Hello Neighbor,

We are wrapping up the first month of the session here at the Capitol in St. Paul. It has been a flurry of bill introductions and learning new technology to accomplish our work, but I am grateful to be here representing you. I want you to know that the Senate is ready to tackle the challenging issues around the COVID19 response while keeping the best interests of all Minnesotans in mind.

The value of having input from elected officials who represent citizens across the state is invaluable, and I intend to keep pressuring the governor to hear your voice as the session unfolds.

-Bill

MPCA and Governor Walz Move to Adopt California Emission Standards

On Wednesday, January 20, the Minnesota Senate held a joint hearing with the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy and Legacy Committees regarding the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) intention to adopt the California Emission Standards through the administrative rulemaking process.

The MPCA and Gov. Walz are once again going around the legislature, abusing rulemaking authority to adopt the costly California Emission Standards. Once adopted, Minnesota will become an island of California, the only Midwest state to enforce this burdensome standard on its residents. When we should be encouraging economic growth, the administration is attacking businesses and punishing consumers. Worse yet, the mandates will have a disproportionate effect on poorer Minnesotans and those living in rural and border communities.

In visiting with dealers in District 22, 20-40% of their business comes from neighboring states. The MPCA’s own data indicates that their rule will increase costs on all new vehicles by over $1300.00. In the few states which have adopted this rule, the increases have been from $800 to $2500.00 depending on the vehicle. How are MN dealers to compete with dealers out of state with a cost increase like that? They cannot. And by the way, you can buy a vehicle from another state, but you won’t be allowed to register and license it in MN. Once again, the governor is exercising strong-arm control over you!

Why do the prices of all cars rise? Many electric vehicles are sold at a loss for manufacturers, which is why they only sell them in states that mandate them. This forces automakers to stock unprofitable cars, and they raise prices on other vehicles to make up for the loss. This forces you to subsidize those who buy the unprofitable cars.

Rather than hurt residents, shouldn’t we trust consumers and the market? In Minnesota’s energy generation industry, we have already seen providers move towards cleaner energy without a mandate. One can should expect the same here. Unfortunately, this administration cannot accept the reality that adoption isn’t happening quicker because the technology and pricing not at a point that encourages people to do so.

The “proposed benefit” of the rules also seems questionable based on data from Minnesota and across the nation. Without adopting the standards, MnDOT’s forecast shows that gasoline usage has already hit its peak and is projected to decline exponentially in the future. Furthermore, states like Pennsylvania, which already have adopted the standards, have a smaller percentage of EVs than Minnesota.

Also, in the discussion of the greenhouse effect, the MPCA talks about the need to lower temperatures. What will the impact of the California Standards adopted in MN mean? According to the Center of The American Experiment, these rules will lower the temperature by .000036 degrees Celsius by 2100. For this, they are willing to wreck your family’s budget and our auto dealers industry.

This data suggests that Minnesota’s market is already moving towards cleaner and more efficient cars, with more models hitting lots yearly. Like the energy industry, consumers seem to be determining the trend with demand as EVs become more affordable and technology becoming more accessible. Unfortunately, using their rulemaking power, the MPCA and Governor do not offer any financial incentive to consumers, expecting Minnesota families and dealers to foot the bill.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has begun hosting public information sessions in the agency’s effort to impose the California Car Mandate on Minnesotans. In addition to conducting a public information session, the MPCA will be holding another one on February 2. You can find more information at https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/clean-cars-mn-rulemaking.

Minnesotans who wish to submit public comments can either attend one of the planned virtual hearings, they can submit links via the Office of Administrative Hearings website (https://mn.gov/oah/), or attend a public hearing. The hearings for public comments will take place virtually on February 22 and 23 at 3 p.m.

Because Gov. Walz is doing this through rulemaking, the legislature cannot stop it. It will require you to share your thoughts with the MPCA on the governors’ order! The MPCA says that public opinion is an overwhelming positive. That’s because most people didn’t know about this. You must speak up before it is too late! One website you can use to sign a petition opposing this is, www.NOCACars.com

Welcoming Lamont!

I’m happy to announce that this week Lamont Pyykkonen joined my team to serve as my new Legislative Assistant. Lamont will be in charge of running my front desk and will also perform committee duties for the Senate’s Subcommittee on Property Tax. Before his new role, Lamont was employed with the Senate Victory Fund as a Field Staff. He also has experience interning in Washington DC. As in previous years, legislative assistants will serve as my intermediate by helping handle constituent issues, questions, and concerns.  I am excited to have Lamont on board and am confident that he will be a vital resource to us all as the session unfolds.