With a party-line vote, the Minnesota House voted for the state to generate electricity from 100 percent carbon-free sources by 2040. Majority Leader Jamie Long said climate change needs to be addressed. “We also know that it’s having more serious impacts like the severe rain events that we are seeing with increasing frequency on our farms, in our communities and infrastructure.” Representative Chris Swedzinski is the ranking member on the House Climate and Energy Committee and is opposed to this legislation. “Will electricity be cheaper in the future because of this bill? Absolutely not. Will be more available when it comes to reliability? Absolutely not,” said Swedzinski. “That is because the technology doesn’t exist.” There was a motion to allow rural electric cooperatives to modify or opt out of this directive, but that was voted down. The Senate is expected to pass the bill in the week ahead and send it on to the governor’s desk.
News Categories
Latest RRFN Podcasts
Subscribe to RRFN
Get a weekly digest from RRFN to stay up-to-date on all the latest news in agriculture.