Through legal and legislative advocacy, MCEA works to stop new global warming pollution from entering the atmosphere and to reduce the emissions Minnesota currently contributes by advocating energy efficiency and a transition to renewable energy. 

In state agencies and the courts, MCEA has worked to fight dirty energy by:

• Defeating the proposed Big Stone II power plant in South Dakota which would have emitted an additional 5 million tons per year of carbon dioxide,
• Being the first environmental organization to oppose the Keystone XL pipeline through litigation in state and district courts,
• Opposing the New Ulm Public Utilities Commission’s proposed new coal power plant, which was recently vetoed by the Commission thanks to our work, our partner Sierra Club, and active citizen groups, and
  
• Demonstrating to state regulators that continued operation of old coal plants in Minnesota costs customers more than shutting them down.  

MCEA partners with its clients, the Izaak Walton League of America, Fresh Energy, and Sierra Club, to transition away from Minnesota’s reliance on old coal-fired power plants. Our work promotes tighter federal and state air quality controls while reducing power generation from these plants, which are a massive source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state, and in the country. Primarily, our advocacy is at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission where we are involved in a number of energy dockets. We also work for clean energy at the local level, such as the proposed New Ulm coal plant.  

MCEA and its partners have convinced state regulators to take an active role to accelerate the retirement of existing coal-fired plants. Thanks to our work, Minnesota’s older coal plants face a very uncertain future. For example, Minnesota Power was ordered by the PUC in 2010 to work with MCEA and other stakeholders to analyze the cost-benefits of retiring one or more of the utility’s old coal-fired power plants. 

Energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean fuels are what Minnesota needs instead of dirty coal. To advance the infrastructure improvements needed to expand wind power in the region and to participate in regional transmission policy, MCEA adds Wind on the Wires to its client mix.   

MCEA is currently involved in the following energy cases and advocacy: 

Minnesota Power Baseload Diversification Study 

New Ulm Coal Plant

Otter Tail Power Request for ADP

Otter Tail Power Resource Plan

Xcel Resource Plan