SAINT PAUL, Minn. - On Tuesday, February 28, the House Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee heard legislation authored by Rep. Alicia Kozlowski (DFL- Duluth) to authorize the Department of Commerce to assist any Tribal advocacy council on energy established by the 11 federally recognized Indian Tribes in Minnesota.
“This legislation is led by the eleven Tribal Governments sharing geography with Minnesota who has identified a critical need to be energy independent, provide alternative options for tribal members, reduce the energy burden of tribal members, create a clean and energy-efficient future for the generations to come,” said Rep. Kozlowski. “Energy efficiency makes housing more resistant to extreme temperatures and can be done in ways consistent with tribal practices and cultures. The creation of TACE will allow tribal governments to lead in coordination with the Minnesota Department of Commerce to identify and prioritize energy issues and determine the appropriate action, be better positioned to develop statewide policies and/or legislation relating to energy issues on tribal lands.”
Minnesota winters are sporadic and can lead to severe outcomes for tribal communities that do not have adequate energy to keep their homes warm. Many tribal homes lack access to electricity and affordable heating sources. Some reservations with vast energy potential are home to some of the poorest tribal communities in America.
House File 1918 was laid over in the Climate and Energy Finance and Policy to be considered for inclusion in an omnibus bill. You can watch the presentation and testimony of the bill here.