Rise Up

Minnesota stands out as a leader in the energy transition, uniquely positioned at the forefront of renewable adoption in the Midwest. Through bipartisan legislation and innovative incentive programs, the state has become a trailblazer in advancing renewable energy technologies and setting a regional example for clean energy initiatives. In this episode of the Rise Up Podcast, Nick talks to Logan O...

With so many solar products out on the market today, it can be difficult to choose which one works best for your home or business. Boasting over 20 years of solar experience in the US, Fronius has become a leader in the solar industry, providing quality products and reliable customer service. In this continuation of season 5, Nick Hylla sits down with Chris Connell, head of solutions management at...

Did you know you don't have to be a pro cyclist to keep up with the racers competing in the Tour de France? E-bikes are one of the best environmentally conscious transportation options that keep you fit while having fun. These electric bikes significantly reduce carbon emissions, decrease air and noise pollution, and use less energy and resources for production and maintenance compared to trad...

Minnesota's solar accessibility has skyrocketed since the passing of the Minnesota Solar Energy Jobs Act in 2013, creating clean energy opportunities for communities across the state. One such opportunity, community solar gardens, have exploded in the past ten years, adding up to 900 megawatts of solar arrays for community benefit. Learn more about community solar gardens in this episode of th...

Renewable energy technology has come a long way over the years. One such advancement — cold climate heat pumps — are no different and can offer homeowners an efficient and economical way to heat and cool their home while reducing carbon emissions. Learn everything you need to know about heat pumps including how they work, different configurations, available incentives, and barriers to adoption in...

Ever wondered how solar panels work? Or how the solar industry has grown over the years? Or how to ensure a quality solar installation? Get answers to all these questions and more in this episode of the Rise Up Podcast as Nick Hylla interviews Kris Schmid, founder and owner of Legacy Solar, LLC and MREA instructor. Get Connected: Rise Up Podcast: https://www.riseupmidwest.org The Energy Fair: http...

Illinois stands out as a leader in solar development across the United States. Essential to this progress are various solar training programs, notably those run by the Chicago Urban League, which play a crucial role in meeting the workforce demands necessary for the sector's advancement. In this episode of the Rise Up Podcast, Andrew Wells, Vice President of Workforce Development for the Chica...

So you want to finance a home electrification project but don't know where to start? Well, you're in luck! In this episode of the Rise Up Podcast, Nick Hylla talks to Nicole Burford, VP of Market Development and Sustainability at Clean Energy Credit Union, about what consumers should know before taking out a clean energy loan, how to determine the best financing, and the impact of where yo...

In today's world, electrifying your home and becoming more energy efficient has never been easier. With various funding opportunities and programs available, the incentives to upgrade your energy systems are too big to be ignored. Join Kevin Kane in this week's episode of the Rise Up Podcast that focuses on energy efficiency successes and challenges, available funding for homeowners, barri...

Ensuring that every home is weatherized and equipped with energy-efficient systems should not only be a possibility, but a reality for all. Community Assistance Programs (CAPs), such as West CAP, play a vital role in enabling low-income communities to access these essential upgrades, fostering fair and equitable advancements in energy conservation that benefit both finances and the environment. Jo...

For many, conducting an energy audit and installing energy efficient systems can be a financial challenge. Inclusive financing, like the Pay As You Save (PAYS) program, hopes to ease that challenge by allowing homeowners and tenants to pay a monthly charge along with their utility bill, instead of footing the bill up front or taking out a loan. Learn how this process works, including the benefits...

Becoming more energy efficient not only cuts costs but also helps preserve our planet. Whether it's transitioning to electric, conducting energy audits, or enhancing energy systems, committing to energy efficiency today promises future savings and fosters a healthier environment for everyone. Discover ways to enhance energy efficiency, with a special focus on agricultural and rural enterprises...

Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director & Rise Up Podcast host, led Rise Up Live Events and a live panel during The Energy Fair! Participants had the opportunity to hear from the guests of Season 4 throughout the weekend, followed by a Q&A session on Sunday. On Friday, June 23rd, in the Special Events Tent, attendees enjoyed insightful presentations: Al Gedicks discussed Sulfide Mining in the...

Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director & Rise Up Podcast host, led Rise Up Live Events and a live panel during The Energy Fair! Participants had the opportunity to hear from the guests of Season 4 throughout the weekend, followed by a Q&A session on Sunday. On Friday, June 23rd, in the Special Events Tent, attendees enjoyed insightful presentations: Al Gedicks discussed Sulfide Mining in the...

n a time when corporate spending is protected as free speech, each of us must wonder how our voices will be heard. Utility companies have deep pockets, and their lobbyists are a fixture at state capitol buildings. Big businesses have big energy budgets and their associations are adept at making their issues a priority. And both of these industry sectors work together to create advocacy groups to a...

The first and largest US financial maneuver in response to COVID-19 was an unprecedented bailout of Wall Street investors to head off an impending stock market crash.  Building upon the “Modern Monetary Theory” implemented to bail out the banking sector after the mortgage default crisis in 2008, the Federal Reserve committed up to $10 trillion in support for investors. As a result, the stock marke...

The topic of workforce development is near and dear to our hearts at MREA. We started providing training in solar PV, solar thermal, small wind energy, and energy efficiency in 1990. We were one of the first accredited solar training programs in the country and still maintain accreditation with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council to this day. For over thirty years we’ve committed ourselves to...

Since 2018, the United States has expanded its list of critical minerals from 35 to 50 as supply chains have become increasingly concentrated to fewer countries and the needs for minerals in industrial and consumer products have increased. Beginning in 2022, the Biden Administration began making serious federal policy moves to secure critical mineral supply chains by invoking the Defense Productio...

Eleven US states plus the District of Columbia have passed laws committing to 100% carbon-free or 100% clean energy. The path to 100% is full of choices that influence the cost to electricity ratepayers, ownership of critical infrastructure, and access to the financial and social benefits of energy infrastructure investment. A few detailed national studies have forecast scenarios to achieve 100% c...

Today, nuclear energy remains the largest low carbon source of electricity in the world. Yet looking closer at the trend reveals that it is a rapidly decreasing share of the global portfolio as plants are retired and wind and solar consistently lead new energy capacity additions. The US fleet is the largest of any nation, with 94 reactors in 28 states but is gradually shrinking as aging reactors a...

Get ready to harness the power of renewable energy as Season 4 Episode 5 of MREA's Rise Up podcast takes you on a journey through the world of large-scale wind, solar, and transmission projects in the Midwest. Join our host Nick Hylla, as he sits down with esteemed guest Peder Mewis, a driving force behind rural renewable energy development in the Midwest and Plains states. In this episode, we...

Rev up your knowledge on electric vehicles with Clean Fuels Michigan's Jane McCurry, on MREA's Rise Up Podcast. As compelling as electric vehicles are, electrifying transportation presents significant policy and market development challenges. EVs represent just over 5% of passenger vehicles on US roads. This is an amazing accomplishment for the industry over the past 5 years but increasing...

75% of all electricity consumption occurs in buildings. With a goal to fully electrify our building energy use, more buildings will be moving their heating, cooking, and operations systems from natural gas, propane, diesel, and fuel oil to grid electricity. Pair this with home and business electric vehicle charging and the obvious result is that the amount of electricity use in buildings is set to...

The plan is to electrify the economy. Reduce the combustion of fossil fuels for heating and transportation by replacing it with electricity from a grid powered by low-carbon sources like solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear. These are the basics of the energy transition but, there are two competing visions for how we accomplish it. The first vision is to extend the current utility business model to bui...

When it comes to transitioning the electricity system, we are constrained by public policy choices and investment decisions made over the last 100 years. The past decisions have given us the infrastructure, ownership structure, regulatory process, and debts that define how we produce and use electricity. Today, we are poised to further electrify our energy use which will layer investments onto a s...