Advancing transportation electrification in Minnesota

The transportation sector has now passed electricity generation as a 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 would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all new vehicles sold in Minnesota and increase the availability of zero-emission electric vehicles in the state. It would prevent the Trump Administration’s proposed fuel efficiency standard rollbacks from hurting Minnesota, improve public health, and save customers money at the pump. We are working to ensure that this important rule is enacted in Minnesota, and that the rule is designed in a way that generates benefits across the state. 

We are also pushing back against industry attacks on beneficial electrification. Xcel Energy has several electric vehicle programs available to increase the ability of its customers to access affordable overnight charging. However, some of the utility’s large industrial customers—including Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend, LLC, Marathon Petroleum Company LP, and USG Interiors, Inc.—are challenging the approval of these programs in court. MCEA is participating in these proceedings to support the ability of electric utilities to offer innovative electric vehicle programs in Minnesota.