ST. PAUL, Minn. – April 1, 2010 – Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the Jobs bill – which includes provisions for Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). PACE enables local governments to create voluntary programs that will allow property owners to finance solar, other renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle plug-in improvements to their homes or businesses through voluntary property assessments.

"We’ve made huge progress in this legislative session including passing PACE and other provisions in the Jobs bill, which should help attract more manufacturing to our state," said Lynn Hinkle, of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industry Association. " With PACE, Minnesota counties and cities have a set of powerful tools to create energy improvement districts for both commercial and residential properties, and many cities and counties have already expressed interest in implementing PACE financing to help create good local jobs, secure and clean energy," said Hinkle.

Minnesota Solar Energy Industry Association, Environment Minnesota, AFL-CIO, and a coalition of other organizations contributed to strong clean energy provisions in this new law. Sixteen states have passed similar PACE-enabling legislation, but few have done it with such a strong coalition as in Minnesota. The measure was quickly adopted with overwhelming support in the Minnesota House and Senate earlier this week, proof that lawmakers across the political spectrum understand the environmental and economic benefits of policies that help move our state toward greater energy independence. Under the new law, Minnesota has the potential to significantly increase solar and other types of renewable energy in buildings across our state.

"Minnesota property owners can be part of the solution by tapping into the renewable energy resources that our state is blessed with," said Ken Bradley, director of Environment Minnesota. "PACE allows building owners to make investments by using energy savings and pay those investments back through voluntary property assessments," said Bradley.

The Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA) represents and serves Minnesota energy professionals and solar energy users. MnSEIA is a membership association comprised primarily of organizations involved in photovoltaic and solar thermal energy. MnSEIA promotes the use of solar energy that best serves the public interest and conservation to improve the environment for a sustainable future. Local governments interested in implementing the new voluntary PACE financing tool can contact Lynn Hinkle at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , call 612-310-4742, or go to www.MnSEIA.org.