Gov. Walz Signs Bill Requiring 100 Percent Carbon-Free Energy By 2040

ST. PAUL, MN — Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday signed legislation into law that will require utility companies to generate electricity from 100 percent carbon-free resources by 2040.

"Climate change impacts lives and livelihoods in every corner of our state," Walz said in a news release.

"Minnesota will continue to lead the way on combatting climate change and we’ll create clean energy jobs in the process. This bill is an essential investment in our future that will continue to pay off for generations to come."

Even before 2040, the law enforces benchmarks that utilities must hit. By 2030, 80 percent of power sold to Minnesotans must come from carbon-free resources.

That floor increases every five years until it reaches 100 for all electric utilities in 2040.

"We are excited for Minnesota to continue to lead the clean energy transition with its new goal to provide 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040," said Chris Clark, president of the Minnesota division of Xcel Energy.

According to Walz's office, electrical utilities in Minnesota have already reduced carbon emissions by 54 percent from 2005 to 2020.

State Republicans — who are in the minority in both chambers of the Minnesota legislature — have dubbed the legislation the"Minnesota Blackout bill."

"Minnesotans deserve to have confidence our electric grid will not thrust us into blackouts, confidence higher costs will not be forced upon us, and confidence our homes will have heat, especially in the heart of winter," said state Sen. Eric Lucero.

"Democrats do not care how expensive our energy bills are, don’t care if the lights will turn on, and do not care if we suffer outages for days or potentially weeks at a time."

Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman David Hann added that "by signing the 'Blackout Bill' into law, Governor Walz and the DFL are putting one of the coldest states in the nation on a path to rolling blackouts and energy uncertainty."

In the end, the bill passed the Senate by the narrowest of margins — 34 to 33 — split along party lines.