Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Federal Funding for Solar Energy for Tribal Communities and Low-Income Households
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced two grants that will expand residential solar projects in Minnesota. The first grant will help increase solar adoption in lower-income communities who are often excluded from clean energy projects. The second award will help build solar energy capacity for Minnesota Tribal communities. These “Solar for All” grants are made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which both Klobuchar and Smith helped get passed into law. “When it comes to clean energy, I’ve always said we can either lead or follow. I think Minnesota should lead, and that’s exactly what these grants will enable us to do,” said Senator Tina Smith. “These grants will make solar power to accessible Minnesota communities who have traditionally been excluded from the energy transition, bringing them an energy source that is both clean and affordable.” Minnesota will benefit from two Solar for All grants. The Minnesota Department of Commerce will use their $62,450,000 funding to deliver financial support and technical assistance to low-income areas and communities historically left behind in the clean energy transition across Minnesota. The Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association, in conjunction with their partners GRID Alternatives, the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, and the Native CDFI Network, will use their $62,330,000 to deploy Tribally-owned residential solar, along with storage and necessary upgrades, for the benefit of the 35 Tribes located in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. ###
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Clean Energy Projects for Minnesota Farms and Small Businesses
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced grants for 70 farms and small businesses across rural and Greater Minnesota to install clean energy technology on their farms. This round of funding for Minnesota totals nearly $8 million. This initiative is possible through the Renewable Energy for America (REAP) program, which Senator Smith championed and strengthened in the Inflation Reduction Act. “The clean energy transition is happening, and I want us to lead it,” said Senator Smith. “As we make the switch to cleaner, cheaper energy, we need to make sure everyone benefits. That’s why programs like REAP, which helps rural communities install renewable energy systems, are so important. These investments will save farms and small businesses all across the state thousands of dollars a year in energy costs while helping reduce harmful emissions.” Projects included can be found in the table below. The funding is specifically set aside for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agriculture currently accounts for roughly one-quarter of Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emissions. Senator Smith continues to prioritize improvements to REAP, promote underutilized technologies, and help more farmers access the program. Senator Smith introduced the bipartisan, bicameral REAP Modernization Act which would increase the cost share for REAP grants, raise certain grant limits, and improve the accessibility of the program to farmers and small businesses. Toplines Total Investment: $7,875,510 Total in Energy Savings (kWh/Year): 5,975,000 Total in Energy Savings ($/Year): $692,900 Farm/
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger Push to Improve Popular & Effective Rural Energy for America Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. [6/24/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA 7)—along with U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Representative David G. Valadao (R-CA 21)—introduced legislation in both the Senate and House aimed at improving the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which provides financial assistance to agricultural producers and rural business owners to install renewable energy systems and adopt energy efficiency measures. Sen. Smith and Rep. Spanberger, who each chair a subcommittee that oversees rural energy efficiency, said that in the last six years, REAP has leveraged over $300 million in public investment to stimulate more than ten
U.S. Senator Tina Smith: Now is the Time For Congress to Enact a Clean Electricity Standard
WASHINGTON, D.C. [6/17/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith—a longtime leader in pushing the nation toward a clean energy economy—said now is the time for Congress to enact a Clean Electricity Standard (CES), and today she released a new summary on how a CES would put the United States at the forefront of technology innovation, and create millions of good-paying jobs. You can access the summary here. “We can either lead or follow when it comes to the clean energy transition. I want us to lead,” said Sen. Smith. “And Minnesotans understand that clean energy is key to our economic future. A federal Clean Electricity
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Nearly $1 Million Federal Grant to Provide Free Textbooks to Teaching Students at Minnesota Colleges
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/14/2021]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said today that a nearly $1 million grant will provide free textbooks to students studying teacher education at colleges and universities across Minnesota. The $978,332 grant has been awarded to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system to support students at Southwest Minnesota State University, St. Cloud State University, Minnesota State University Mankato, Normandale Community College, Century College, and St. Cloud Technical and Community College. The grant aims to diversify the teacher workforce pipeline in Minnesota through eliminating textbook costs and lowering the cost of a teaching degree. The free textbooks will cut costs for all students, but will especially help economically disadvantaged students who may otherwise have trouble affording college and finishing their degree. “As we emerge
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Celebrates Senate Passage of Her Legislation to Commemorate Juneteenth as a Federal Holiday in Senate Floor Speech
WASHINGTON, D.C. [6/16/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) celebrated the Senate passage of legislation to commemorate Juneteenth as a federal holiday during a Senate floor speech. The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act–led by Sen. Smith and her colleagues Sens. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas)–passed the Senate unanimously yesterday afternoon. The measure now moves to the House, where it is expected to be taken up and passed soon, before being sent to the President to be signed into law. You can access video of Sen. Smith’s remarks here. “Juneteenth,” observed on June 19, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is also known as Emancipation
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