Ceres joins businesses in Minnesota to welcome the passage of bipartisan energy legislation

Ceres joins businesses with employees and operations across Minnesota to applaud state legislators and Gov. Tim Walz for coming together to pass and sign into law bipartisan legislation to reduce energy waste and help Minnesotans save money on their utility bills. 

The Energy Conservation & Optimization (ECO) Act will expand the state’s successful Conservation Improvement Program (CIP), which helps Minnesota businesses and households use electricity and natural gas more efficiently. CIP has been a proven source of revenue and jobs for communities across the state, generating a $4 return for every $1 invested in the program. The bill passed with broad support from both sides of the aisle following multiple years of advocacy and negotiations. 

"We commend the leadership of the Minnesota legislature for working to pass the ECO Act as part of the 2021 legislative session, said Dan Schibel, sustainability manager at Aveda. "We applaud the impact that this bill will have on the environment and health of all Minnesotans by expanding energy efficiency options."

“Programs that help businesses reduce energy waste are vital to meeting our climate goals while also reducing costs and supporting economic growth in local communities,” said Elysa Hammond, senior vice president of environmental stewardship, at Clif Bar. “We welcome the passage of the ECO Act and are pleased that the Minnesota facilities in our value chain will now have more opportunities to reap the benefits of energy efficiency.” 

“The ECO Act will create savings for all Minnesota residents and businesses, support new jobs and investment in the state, and help recover the economy from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gary Swanson, president and owner of Energy Management Solutions, an Excelsior-based company that helps hundreds of Minnesota businesses reduce their utility bills through energy efficiency upgrades. “I applaud legislative leaders for taking this important bipartisan step to making sure that these savings can be realized."

“Energy efficiency is so critical to driving our nation’s transition to a net-zero carbon future,” said Jim Madej, CEO of Franklin Energy and AM Conservation Group. “More ambitious energy efficiency goals will deliver a clean energy trifecta—reducing carbon emissions, lowering energy use and energy bills, and creating the kinds of jobs that build stronger local economies and communities.”

In February, Ceres organized 10 businesses and institutions in Minnesota to call on legislative leadership to adopt the ECO Act, citing the significant economic opportunity presented by energy waste reduction and energy efficiency investments. The businesses include both small energy service providers and large consumer brands, such as Aveda, Cree Lighting, Energy Management Solutions, Franklin Energy, IKEA, and Oracle, among others. 

“We support the ECO Act as a means to strengthen the energy market, boost economic development, and improve public health in Minnesota,” the businesses wrote in a letter to legislative leadership. “By broadening the scope and improving the accessibility of CIP offerings, ECO will drive much needed energy stability and economic return for Minnesota businesses and consumers as they strive to remain competitive.”

“The ECO Act is a long overdue win for Minnesota businesses and residents,” said Alli Gold Roberts, director of state policy Ceres, a sustainability nonprofit organization that works with businesses in Minnesota and organized the letter. “Passing the ECO Act is an important step in making progress on Minnesota’s climate goals. Ceres looks forward to working with the business community and lawmakers to build on this win with even more bipartisan collaboration on clean energy and climate action in Minnesota.” 

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.