Happening

Most people don’t have the time or patience to attend hours of hearings at the Minnesota Capitol but still want to be informed about their top conservation issues. This year we increased our policy team capacity, and that resulted in some headline news!

This year’s regular legislative session has ended, and a special session will be required. Before adjourning, the state Legislature did pass significant legislation that will help drive Minnesota toward a clean energy future. The ECO Act was passed by both the House and Senate and is now expected to be signed into law by Governor Walz.

The Energy Conservation & Optimization Act (ECO) is a nation-leading policy in the energy efficiency sector. During the final days of the legislative session, both the Minnesota House and Senate passed the ECO Act and the governor is expected to sign the bill in the coming days.

Today, the Administrate Law Judge ruled the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) Clean Cars Minnesota proposal meets the requirements of our state’s rulemaking process.

A real-world example of Minnesota’s energy future is taking shape north of the Twin Cities in Becker, Minnesota. 

Conservation Minnesota supports some parts of the omnibus bill and does not support others. Read about the details and our recommendations in our letter to the Minnesota Senate.

Conservation Minnesota and members like you have now spent a full year advocating for important conservation issues without setting foot in the Capitol. This legislative session we’re tackling ambitious priorities to ensure all Minnesotans have clean air and water and access to safe and enjoyable lands. Read about some of our priorities.

Our field staff worked with select cities to secure their support for Clean Cars Minnesota, a set of vehicle emission standards designed to help clean up our air and bring more electric vehicles to Minnesota.

Throughout our state, people feel a collective responsibility to ensure every community has clean drinking water, clean air, and safe access to the outdoor spaces and nature experiences that make life here unique. But we have not yet lived up to that responsibility.

Last month Xcel Energy announced they’d become one of the first energy providers in the United States to bring 10,000 megawatts of wind energy capacity online. With ever increasing severe winter storms and unpredictable summers, the addition of this renewable energy to the grid is welcome news.