ST. PAUL, Minn. – Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) presented a bill today in the energy committee to lift the cap on hydroelectric energy sources in Minnesota. 

The bill aims to unlock additional clean power generation by removing capacity and date restrictions, ultimately, allowing any hydroelectric facility, regardless of its power capacity or operational date, to be considered an eligible energy-generation technology under Minnesota’s clean energy standards.  

“Energy costs and grid reliability are a growing concern for Minnesotans and producers alike,” said Eichorn. “With all of the water resources we have here in Minnesota, this is something that we should be including in our all-of-the-above energy approach.” 

Under current law, energy produced by hydroelectric plants generating more than 100 megawatts is not considered carbon-free, limiting our energy sources allowed under the Carbon-Free 2040 mandate that would make our state’s energy system more clean, affordable, and reliable. 

As Minnesota transitions to meet clean energy goals set in 2023, large, hydroelectric facilities will be a reliable energy source needed to meet the extremely challenging goal of being carbon-free by 2040. Minnesota currently has 33 hydroelectric power plants operating in the state.  

The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a final energy bill.