The Energy Conservation & Optimization Act (ECO) builds on Minnesota’s successful energy efficiency programs by supporting a greater range of technologies. It provides more choices for electric utilities to work with their consumers to reduce energy waste and meet efficiency goals. The bill reduces emissions by conserving energy usage, resulting in less energy production. It also creates jobs in the clean energy industry and helps Minnesotans save money on their electric bills.
The ECO Act is part of Governor Walz’s package to put Minnesota on a path to 100% clean energy by 2040. Conservation Minnesota and our partners have spent several years working to pass this legislation. It is a major step forward and the first of several bipartisan, clean energy opportunities that the legislature should act on this year.
During the final days of the legislative session, both the House and Senate passed the ECO Act and the governor is expected to sign the bill in the coming days.
“In a time of party line politics, the ECO Act shows us that bipartisanship, compromise, and coalition building can deliver major policy victories,” said Paul Austin, Executive Director of Conservation Minnesota. “With the only divided legislature in the nation, Minnesota just demonstrated to other states and the federal government how to create innovative public policy to make progress on clean energy. But this should be just the beginning of collective achievement.”
The ECO Act is a nation-leading policy in the energy efficiency sector. It will reduce energy consumption and incentivize the use of our most efficient sources of energy. The bill was supported by all electrical utilities in the state. It will save customers money while helping utilities reach their carbon reduction goals.