Final week, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed into regulation a regular that may make the North Star State’s electrical energy 100% carbon-free by 2040. Following the Minnesota Senate’s approval on February 2 and the Home on January 26, the state now has a much-needed replace to its clear power insurance policies that advocates and different leaders have looked for a number of years. Congratulations, Minnesota!
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed into regulation a regular that may make the North Star State’s electrical energy 100% carbon-free by 2040, Picture courtesy of Workplace of Governor Tim Walz
Thanks to Consultant Jamie Lengthy, Senator Nick Frentz, and Governor Walz for his or her management in making certain Minnesota joins the rising record of states enacting 100% electrical energy requirements. Thanks to the 100% Marketing campaign for its superb work, and to Recent Vitality and quite a few different Minnesota organizations that helped form the legislative language, construct consensus, and transfer the coverage ahead.
Right here at UCS, we owe our gratitude to Meghan Hassett and Kim Scott, in addition to a number of different Local weather and Vitality Program employees members who contributed analysis, evaluation, communications help, and outreach efforts through the years. Further thanks go to UCS supporters—in January alone they despatched near 400 messages to legislators urging enactment of the brand new customary.
As we identified in our legislative testimony, daring insurance policies reminiscent of Minnesota’s new 100% carbon-free electrical energy customary should not solely achievable but in addition produce great well being and financial advantages for states. In 2022, UCS, COPAL, and our different undertaking companions printed the report On the Street to 100 P.c Renewables, together with a state-specific reality sheet outlining how Minnesota may meet its electrical energy wants utterly and equitably with renewable power by 2035, whereas dramatically decreasing fossil gasoline use in automobiles and buildings.
What’s Subsequent?
Minnesota’s legislative session runs till late Might. Constructing on the success of the 100% customary, there are various different energy- and environment-related payments prepared for dialogue and approval. Two key measures to spotlight embody laws to increase cumulative affect assessments in Minnesota and institution of a state clear power financing initiative (often known as a “inexperienced financial institution”).
Keep tuned for extra updates as Minnesota and its local weather and clear power champions transfer nearer to a more healthy, equitable power future for the state and its residents.
Initially printed by the Union of Involved Scientists, The Equation. By James Gignac
