Saint Paul, Minn. – Today the Minnesota House of Representatives passed transformative legislation that will tackle the climate crisis and create good jobs. House File 7 establishes new clean energy goals for the state and puts Minnesota on a path to produce 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. Representative Matt Norris (DFL - Blaine) voted for the bill and released the following statement:
“The negative effects of climate change are being felt across the world and it’s time that we take decisive action to put us on the right path,” said. Rep. Matt Norris. “Not only will this reduce our carbon emissions, but it will create jobs, boost our local economies and make Minnesota a clean energy leader. The inclusion of cost and reliability offramps will ensure that we can pursue a carbon free future without hurting Minnesotans. This is a smart and necessary bill which has been well crafted to get us where we need to be in the best way possible.”
In 2007, a DFL House, DFL Senate, and a Republican Governor enacted the Next Generation Energy Act, which sought to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% from 2005 levels by 2050. According to a 2021 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) report, the state is not on track to meet its clean energy goals, with emissions declining just eight percent from 2005 levels. Twenty-one other states have already established a 100% clean-energy standard or goal.
The same bill is advancing in the Minnesota Senate, where it passed the Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate Committee on Jan. 25. Gov. Walz included the same policy in his budget proposal for fiscal years 2024-2025, and has included the policy in past budget proposals. According to the University of Minnesota, the state of Minnesota is one of the fastest-warming states in the nation.
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