Minnesota legislators debate the Energy Finance bill aiming to fund multiple agencies and keep Minnesota’s carbon-free energy by 2040 goal.
At the capitol, legislators debated the Energy Finance bill on the House floor on Wednesday May 7th.
The bill funds the Division of Energy Resources, the public utilities Commision and the Petrofund. The legislation also aims to keep Minnesota’s 100% carbon-free energy goal by 2040.
“In order to protect our state and local communities we need to pass a strong data center bill,” said Rep. Patty Alcomb (DFL- Minnetonka). “Protect our natural resources, protect rate payers from footing the bill for the new energy and transmission needs and ensure that facilities will not derail us from meeting our 100% clean energy goals.”
Some argued the bill isn’t doing enough for Minnesota’s clean energy efforts.
“While I am very excited to see this bill on the floor I am deeply disappointed that it doesn’t include any RDA spending,” said Rep. Athena (DFL-St. Paul).
Others argued energy sources incentivized by the bill like solar power may need to be reconsidered.
“Seven years of land cover by solar panels significantly reduces the land’s water capacity and disrupts natural soil fertility rendering the soil infertile,” said Rep. Tom Murphy (R-Underwood). “We need to do our due diligence it’s important.”
In the end, the bill passed with 112 votes for – and 21 votes against.