Advancing transportation electrification in Minnesota

The transportation sector has now passed electricity generation as the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota. And although transportation-related emissions have decreased slightly since 2005, they are not decreasing fast enough to meet Minnesota’s climate goals. Business as usual will be insufficient to address the climate crisis: increased vehicle efficiency and electric vehicle use are essential to reducing emissions and protecting public health. 

MCEA is working to advance vehicle electrification in Minnesota in a few areas. First, we are supporting the Pollution Control Agency’s efforts to adopt Clean Cars Minnesota. This rule will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all new vehicles sold in Minnesota and increase the availability of zero-emission electric vehicles in the state. It will also ensure that Minnesotans have access to the same models of electric vehicles that residents of other states do. In May 2021, an Administrative Law Judge recommended adoption of the Clean Cars rule. MCEA will continue to defend this critical rule against legal challenges from opponents.

We are also supporting beneficial electrification and pushing back against industry attacks on EVs. Minnesota's electric utilities are creating innovative programs to increase access to electric vehicles and to encourage their customers to charge those vehicles when it's most beneficial for the grid. Along with our partners, MCEA reviews, recommends changes to, and often supports the adoption of these programs. We also defend these programs: Some large industrial customers--including Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend, LLC, Marathon Petroleum Company LP, and USG Interiors, Inc.—have challenged the approval of these programs in court. MCEA submitted a brief supporting the utility and the PUC in this case, and the appeal was rejected. We will continue to look out for industry attacks on EVs and support electrification in Minnesota. 

Finally, we monitor the Minnesota State Legislature for bills related to vehicle electrification. We support bills that would increase vehicle electrification, and oppose bills that seek to hinder progress. For example, this session we submitted testimony against a bill that sought to increase Minnesota's electric vehicle surcharge to be among the highest in the nation, and that would unfairly penalize EV drivers.