needed to charge vehicles, but as more and more people choose EVs, that changes where and how many charging stations are needed. One example is the discussion that recently happened in Santa Clara County, where County Supervisors are looking to shape a public policy to allow more electric vehicle chargers — a key component to achieving wide-spread use of these types of vehicles. In Los Gatos, new rules are being considered for parking at electric charging stations due to the increased demand from the public. 

There are also ancillary benefits beyond the environmental ones to communities choosing to invest now in technology that supports electric powered vehicles. As we build more charging infrastructure for these vehicles, we also create good jobs for workers in a number of sectors, including those manufacturing the components for the chargers and the electricians and skilled tradespeople who install and maintain them. 

THE TOP 10 FOR MAY 21

Tragic – At least 51 people — including at least 20 children — were killed by amassive tornado in Oklahoma yesterday. The tornado was estimated to be almost two miles wide at some points. (CNN)

It is back – Carbon dioxide again passed the 400 parts per million milestone over the weekend. (Los Angeles Times)

Pushing efficiency – A number of business groups are working to build momentum in the Senate to pass a bipartisan energy efficiency bill. (The Hill)

Trend – Ford projects that smaller, more fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines will make up 66 percent of the engines in new vehicles by 2020.(Detroit News)

Interview – Grist has an interview with billionaire clean energy investor and supporter Tom Steyer. (Grist)

That’s a lot of savings – An energy audit of infrastructure in Decatur, Illinois found that a $16.8 million investment could yield $24 million in savings over the next 17 years. (Decatur Herald-Review)

Ground rules – North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed a bill that lays out the process for applicants to notify neighbors, as well as nearby local governments and military installations, of their plans to install wind turbines.(Triangle Business Journal)

Going electric – A solar charging station in a suburb of Chicago is an example of the kind of infrastructure needed for the fast-growing electric vehicle market. (Chicago Tribune)

Clean energy savings – An Ohio State University report says that consumers have saved $170 million from the state’s clean energy law. Despite this, efforts to repeal the law continue. (Columbus Dispatch)

Solar stocks – Check out this story on the stock growth of SolarCity — a solar energy company that installs and manages solar panels on homes and businesses, renting the systems out for a monthly fee. (Wall Street Journal)

Last week, the Minnesota State Energy Sector Partnership held an event at the State Capitol in St. Paul to highlight the success of the grantees of their three-year, $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The partnership was funded as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The BlueGreen Alliance Foundation’s Anoka Green and Minnesota Green programs were among the grantees that received funding from the grant and their successes were highlighted during the daylong event. 

Jerome Balsimo, Training Manager for the GreenPOWER program, was on hand at the event to share the successes of both the programs. “We’ve had great success helping people find jobs and giving them job skills they can use to make the companies they work for more efficient and green,” said Balsimo. “Eighty-five percent of the unemployed participants in the Anoka Green program were placed in jobs and 76 percent of the participants in the Minnesota Green program have gotten jobs so far.” 

Anoka Green combines the GreenPOWER training — a series of workshops designed to help workers find energy and water efficiency and reduce waste, saving money for companies — with a Precision Sheet Metal training course at the Anoka County Technical College. Minnesota Green combined GreenPOWER with additional training in medical device manufacturing or customized welding training. Over 53 percent of the participants in Minnesota Green found employment in the medical device field, with the remainder finding jobs in the welding industry. 

THE TOP 10 FOR MAY 20

On the rise – The average price of gasoline in the U.S. spiked 11 cents over the last two weeks. (TIME)

Growing louder – The New York Times editorial board says climate warnings are growing louder it's up to President Obama to take executive action to address it because of the dysfunction in Congress. (New York Times)

No filibuster? – EPA Administrator nominee Gina McCarthy may not be filibustered on the floor. (E&E News)

The road to green – A TIME magazine writer points out the benefits of — even failed — investments in moving America forward to a cleaner, more sustainable economy. (TIME)

Closing in – The price of generating solar energy in some markets are the world is coming closer to the price of wind.(Reuters)

Deadlier heat waves – Researcher say climate change will increase weather-related deaths in metro areas in the coming decades. (The Guardian)

Turned to dust – Wells are running dry on farms along the High Plains Aquifer. (New York Times)

Better forecasts – With hurricane season set to start in only two weeks, researchers are working to improve forecastingafter last year’s Hurricane Sandy. (Washington Post)

Bright future for MN solar – The efforts to implement a solar energy standard in Minnesota have paid off, and the policy will pay off long into the future. (Grist)

EPA employee speaks out – An EPA employee is speaking out about how the sequester cuts are impacting her family and her job. (E&E News)