Clean Energy

Photo from a climate justice protest in Minneapolis
From a climate justice protest in Minneapolis

Mission

We work to advance our abundant renewable energy resources and end our dependence on fossil fuels to provide cleaner, healthier air, and a stable climate, while promoting equity and justice every step of the way.

What We Do

Our members are volunteers of all ages and experience levels who care about achieving better air quality, addressing climate change, and building a clean, renewable energy future. Our work includes:

  • Advocating for policies at the legislature and the Public Utilities Commission that
    • Increase the supply of clean, renewable energy
    • Create more access to clean energy and energy efficiency for low income and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities
    • Create clean energy jobs

  • Partnering with other organizations on powerful projects and campaigns to advance our goals

  • Collecting petitions and writing letters or making phone calls to decision-makers

  • Informing the public on current issues fact sheets, public meetings, and greater media visibility

Get Involved

Join us at our monthly meetings!

Date: 4th Tuesday of the month
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.

RSVP and details on the website calendar, meetings always include a video/call-in option. Questions? Contact Patty at patty.okeefe@sierraclub.org.

More Information on Current Priorities

Our current priorities fall into four main categories:

Stopping the bad: We work to push back on any proposals to build new fossil fuel infrastructure in Minnesota. This work also includes efforts to electrify our buildings and get so-called natural gas out of our homes.

Build the new: We’re advancing the 100% clean energy bill at the state level, as well as pushing for more community solar and energy efficiency at the Capitol and in local communities.

Environmental justice: We strive to do all of our work through a lens of environmental justice because shifting our energy sector offers opportunities to address racial and economic disparities in pollution and energy costs. Our Environmental Justice Committee meets monthly. Contact Delaney at delaney.sierraclub@gmail.com to join.

Raising awareness: Our Education and Outreach team is in the community, tabling at events and talking to people about climate change and environmental justice. Email Patty at patty.okeefe@sierraclub.org if you’d like to join our monthly coordination meetings.

Check out our tips for Energy Conservation here: Energy Conservation Corner tips.

Recent Clean Energy Updates

Legislative Update

May 3, 2021
Last week, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed two bills that would set our state on the right path to addressing climate change.

This Coal Bailout Is Bad For Minnesota

May 3, 2021
Great River Energy's Coal Creek plant was slated to be retired last year, but not because of environmental or health concerns -- the plant simply wasn’t profitable. By GRE’s own reporting, Coal Creek lost member-owners at least $170 million a year....

Fake Solutions for the Climate Crisis

April 9, 2021
We don’t have time for fake solutions to the climate crisis. We’re not meeting our current emissions reduction goals. How could we possibly get back on track with outdated ideas like ethanol?

Monthly Highlights

March 2, 2021
It's 34 degrees as I write this and I’m feeling the sun’s love. We’ve gained two hours of daylight in the 67 days since the winter solstice. Each day bringing a new chance to build the just, sustainable world we need. We’re also now 46 days into the...