ST. PAUL, MN – Just before midnight on Thursday, Senate Democrats passed their Clean Energy bill that puts Minnesota on the path to zero emissions by 2040. Senate Republicans raised many concerns during the debate, calling it a Blackout Bill that will put affordable and reliable energy out of reach for too many.
“We all want to do our part for clean energy,” Sen. Rob Farnsworth (R- Hibbing) said. “This bill has serious risks, especially to our rural residents and businesses who rely on municipal energy resources. I’m very concerned the goals of clean energy will outweigh the costs,” he concluded.
New energy technologies offer a great opportunity for Minnesota to lead in material and resource mining and processing. An amendment was offered to prioritize mined components of new energy technology used in Minnesota must be mined in Minnesota.
“Mining in Minnesota could lead the world in safe, moral mining. I supported the amendment because we need to move away from the immoral labor practices of other countries and ensure tomorrow’s technology is built on fair and safe labor practices. I’m very disappointed every Democrat voted against this amendment to prevent it from going on the bill,” Farnsworth said.
Watch Sen. Farnsworth’s Floor Comments
Senate Republicans earlier in the day proposed their A+ Energy Plan and offered many amendments to put the plan in place during the floor debate. The A+ Energy Plan would:
- Allow nuclear construction in the state
- Affordable renewable natural gas to continue to reduce emissions
- Always On natural gas and coal for reliability and affordability
- Authorize hydroelectric power to count as a renewable energy
- All-of-the-Above strategy to mix solar, wind, hydroelectric, hydrogen, and biomass with our current energy sources
Democrats voted against the A+ Energy Plan on a party line vote.
The Clean Energy bill, unchanged despite dozens of amendments offered, was passed along party lines as well. It heads to Governor Walz’s desk, where it is expected to be signed.