Clean Energy

The expense of the energy transition has not accounted for the cost of doing nothing: the cost of climate damages and the cost poor air and water quality has on public health. While the transition will require upfront capital costs, the cost of wind and solar are now the cheapest form of new electricity generation. Paired with the falling cost of batteries, the result should be a more efficient, affordable and reliable grid. And, as a result, a more stable climate and cleaner air and water.

Expert: Aaron Hanson, Energy Program Specialist, Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

It is helpful to start with what the word "clean" implies. Most often, in this context it refers to carbon pollution. A key feature of most clean energy solutions, such as wind and solar power, is that they don't emit carbon dioxide pollution or other greenhouse gases when they generate power. This connects to climate change in a pretty straightforward way. As humans emit more carbon dioxide, the temperature of the Earth heats up globally, and that changes a lot of things. My colleagues and I in Morris are working to support and implement energy solutions that don't emit greenhouse gases.

Expert: Troy Goodnough, Sustainability Director, Office of Sustainability, University of Minnesota Morris

People often assume that clean energy lets us sidestep the siting and permitting fights associated with fossil fuels and pipelines. But wind and solar are often more dependent on new long-distance infrastructure than traditional fuels like coal and oil – especially transmission lines, which often face the same or greater opposition from landowners, environmental groups and regulators. So the clean energy buildout raises the stakes of already difficult questions about how to balance aesthetic, environmental and economic concerns.

Expert: James Coleman, Professor of Law, Law School, University of Minnesota Twin Cities