Let’s keep advancing Minnesota’s clean-energy economy

What could the creation of beauty products derived from botanical ingredients have to do with climate change? As it turns out, some of those ingredients are sourced from regions around the world where climate change is taking its toll. In recent months, extreme rainfall in parts of Brazil has caused flooding that destroyed several villages of the Yawanawa indigenous people whom Aveda has worked with for many years, while a devastating drought threatens communities where we source ingredients in another part of that country. And we are still waiting to know the impact on the supply of a nut oil we source from Vanuatu after that Pacific Island country was hit by Cyclone Pam, one of the most powerful storms on record in that region.

Driven by our mission “to care for the world we live in,” Aveda has long supported renewable energy through the purchase of renewable energy credits and other carbon offsets, as we strive to reduce our energy consumption and carbon footprint. That’s why we support expanding the state’s renewable energy standard (RES) to 40 percent renewables by 2030.

Business support for action on climate change

We’re not alone in our commitment to low-carbon energy, as markets make it clear that renewable energy is a smart investment. That’s why, increasingly, clean energy has entered the mainstream, becoming an essential capital investment for many corporations. A recent study found that a majority of Fortune 100 companies have adopted renewable power and/or greenhouse gas goals. In addition, 18 companies in Minnesota — including Aveda, which was one of the earliest signers — and more than 1,300 companies worldwide have publicly expressed their support for action on climate change through the Ceres Climate Declaration. Businesses recognize that “tackling climate change is one of the greatest economic opportunities of the 21^st century.”

Here in Minnesota, we’re already witnessing increased frequency of severe storms, dangerously low temperatures and snow and ice storms that are adversely impacting our supply chain and our employees. From lost workdays to insurance premium increases, we are already feeling climate change’s impact on our business’ bottom line.

The good news is that Minnesota is a clean energy leader. Our state’s RES is one of the strongest in the country — 25 percent of electricity must be renewable by 2025 — and we’re already close to achieving our goal, 10 years early. Here in the North Star State, we’ve seen firsthand that effective energy policy can and does lead to reduced dependence on energy imports; creation of thousands of new, high-paying jobs; billions of dollars in capital investment and the benefits that stem from plummeting prices for solar and wind power. It’s no wonder a 2014 poll found that 67 percent of Minnesotans support a switch from fossil fuels to clean energy.

An achievable goal

An extension of that successful policy to 40 percent renewables by 2030 is an achievable goal that will provide increased certainty to Minnesota businesses making long-term energy decisions. While the Legislature missed the opportunity to extend the RES this year, there is no reason why it shouldn’t pass in the next session.

A 40 percent RES is a smart proposal to expand clean energy in Minnesota — creating jobs, increasing investments, and helping to create a more climate resilient grid. In 2014, there were more than 15,000 clean energy jobs in Minnesota and more than $5.6 billion in capital investment. A recent study by the state’s Department of Commerce finds that a 40 percent renewable energy standard is achievable and will not result in electrical grid reliability issues.

As a business, we are always planning for the future, and these standards give us the clarity we need. For example, we’ve found that employing energy-efficiency measures throughout our operations are helping us to save money while continuing to expand our business. The RES extension would help expand those opportunities; not just for us, but for many other businesses and homeowners as well, providing an important incentive for continued clean energy innovation and investment in Minnesota.

Keep leading

It is imperative that state lawmakers continue taking the lead by embracing the 21st century, low-carbon energy economy. By adopting smart, farsighted energy policies for Minnesota, like the 40 percent renewable energy standard, our legislators can create policy certainty for companies like ours that are already working to achieve their own clean energy goals. These clean energy commitments and policies will, in turn, continue to attract corporate leaders and private capital to the North Star State. And that’s good for all of us Minnesotans.

In short: The 40 percent renewable energy standard is the right solution for business, human health and the environment.

Dave Rapaport is the vice president of Earth and Community Care at Aveda, based in Blaine. Aveda is a member of the BICEP (Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy) Coalition.

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If you’re interested in joining the discussion, add your voice to the Comment section below — or consider writing a letter or a longer-form Community Voices commentary. (For more information about Community Voices, email Susan Albright at salbright@minnpost.com.)