Minnesota's future hinges on the energy choices we make today, and Xcel Energy's Integrated Resource Plan is a pivotal moment. While the utility is planning for more wind, solar, and battery storage by 2030, it also plans to add over 2,200 megawatts of “natural” gas (aka methane gas), by building new gas plants.
Xcel’s plan is coming before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission this fall. Send a personal comment to the PUC sharing why you don’t want new methane gas plants built and asking them to make a decision that protects customers, our climate, and holds Xcel accountable.
Meanwhile, there continue to be hurdles with the Minneapolis Rooftop Depot project. In the Spring of 2023, the city, state, and the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI) agreed that they would purchase the site using funds from EPNI and from the state, whose contribution was slated to be in the 2024 bonding bill. However, the bill failed: it wasn’t formally approved until 30 seconds (!) after the official end of the session. So at this point, the state has not committed any funds to the project. The project was in desperate need of funding to make up a $5.75 million funding gap. Some great news, though: on September 5, the city extended the period to obtain funding to September 2025, giving EPNI an opportunity to achieve what was not looking possible. There will be an update in next month's A Deeper Dive.
The team is now considering legislative priorities for the next session, including a Clean Heat bill that would require gas utilities to reduce emissions. We're also focusing on efforts to expand rooftop solar, build out smart grids, hold our state agencies accountable to people over industry.and addressing state executives’ failure to enforce environmental laws, particularly those affecting utility companies.
The team has developed and presented a workshop on the Inflation Reduction ACT, particularly regarding rebates and tax credits. Members of the team are ready to present to more groups: neighborhood associations, churches, social and political groups, etc. If you know of anyone who might be interested, email Nic.
Finally, a reminder. We are all very interested and invested in the national elections, of course. But let’s not forget state and (particularly) local campaigns, which are important to environmental and other issues of major concern. Let’s not forget!