This Earth Day, climate progress is on the line.  
Please donate today. 

Dear John, 

You probably heard the news last week, but in case you missed it, my name is Dr. Margaret Cherne-Hendrick, and I was selected by Fresh Energy’s Board of Directors to serve as Fresh Energy’s next Chief Executive Officer.  

I have been on staff at Fresh Energy since 2018 and during that time, I have built, led, and expanded the organization’s work and impact to decarbonize multiple sectors of the economy including buildings and transportation, and more recently, agriculture and heavy industry. I’m honored to have been selected as Fresh Energy’s next leader, especially at this critical moment for climate action.  

Like you, we’re concerned about setbacks in climate progress at the federal level. Many of you have reached out to our team, wondering what these changes mean for the clean energy future we’ve been building in Minnesota. Today, I want to reassure you: Fresh Energy will lead in the face of climate challenges, continuing our crucial work where it can have the greatest impact right now — at the state level. 

John, climate progress is on the line and your support is crucial to moving forward on Minnesota’s clean energy goals. Will you join us with a donation to Fresh Energy in celebration of Earth Day? 

Recently, we helped secure a major state-level victory when the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved Xcel Energy’s long-range electricity plan. When Xcel initially proposed building 2,244 megawatts (MW) of new natural gas plants, we knew there had to be a better path forward.  

Thanks to our comprehensive technical analysis, we were able to make the case that renewable energy could reliably and cost-effectively meet our state’s needs instead. As a result, Xcel’s approved plan will add 3,300 MW of new wind, 1,550 MW of new solar, and 1,230 MW of battery storage, as well as launch the utility’s first virtual power plant program by 2030. This plan represents a transformative shift from fossil fuels to clean energy, directly resulting from Fresh Energy’s ambitious advocacy. 

Your support will power critical accomplishments like these and ensure Fresh Energy can continue creating and advancing bold decarbonization policies at the Minnesota Legislature and implementing meaningful climate transition work at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. 

A gift to Fresh Energy will help: 

And so much more. Fresh Energy is leading where it matters most — at the state level — and ensuring Minnesota sets and meets rapid decarbonization targets. Your support is essential to protecting climate progress and powering Minnesota’s clean energy future. Please donate today. 

Thank you for supporting Fresh Energy’s work. I am grateful for your partnership in this new chapter for Fresh Energy and I look forward to connecting with you in the coming months.  

Sincerely, 

Dr. Margaret Cherne-Hendrick
Chief Executive Officer

P.S. Fresh Energy is hosting a variety of events and webinars in the coming months, and we’d love for you to join us! Visit fresh-energy.org/events to learn more and register. 

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