ST. PAUL – A bill forcing Minnesota’s electric utilities to generate or acquire 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2040 has been approved in the Minnesota House.
Called the “blackout bill” by many around the State Capitol, State Representative Marj Fogelman (R-Fulda) said she fears the state’s complete elimination of reliable energy sources – such as coal – will inevitably lead to the rolling blackouts seen in California.
“If the power’s out in California for a couple of days, its different than If we have a lengthy blackout in Minnesota during a below zero stretch in February, when there will be deadly consequences,” Fogelman said.
A report from the Center of the American Experiment (CAE) estimates that the Walz/Democrat plan to move to 100 percent carbon free electricity by 2040 will cost $313 billion, or nearly $3,900 per family per year. The potential gain according to CAE: averting 0.00096 degree Celsius of warming by the year 2100.
Fogelman said the type of radical policies Minnesota House Democrats are pushing already are causing havoc elsewhere, including Germany rationing electricity as electric vehicles and heat pumps threaten the collapse of local power grids.
“This is a huge burden to everyone in this state,” Fogelman said. “Not only are House Democrats trying to eliminate reliable energy, but they are also trying to force families to spend thousands of dollars each year on a feel good measure that will have almost zero impact on our climate.”
The bill now heads to the Minnesota Senate for further debate.