On April 17, members of the clean energy community and climate advocates will hold a press conference at the Minnesota State Capitol to urge lawmakers to reject significant rollbacks to renewable energy progress included in the current Senate Energy Omnibus Bill. This press conference aims to spotlight critical threats to solar energy, net metering, and environmental protections while highlighting corporate carve-outs, such as those that benefit Amazon data centers, which jeopardize Minnesota’s carbon-free goals.
The proposed Energy Omnibus Bill threatens to undermine the state’s landmark policies established in 2023 aimed at achieving a carbon-free energy future by 2040. Key provisions of the bill include:
- Misclassification of Polluting Energy Sources: The bill proposes to misclassify sources like B100 biodiesel and woody biomass as “carbon-free,” undermining the integrity of the 100% carbon-free law.
- Repeal of Community Solar Garden Program: Minnesota’s successful Community Solar Garden program, which has provided equitable access to solar energy, is set to be repealed.
- Weakening of Net Metering: Changes to net metering could adversely affect solar producers in rural and small-town Minnesota, threatening fair compensation that has been in place since 1983 and jeopardizing clean energy jobs.
- Elimination of the Renewable Development Account: This vital funding source for clean energy innovation, including the Solar*Rewards program that assists low-income homeowners in going solar, is at risk.
- Exemptions for Large Data Centers: The bill would exempt large data centers, such as those operated by Amazon, from key environmental reviews, including oversight of backup diesel generators.
- Removal of Hydro Project Size Restrictions: This change could violate agreements with Indigenous communities aimed at protecting land, rivers, and ecosystems.
Advocates are calling for lawmakers to reject these harmful provisions that threaten Minnesota’s climate and clean energy progress. The press conference will feature a diverse range of speakers, including environmental leaders, solar customers, rural energy advocates, and other stakeholders who are pushing back against these rollbacks.
Minnesota has made significant strides towards a sustainable energy future, and these proposed changes could reverse years of progress. According to a report by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the state has the potential to generate over 10 GW of solar energy by 2030, which could create thousands of jobs and contribute significantly to the state’s economy.
The rally, scheduled for 11 a.m. CT in the State Capitol Press Room B971, serves as a crucial opportunity for advocates to make their voices heard. As lawmakers consider the implications of the Energy Omnibus Bill, the clean energy community is determined to protect Minnesota’s progress toward a sustainable, carbon-free future.
