SAINT PAUL, MN — Today, the Minnesota House is expected to approve a new jobs and energy budget (HF 2208). Rep. Patty Acomb (DFL – Minnetonka) is the chief author of several bills that were included in the budget legislation.
“Minnesotans want a secure and prosperous future for their children and the many generations to come,” said Rep. Acomb. “We have the ability to lead the nation in the fight against climate change and build a thriving clean energy economy. That makes sense for our environment and for our economy.”
A cornerstone of the legislation is establishing a pathway to adopt 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2050. This transition would reduce Minnesota’s dependence on fossil fuels and encourage the use of clean energy alternatives. The budget ensures that electricity is reliable and affordable during and after the transition. New opportunities for utility consumers to conserve energy and save money by switching to cleaner electricity sources are also included.
Establishing a new Solar on Schools program is also a key piece of the energy budget. This legislation, authored by Rep. Acomb, provides grants for installing solar energy systems on school buildings. Solar energy would save school districts money and provide valuable learning opportunities for students and community members. Similar initiatives to help the University of Minnesota and state colleges transition to clean energy were also introduced by Rep. Acomb and included in the budget legislation.