Minnesota Update
With broad bipartisan agreement unlikely on most energy policy issues, there will likely be intense pressure on the incoming Walz administration to push through carbon dioxide, renewable and environmental goals through executive orders and state agency rulemaking. Interestingly, last week during the the Walz-Flanagan inauguration celebration activists interrupted the event in protest calling for the administration to reverse the Dayton Administration’s previous approval of the Enbridge Line 3 replacement.
At least for the time being, it is hard to determine what the Walz administration’s approach to energy policy will be in the upcoming session. Although he expressed support for increasing the state’s renewable energy mandate during the election, energy policy has not been included in his initial 2019 legislative goals.
The divided control of the two legislative chambers sets up an interesting dynamic when it comes to energy policy. The new House Energy and Climate Committee will be headed by Rep. Jean Wagenius, of Minneapolis, who for years has been one of the most strident green advocates in the House and the DFL members all come from the Twin Cities metro area. This is also the first time “climate” has appeared in the name of legislative committee, and for a reason. Although there was no energy- or climate-related legislation included in the House DFL’s 10 priority bills introduced during the first week, the Energy and Climate Committee spent its first two meetings on a review of climate science and the potential impacts of climate change on the state. We can also expect hearings on expansion of the state’s renewable energy and conservation mandates.
The House committee’s focus on climate policy and renewable energy are likely to run into a roadblock in the Senate, where Sen. Dave Osmek will continue as the chair of the Senate Energy and Utilities Committee. Osmek, from Mound, focused much of his committee’s efforts during the 2017-18 sessions on blocking proposals he believes will increase costs for energy consumers. Despite the wide gap between the two-committee chairs, there are a couple of areas of possible agreement, including efforts to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and updates to programs like the Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) or the Community Solar Program. There will also be discussions over the future of Xcel Energy’s nuclear power plants.