SAINT PAUL, MN – After the passage of the Blackout bill (HF 7) Thursday evening, Representative Jim Joy (R-Hawley) released the following statement:
“The Blackout bill is unaffordable, unreliable, and dangerous for Minnesotans. Households will see their electric bills skyrocket by $1,600. Our family budgets are already being stretched. We cannot afford to further burden Minnesotans’ pocketbooks with unreliable energy that could endanger the lives of people across our state in the coldest months of the year.”
“Instead of pushing legislation that has minimal environmental impact, it’s time we put forward true solutions, like lifting the moratorium for nuclear so we can start embracing clean energy. This is the best way to ensure Minnesotans always have access to affordable, reliable, and safe energy.”
Questions have already been raised about the constitutionality of this bill over fears of potential interstate commerce violations. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Attorney General Drew Wrigley, and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring sent a letter to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen before the House floor session warning that if this bill becomes law, they will sue Minnesota over its constitutionality.
“Our electric grid knows no state boundaries,” said Rep. Joy. “If this bill is signed into law, what does it mean for our community? So many of us buy our energy from North Dakota. But if Minnesota is requiring us to have clean energy, and North Dakota has a different standard, what will be the true cost to our area? We cannot afford to pay for higher energy bills and the countless lawsuits that will ensue.”
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