Campaign teams advocate for legislative change on environmental issues.
Climate Justice: Shut Down the HERC
We want to thank the hundreds of folks who wrote to their Hennepin County Commissioner asking them to delay their Climate Action Plan until it meaningfully addresses transportation emissions and the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC), the trash incinerator which burns and pollutes in North Minneapolis. Commissioners, led by Angela Conley, voted to delay the plan and allow for additional public input and slight improvements to the final version.
However, the final plan falls short. The final version includes only slightly updated language, like striking the words that HERC is viewed “as an asset in fighting climate change," indicating the County is moving away from valuing HERC, but not actually making any plans for its closure. North Minneapolis residents experience the highest rates of asthma related hospitalizations in the state, more than five times the average for Minnesotans. Shutting down the HERC and making the transition to a Zero Waste model at the county level is an important step we must take towards justice.
And, the plan fails to set a strong goal for reducing vehicle miles travelled (and providing reliable, fast and affordable options to give people the freedom to drive less). We are calling for a 30% reduction in vehicle miles traveled by 2030 in Hennepin County, and accelerated adoption of this goal. The state's most urban and populous county should have a much stronger goal than the state Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) goal of 20% by 2050 cited in the plan.
We appreciate the relationships we are building with commissioners with partners in North Minneapolis who are leading the work to shut down HERC, and across Hennepin county with allies and advocates. Working together we can ensure an equitable climate future for all Minnesotans.
Stop Line 3: Support the Frontlines
The Sierra Club is continuing to fight Line 3 in the courts, pressure elected officials to revoke permits, and support those at the frontlines.
Join our partners Honor the Earth, the Welcome Water Protectors Center, and others on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9, from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM for a family-friendly day of celebrating our connection to the water. Anishinaabe woman water protectors will lead a group paddle on the Mississippi River to protect water, defend land, and heal from the addiction to fossil fuel consumption.
You can also help support folks on the frontlines through supply or cash donations.
To stay up to date on the fight to Stop Line 3, sign up for our Sierra Club Line 3 action listserv for a once a week email with upcoming Line 3 resistance events.
Transportation: Clean Cars On The Move, Transit Funding Stalled
Minnesota is inching closer to becoming the first state in the Midwest to establish clean car rules—standards that require new cars and trucks to emit less pollution and increase the percentage to be zero emission, electric vehicles.
The Sierra Club is proud to have organized thousands of Minnesotans to submit comments in support to the Administrative Law Judge. The final decision on the Clean Car Rules is expected shortly. Read our article in MinnPost: Minnesota should become a clean car state — and that’s just the beginning.
While Minnesota becoming a clean car state is significant, there is much more work to be done for the state to truly act on climate, save lives, and address intersecting crises. Recently, the Sierra Club joined a coalition of Minnesota environmental, worker, Indigenous and progressive groups in releasing a mid-term climate report card grading Walz on his actions to ensure a sustainable and equitable future for Minnesota. Unfortunately, the report card found that Walz’s actions fall short of the bold and decisive measures needed to respond to the climate crisis. For efforts to electrify our transportation system, Walz got a “C.” Funding for transit: An “F.”
Climate and air pollution from transportation cannot be eliminated through switching to electric vehicles alone. The MN House transportation bill, HF1684, recognizes that we must also provide reliable, fast and affordable options that provide people the freedom to drive less. We also must prioritize fixing our crumbling roads and building better streets for people walking and bicycling - instead of expanding polluting highways.
There is still time for Governor Walz to improve his grades to a “straight A” when it comes to transportation and a variety of other priorities. Call Gov. Walz now at 651-201-3400 and ask him to support HF1684, and fund transit options for all.
