By Marya Hart
Campaign teams advocate for legislative change on environmental issues.
Stop Line Three
The Stop Line Three campaign had a depressing and heart-breaking month. Line 3 got all the permits it needs and construction is underway. Thousands of workers are in northern Minnesota and an increase in conflicts is expected.
On December 4th, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) rejected a petition from Red Lake and White Earth seeking a delay on Line 3 construction. The tribes sought the stay in part because of COVID-19 risks from an influx of non-local workers. Red Lake and White Earth are expected to appeal the PUC's decision to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
Separately, the Sierra Club is part of a joint suit to overturn the PUC's Line 3 Certificate of Need. Without a stay, there might not be a decision until the pipeline is almost complete and environmental damage is done. Sierra Club also recently filed a legal challenge to overturn the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Line 3 water crossing permits. Sierra Club volunteers are also engaged in Watch the Line, to monitor Line 3 construction and document potential violations.
Clean Energy
With the end of the year fast approaching, the Clean Energy team is considering their priorities for environmental legislation at the next House and Senate sessions. One constraint is very clear: given extreme budget shortfalls, anything involving money is unlikely to pass. Therefore, they have been looking at ways to promote action that doesn’t cost anything—which definitely cuts down the number of possibilities.
One possibility is to extend a requirement that utility companies allow the development of community solar gardens. Xcel is doing so (albeit grudgingly) but the team is proposing that the requirement be extended to other utilities in the state. The team also looked at encouraging schools to install solar panels as there are federal funds available for this purpose.
We also want to use the opportunity to keep pushing for what we really need: a just transition to 100% clean energy. Every legislative session is a chance to make our case and shine a light on legislators who would move us backwards.
Land Use and Transportation
This year has been an unusual one, but looking back we get to celebrate the progress made for clean, equitable transportation. Ayd Mill Road now has a lovely bike and pedestrian trail after a decade-long battle and many more people-friendly paths have been constructed throughout the Twin Cities. Bus rapid transit and light rail expansion received funding; along with the Minneapolis City Council passing the Transportation Action Plan to move the city towards safer and more frequent biking, walking, rolling, and transit trips.
Heading into 2021, the team is working on a legislative agenda that includes strategies to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by cars. A draft of clean car emissions standards is expected soon from the governor’s office, which will be followed by a public comment period. Last week, a diverse coalition of twenty-five organizations delivered a letter to MNDoT, the Federal Highway Administration, and local officials regarding Rethinking I-94. The letter highlighted the need for reduced pollution, no lane expansions, and community-centered structures. You can read more about some of our I-94 work here.
Zero Waste Task Force
The Sierra Club has joined a coalition of 550+ organizations calling on President-Elect Biden to take bold action on plastic pollution. The plan outlines eight executive actions the President can take, with or without Congress, to fight the plastic pollution crisis. Sign now to join the action calling on him to be a #PlasticFreePresident.