SF 2526

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 05/15/2021 08:16am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; requiring a plan for an equitable, sustainable, and 100 percent
renewable energy future that brings Minnesota's economy to net-zero greenhouse
gas emissions; developing the plan through a stakeholder process; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216C.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [216C.185] PLANNING STRATEGY FOR EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE
ENERGY FUTURE BY 2040.
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new text begin (a) The Department of Commerce Division of Energy Resources, in consultation with
other state agencies and the Legislative Energy Commission, must develop a detailed plan
to equitably transition the state of Minnesota to an economy fueled entirely by renewable
energy that ends Minnesota's net greenhouse gas emissions with the urgency needed to
address the climate crisis. The plan must be designed to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas
emissions:
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new text begin (1) using only renewable energy;
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new text begin (2) in a manner that addresses energy and pollution burdens in communities located in
environmental justice areas of concern; and
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new text begin (3) on a timeline that enables Minnesota to be the first state in the nation to achieve these
goals, but no later than 2040.
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new text begin (b) In developing the plan for this economy-wide energy transition, the Division of
Energy Resources must consult with stakeholders as design and development partners to
identify (1) specific actions to take, and (2) a specific timeline to take the actions, in order
to make Minnesota net-zero in greenhouse gas emissions using only renewable energy
resources to support the entire Minnesota economy. Stakeholders consulted must include
but are not limited to:
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new text begin (1) representatives from frontline communities, displaced workers, and neighborhoods
in environmental justice areas of concern;
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new text begin (2) representatives from cooperative, municipal, and investor-owned utilities;
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new text begin (3) natural resources and environmental advocacy groups;
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new text begin (4) representatives from labor, industry, and farming; and
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new text begin (5) technical and scientific experts.
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new text begin (c) The Division of Energy Resources and the stakeholders must consider the following
when creating the plan:
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new text begin (1) the economic and resulting environmental costs of continued reliance on fossil fuels
and greenhouse gas emissions;
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new text begin (2) the creation of jobs and industries in Minnesota that result from transitioning to a
net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy faster than other states;
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new text begin (3) the appropriate energy efficiency and renewable energy investments needed in
Minnesota to end the economic losses to the Minnesota economy resulting from importation
of fossil fuels;
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new text begin (4) the new technologies for energy efficiency, storage, transmission, and renewable
generation needed to reliably meet the demand for energy; and
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new text begin (5) changes in agriculture that sequester carbon in the soil, and the environmental benefits
to ecosystems, water quality, and public health stemming from the agricultural changes.
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new text begin (d) The plan must consider and, to the extent feasible, take advantage of all known
technologies to facilitate net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and end fossil fuel use in power
generation, heating and cooling, industry, agriculture, and transportation.
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new text begin (e) The plan must, to the maximum extent feasible, (1) recognize the importance of
inclusive community-driven processes in determining any actions and investments to achieve
the goal, and (2) facilitate a sufficient flow of resources to ensure that the most impacted
communities are supported as full partners in designing, developing, and delivering actions
and investments.
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new text begin (f) The Division of Energy Resources must deliver the plan to the legislative committees
and divisions with jurisdiction over energy policy by January 15, 2023, and must report
annually thereafter on progress, technological advancements, and changing conditions that
may enable or necessitate acceleration toward attaining the net-zero economy.
new text end