Federal funds drive clean energy in Minnesota

By Scout Nelson

Governor Tim Walz recently highlighted substantial federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) aimed at boosting clean energy in Minnesota’s rural communities. As part of the Empowering Rural America Program, the USDA will allocate $7.3 billion to support rural electric cooperatives, helping rural Minnesotans transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy sources. 

Governor Walz emphasized the program's importance, stating, “The expansion of green infrastructure will reduce the impacts of climate change while delivering more affordable electricity for Minnesotans.

The Empowering Rural America Program grant is helping us build resilient communities, ensuring a smooth transition to clean energy while strengthening energy security, keeping electricity costs low, and creating good-paying jobs.”

The funding will aid rural electric cooperatives across 23 states, including four Minnesota-based providers, serving about 5 million households, farms, businesses, and schools. This initiative is projected to significantly enhance green energy infrastructure while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The program is estimated to:

• Leverage more than $29 billion in private investments.
• Build over 10 gigawatts of clean energy capacity.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43.7 million tons annually, equivalent to removing 10 million cars from the road.

Grace Arnold, Minnesota Commerce Commissioner, echoed these sentiments, highlighting that the funding will “deliver more affordable, reliable, safer and cleaner energy for our rural communities.

” This federal investment is set to boost Minnesota’s clean energy economy, creating new infrastructure and jobs while facilitating the state’s transition to a sustainable energy future. 

The four rural electric cooperatives in Minnesota benefitting from the program include Basic Electric Power Cooperative, Dairyland Power Cooperative, Great River Energy, and Minnkota Power Cooperative.

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