U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Announce Clean Energy Awards for Electric Co-Ops Across Minnesota

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) announced funding to make energy upgrades for more than 150,000 people and homes in Greater Minnesota. Nine electric co-ops across the state are receiving federal funding to make energy upgrades that will reduce costs for consumers and increase energy efficiency. Minnesota’s electric cooperatives provide electricity to nearly one-third of the state.
“The clean energy transition is here, and we can either lead or follow. I want Minnesota to lead, and with this announcement, we will,”said Senator Smith.“With this investment, cooperatives can unleash clean energy in a way that works best for their communities. This will fight climate change. This will lower energy costs. And this will strengthen our energy security and resilience by ensuring our rural communities continue to have safe, reliable and clean, American-made energy for years to come.”
“Far too many households struggle to afford their heating costs. Families should not have to choose between paying for heat and other necessities,”said Senator Klobuchar.“With this investment, electric cooperatives can reduce energy costs for families across our state while strengthening access to clean, reliable power.”
Senator Smith was instrumental in securing this funding for rural electric co-ops through her work on the clean energy provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act. The program funding these projects, dubbed the Empowering Rural America (or New ERA) program, was partially inspired by Senator Smith’sFlexible Financing for Rural America Act. This set of awards follow the announcement of three previous awards to Minnesota co-opslast fall.
Nine electric co-ops in Minnesota received funding:
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