Monday, Jul. 17, 2023
Does Minnesota law mandate that the state exclusively use wind and solar power?
Minnesota’s climate legislation plans out a goal for a 100% carbon-free electricity standard by 2040. This includes wind, solar, hydroelectric and nuclear sources of energy.
Minnesota’s two nuclear energy plants supplied 24% of the state’s energy in 2021, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, although the state has a moratorium on new nuclear plants. Federally defined renewable energy accounted for 29%, coal accounted for 26% and natural gas accounted for 21%.
In February, MinnPost reported that the state expects to hit its 2025 goal of 30% carbon emissions reduction, set in 2007. From 2005 to 2020, the electric sector reduced emissions by 54%. Transportation reigns as the biggest carbon polluter in Minnesota but has reduced emissions by 18% since 2005.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- Minnesota Legislature SF 4
- US Energy Information Administration US Energy Information Administration
- CUB Minnesota Citizens Utility Board: Xcel
- MinnPost Citing climate concerns, some progressives look to change the conversation about nuclear power in Minnesota
- MinnPost Minnesota’s carbon emissions on track to meet climate goals set in 2007
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