For Beth Soholt, July 25th marked the culmination of three years of hard work. Soholt is the Executive Director of Clean Grid Alliance (CGA), an advocacy organization that works for the advancement of renewable energy in the Midwest. Along with Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) the CGA has helped with the approval of eighteen new high-voltage transmission lines in the Upper Midwest.
The $10.3 billion project will be in use by 2028 at the earliest and will enable renewable energies (like wind and solar) to interconnect with the grid. "It will also mean a more robust and resilient grid for the Midwest," says Soholt. With severe weather events increasing, one goal is to ensure the reliability of the grid. The proposed package will also allow providers to supply cost-effect energy to their customers.
This is a big step forward for lower-carbon energy, but some of Minnesota's carbon emission goals are still falling a short. "Our utilities are doing a great job," says Soholt. "But we get a lot of carbon emissions from the transportation sector and the agricultural sector that are a little bit harder - and a longer time frame - that we have to work on."