Rebecca Kling, rebecca.kling@sierraclub.org
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- The Sierra Club released a groundbreaking report and research tool today which grades utilities based on their plans to retire coal plants, stop building new gas plants, and invest in clean energy -- allowing readers to judge each utility’s climate progress and how it compares to what science demands.
Minnesota’s largest electricity provider, Xcel Minnesota, received a barely-passing score of 66 out of 100. Xcel’s parent company received a score of just 41, in large part because of the many new gas plants the utility intends to build; Xcel Energy has the fifth-most planned new gas capacity of all utilities examined in the report.
“While Xcel Minnesota has made significant commitments to move away from coal, much of the credit for that progress should go to community advocates for pressing Xcel to do so, and pushing for stronger state and clean energy standards,” said Jessica Tritsch, Senior Campaign Representative with the Beyond Coal Campaign. “Meanwhile, Xcel’s ongoing commitment to fossil gas is outdated and out of line with what science, public opinion, and Xcel’s own greenhouse gas goals tell us is necessary. The climate crisis demands that we transition to 100% clean, renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, Xcel Minnesota is pushing to build a costly and unnecessary fossil gas plant and pipeline in Becker.”
Xcel Minnesota's integrated resource plan (IRP) is currently in front of the MN Public Utilities Commission (PUC), with comments from stakeholders due February 11th and decisions expected later this year. The IRP process is an opportunity for stakeholders and Xcel customers to hold Xcel to its commitment to 100% clean energy, and to address the shortcomings outlined in today’s report.
Great River Energy was also included in the report, and received a score of 75 out of 100, in large part due to the planned retirement of its Coal Creek coal plant and plans to replace Coal Creek with clean energy and energy storage rather than a new fossil gas plant. Basin Electric, which is based in North Dakota and provides power across multiple states including Minnesota, received a score of 6 out of 100.
“The Dirty Truth About Utility Climate Pledges report bore out what we’ve long suspected of utility executives who use ‘carbon pledges’ to mollify demands for climate action,” said Mary Anne Hitt, National Director of Campaigns at the Sierra Club. “‘Greenwashing’ is alive and well with utilities looking to secretly double down on dirty fossil fuels, and avoid a true transition to clean energy. This report and utility tracker website gives customers the transparency they need to hold their utilities accountable now and in the future.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.