Friends and neighbors,

As the cost of electricity bills skyrocket, Governor Walz and Democrats look to make our state’s energy future more expensive yet less reliable.

Senate Democrats recently introduced a proposal that would require 100% of Minnesota’s electricity to be from carbon-free sources by 2040. This would close off our state to coal and natural gas and mandate the shift to renewable energy sources of wind, solar and battery storage. 

Not only have they named this one of their top session priorities, but it is also a policy that the Democrat trifecta would like to see signed into law by the end of this month. This is an issue that I’ve recently heard from many constituents about and one where I strongly echo their concerns.

Minnesota’s electric utilities have already begun the shift to renewable energy sources without government coercion and forced mandates. Minnesota Power and Xcel Energy, our state’s two largest electric utilities, have set a goal of carbon-free electricity by 2050. And a spokesperson from Xcel shared that the company is committed to meeting this target as soon as possible, “but only if we can do so affordably and reliably.” 

The earlier 2040 timeframe set by Walz and the Democrats, however, would not be affordable to everyday Minnesotans. 

A study by the Center of the American Experiment found that the 100% carbon-free electricity mandate would cost each Minnesota customer an average of $3,888 in additional electricity costs every year, through 2050. Energy prices are already on the rise, and this legislation would only cause a more severe burden on your family’s finances.

Not only is the carbon-free electricity mandate costly to Minnesotans, but this policy also steers our state toward an even more unreliable energy future.

Nuclear power is a carbon-free, clean-energy source that serves as the most resilient form of generation. However, the proposal by Walz and the Democrats does not take any steps to lift Minnesota’s moratorium on building new nuclear power plants. Last session, I fought for legislation to allow nuclear to be a part of Minnesota’s energy conversation, as it is truly the only reliable, zero-carbon electricity source available. Now, if Minnesota intends to fully remove coal and gas generation from the equation, we need more nuclear. And that is why I will push for nuclear to be included as part of this proposal.

Last year, I also fought for the ‘Save Our Sherco’ movement to stop Xcel Energy from closing the coal plants in Becker. Until we put new, reliable energy generation in place in Minnesota, it is critical to conserve the energy sources already available. With severe stresses on the Midwest power grid, our state faces an immediate energy crisis. Now is not the time to shut down any current supply of energy. This would only cause devastating blackouts like those we have seen in Texas, California and North Carolina. Minnesota must never become too reliant upon intermittent solar panels, wind turbines and battery storage facilities.

The Democrats’ 100% zero-carbon mandate goes too far and yet doesn’t provide a sustainable, affordable energy outlook. Instead, we must have a diverse portfolio of energy technologies that guarantee a reliable energy future for our state.

The Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee will hear the 100% carbon-free electricity mandate on Monday, Jan. 23, at 12:30 p.m., and we need more people to speak out. You can ask to testify by emailing the Energy committee administrator at Justin.Emmerich@Senate.MN. Please use the subject line “Testimony January 23, 2023.” Also, indicate if you plan to testify in person or remotely.

Sincerely,

Andrew