Gov. Mark Dayton had good news for Minnesota earlier this month when he announced that more than 15,000 good-paying jobs have been created in the clean energy economy since 2000. We, at Vestas, are happy to be part of this new economy. Minnesota’s great wind resource and public policy that embraces clean energy have combined to make a great place for good-paying, family supporting jobs and economic development for rural Minnesota and the state as a whole.

A new report put out by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development indicates that wind power has grown the most, with a 288 percent increase in employment since 2000. Throughout Minnesota there are more than 1,700 wind energy jobs at 124 businesses. Vestas is pleased to employ 52 people in Minnesota with several additional hires expected in 2015.

Gov. Dayton and former Gov. Tim Pawlenty have been leaders in encouraging clean energy growth. Minnesota now ranks fifth in the nation in wind energy. But for Minnesota and the rest of the nation, there’s one more step that needs to be taken.

The Clean Power Plan will reduce carbon pollution in the power sector by 30 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels. This would be a larger reduction in carbon pollution than any state or country has taken. With less carbon-based power generation, there will be greater demand for clean energy power, which will further stimulate Minnesota’s clean energy industry. Let’s make that happen!

 

David Easler

Bingham Lake