By Marya Hart
Campaign teams advocate for legislative change on environmental issues.
Clean Energy
The Clean Energy team ongoing “100% Campaign” project is designed to improve turnout in the election. They are recruiting people to recruit people—friends, families, co-workers—anyone who might be ambivalent or even resistant to voting. Depending on where we stand with the pandemic at the time, they will also be canvassing and door-knocking.
Xcel Energy has asked for yet another extension for submission of their final Integrated Resource Plan, this time to June 30 because of the disruption caused by the pandemic. The team sees this as an opportunity to justify additional “asks” because of the extensions.
State legislative leaders are furiously busy, but things are rather calm for the rank and file. Much is on hold as focus has shifted to pandemic-related legislation. So even though they are in session, this is a good time to contact your legislator about your concerns.
Stop Line 3
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) released new orders May 1, approving Line 3’s Route Permit and Certificate of Need. It was great to read PUC Commissioner Matt Schuerger’s strong dissent. If things go as expected, several Native Nations and environmental groups will refile lawsuits to overturn Line 3’s permits with the Minnesota Court of Appeals in June.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has proposed approving Line 3’s water quality (Section 401) certificate, though it has not made a final decision. Many wrote or called during the public comment period, and the team plans to continue pressuring MPCA Commissioner Laura Bishop to deny the certificate. The Sierra Club and other partners have asked that, at a minimum, the MPCA hold a contested case hearing.
If you want to dig deeper into this topic, check out this moving and enlightening documentary hosted by the White Earth Nation. They have been a leader in fighting the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline, recognizing that it is a threat to life.
Land Use and Transportation
Minneapolis Park Board Commissioner Chris Meyer joined the team for an engaging discussion full of innovative solutions to prolong the #Parkways4People initiative. Thanks to Commissioner Meyer’s advocacy and the comments and petitions submitted by team members, the board voted to keep parkways open to pedestrians until at least late June.
The LUT team also celebrated the historic vote by the St. Paul City Council (on Earth Day!) to add a biking/walking path to Ayd Mill Road. Team members nostalgically reminisced about memories of Ayd Mill events spanning the last 20+ years, and were all very thankful to finally see this victory come about.
To keep the momentum going, the team is submitting comments in support of the transformative Minneapolis Transportation Action Plan and advocating for the inclusion of funding for transit and safe routes to school in the state legislature’s bonding bill.