EFI Foundation (EFIF) hosted a public webinar on May 28, 2025, composed of two impactful sessions that spotlighted Minnesota’s response to projected load growth and offered a roadmap for other states to ensure reliable, clean, affordable energy and good jobs in a time of rapid transition.
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The webinar began with a fireside chat between EFIF Founder and CEO, Ernest Moniz and Xcel Energy President – North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota President, Ryan Long. This was followed by a panel discussion between labor, government, and utilities stakeholders from Minnesota who offered varied perspectives on the state’s energy transition.
Ryan Long of Xcel Energy remained confident in the state’s ability to meet lofty carbon reduction goals and believes that Xcel Energy can maintain customer satisfaction and meet load growth. Long stated, “All options are on the table as we think about what is going to be the technology that takes us fully carbon-free, and nuclear is a piece of that puzzle for sure.”
During the panel discussion, moderated by Dave Foster, distinguished associate at EFIF, speakers shared important considerations from all angles of the energy transition.
Key Moments
“We’re thinking about where the state has a role in creating incentives and policies that are going to push those technology deployments as it’s really important to make sure that we’re bringing clean, firm resources onto the system.” – Sydnie Lieb, Assistant Commissioner, MN Department of Commerce
“In the last few years, MFU produced a farmer’s guide to wind and solar and solar, on their own farms, because we know that’s an enterprise opportunity. We did that in partnership with the Farmers Legal Action Group and are hoping to update it as we move forward.” – Anne Schwagerl, Vice President, MN Farmers Union
“Admittedly, it’s not going to be easy, but it’s necessary for us to innovate with capable partners and meet the future economic needs of our region. There’s the opportunity as well, to show that a distribution system can be part of that load growth” – Ryan Hentges, CEO, Dakota Electric
Speakers:
Fireside Chat
- Ernest J. Moniz, Founder and CEO, EFI Foundation
- Ryan Long, President, Xcel Energy – Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota
Panel Discussion
- Margaret Cherne-Hendrick, CEO Fresh Energy
- Joe Fowler, Business Manager, LiUNA LU #563
- Ryan Hentges, CEO, Dakota Electric
- Sydnie Lieb, Assistant Commissioner, MN Department of Commerce
- Anne Schwagerl, Vice President, MN Farmers Union
- Moderated by: David Foster, EFIF Distinguished Associate
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