Ojibway Lake Ski with Dogs, Chuck Dayton
by Mary Blitzer
It's 34 degrees as I write this and I’m feeling the sun’s love. We’ve gained two hours of daylight in the 67 days since the winter solstice. Each day bringing a new chance to build the just, sustainable world we need.
We’re also now 46 days into the Minnesota legislative session. Day after day we see different House Democrats – including great new leaders – advance bills which really take on the multiple sources of climate pollution. This includes policies to commit to 100% clean energy, support transit and electric vehicles, reform farming practices and protect frontline communities from pollution. Meanwhile, the State Senate -- controlled by a Republican majority -- remains focused on blocking progress including stopping the Clean Cars rule and repealing energy efficiency programs. To build public pressure for real action, we need leadership from the Governor. We are calling on Walz to truly lead for our climate, which means he needs to go beyond support for clean electricity and tackle all sources of climate pollution including fossil gas, buildings and especially transportation, which is now the largest source of climate pollution. To learn more, join us at our March 15 Legislative Update Webinar .
Outside of the legislature, we are deeply invested in organizing and administrative advocacy to improve our major utilities Xcel Energy and Minnesota Power's plans. We’re pushing at the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for a commitment to a complete and just transition to 100% clean energy, rather than their proposed build out of a new fossil gas plants. You can read more about our “Clean Energy for All” alternative to Xcel’s proposal here . We’re also pushing the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to meet its mission to protect communities from pollution, not weaken water quality standards. We’ve submitted our formal comments along with over 800 comments from supporters to the judge reviewing the proposed weaker rules. And we continue our work in the courts -- this week, the Minnesota Supreme Court sent the PolyMet air permit back to a lower court for a new ruling on whether PolyMet knowingly lied in their permit application.
This advocacy is powered by you. Thank you to the thousands of supporters who have taken action so far this year, speaking up online and showing up to virtual lobby days. We look forward to seeing some of you at an upcoming event and invite you to reach out with any questions or feedback.
While our advocacy is critical, so is taking time to get outdoors. I hope you all get out into the sunshine soon!