Path to a Clean Energy Future
Ensuring Progress on Minnesota’s Path to a Clean Energy Future
Alternatives to coal
The Next Generation Act of 2007 established climate protection goals for Minnesota to achieve an 80 percent reduction in global warming pollution by 2050. The Act also set new goals for increased energy efficiency savings, established a nation-leading renewable energy standard, and prohibited the construction of new fossil fuel-burning power plants after August 2009 if regulations to control global warming pollution are not in effect by that date.
In response to the Act’s requirements, Minnesota energy utilities have stepped up their investments in clean energy technologies. However, these achievements can be easily erased if new coal-burning power plants are built. These plants will result in a dramatic increase in coal use, further harming our air quality and eclipsing investments in advanced and renewable power generation. As part of defending Minnesota’s environmental policy foundation, MEP and our member groups will oppose attempts to repeal this prohibition on new coal-burning power plants.
For more information, contact Bill Grant of the Izaak Walton League of America – Midwest Office at 651.649.1446 or billgrant@iwla.org
In late February 2010, a bill was introduced to repeal the prohibition on the importation of electric energy from coal-burning power plants in other states.
Information and status of the House bill: House File Number 3158
Information and status of the Senate bill: Senate File Number 2868
Download and print a fact sheet about Minnesota's moratorium on new coal power.
MAINTAIN NUCLEAR MORATORIUM
Minnesota's progress on the path towards a clean and renewable energy future will also be in danger if we allow more nuclear power plants to be built in our state. Recently there has been an effort to repeal a long-standing state law that prohibits new nuclear power plants. But there are many concerns about new nuclear power plants in Minnesota including the huge building costs that will be passed on to ratepayers; the large amount of water from our lakes, rivers and streams required to operate the plants; and the prospect of increased amounts of radioactive waste pilling up at facilities in Minnesota, with the federal government hitting a dead end with its plans for long-term nuclear waste storage.
More nuclear energy is not a sensible or cost-effective solution to increasing our energy independence. Until solutions can be found to answer the concerns about new nuclear power plants, Minnesota should focus its efforts on increasing energy efficiency and developing more clean renewable energy resources.
MEP and our member groups will oppose attempts to repeal the existing state law that prohibits construction of new nuclear power plants in Minnesota. We must not let a misguided push for new nuclear plants derail our progress on installation of renewable energy such as wind and solar.
For more information, contact Dan Endreson of Clean Water Action at 612.382.4729 or dendreson@cleanwater.org
During the 2009 legislative session, a bill was introduced to repeal the prohibition on the construction of new nuclear power plants.
Information and status of the House bill: House File Number 33
Information and status of the Senate bill: Senate File Number 355
Download and print additional fact sheets for more information:
To read more about all of MEP’s priority issues for the 2010 legislative session, click here to download a PDF of the 2010 MEP Legislative Priorities Briefing Packet.
