While the federal government is cutting back on clean energy research and support programs, Minnesota is one of the states leading the charge to reduce greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

A good percentage of that effort isn’t coming from the state Capitol, but rather in the private sector.

The momentum to increase clean and renewable energy can be felt right here in southwest Minnesota. Some of the proof can be seen on the prairie landscape that displays numerous wind turbines that are currently producing lots of energy.

The increasing interest in clean energy was also demonstrated in Marshall last week when the Minnesota Department of Transportation hosted a workshop for residents to voice their thoughts on clean energy. Organizers of the workshop were expecting 11 people to show up. However, the meeting room at Marshall Municipal Utilities was almost full for the workshop, according to the Independent article.

Representatives from the Great Plains Institute, who facilitated the meeting, said the turnout showed “a lot of momentum” in the area of clean energy.

The city of Marshall showed its interest with Mayor Bob Byrnes and three council members attending. MMU General Manager Brad Roos reported at the workshop that 43 percent of Marshall’s energy comes form renewable resources.

“I’m happy to announced that beginning Jan. 1, 2020, we’re going to make available to our customers an opportunity to take that 43 percent and take it as high as they want through a voluntary program called Bright Energy Choice where people can buy renewables, buy credit and that complements another program called Bright Energy Solutions where we incentivize our customers to do energy-savings things,” Roos said.

And that’s good to hear because renewable energy growth will mostly come from voluntary efforts from individuals, businesses and providers. Getting the federal government to force change on how energy is produced leads to political squabbles, but not much progress.

Energy users and energy producers will lead the fight to reduce greenhouses gas emissions and in turn produce more jobs.