Protecting One of Minnesota’s Strongest Tools for Combating Climate Change

From more frequent extreme heat warnings to hazy skies and smoky air from rising wildfires, Minnesotans feel, smell, and see the effects of climate change. We know we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat the crisis, which is why Minnesota has a goal to reduce our state’s emissions to net-zero by 2050. It’s a bold target that requires laser-focus, innovation, and commitment across industries and state agencies to ensure progress and accountability. 

We took a monumental step forward in 2023 when Minnesota passed its premier Carbon-Free Standard, which requires all electric utilities in the state to generate or buy enough electricity from carbon-free sources to meet 100 percent of their sales by 2040. The legislation is the state’s most powerful tool to keep one of our biggest emitting sectors on track to reach our climate goals. Now it’s at risk of being permanently weakened. 

Despite the law’s unambiguous language, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission voted in 2024 to allow dirty technologies clearly excluded from the statute to count toward meeting the state’s carbon-free clean energy commitment.  Specifically, commissioners determined biomass and trash incineration - both of which emit large amounts of carbon dioxide as well as other harmful pollutants - could qualify as carbon-free energy technologies under the law as long as they emitted marginally less pollution than other “likely” means of managing biomass or solid waste.  Not only is this comparative approach inconsistent with the law’s definition of carbon-free, but it effectively locks in current emissions and prevents the steep emission cuts Minnesota needs to achieve net-zero.   

We knew that couldn’t stand. MCEA filed a lawsuit challenging the PUC’s decision in the months that followed, and the case is pending. 

The climate crisis demands our transition to a carbon-free economy, and Minnesotans want and deserve a future where we can all go outside, breathe safe air, and enjoy our beautiful state.  MCEA will keep fighting to ensure the intent of one of Minnesota’s most important tools toward achieving that future is restored.