Energy & Jobs Omnibus Bill | HF 2208

Tucked within the omnibus Jobs, Energy, and Telecommunications Finance and Policy bill, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed legislation to put the state on a path to 100% carbon-free electricity by the year 2050. The Jobs/Energy bill pushed electric utilities to use reliable and affordable clean energy like solar, wind, and energy storage as those utilities retire outdated power plants that historically relied on fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. The bill also proposed to significantly increase energy efficiency programs which have historically been the most cost-effective way to reduce emissions and save rate-payers money.

Along with the goal of making Minnesota’s electricity 100% carbon free by 2050, the bill also significantly expanded rebates for electric vehicle purchases, created a revolving loan program for electric vehicle charging stations, and created a new program called “Solar on Schools” so that public school buildings could benefit from solar generation.

The bill passed the Minnesota House of Representatives with 74 “Yes” votes and 59 “No” votes.

The bill moved into conference committee to be negotiated with the Minnesota Senate.

The Minnesota Senate did not pass a comparable Jobs, Energy, and Telecommunications Finance and Policy bill.  The energy provisions outlined above and passed by the Minnesota House of Representatives did not become law.