Public comments are being taken through Nov. 2 on a proposal tied to federal efforts to scrap Environmental Protection Agency standards for power plant emissions. Minnesota officials said the state will remain vigilant in pursuing cleaner air.
The Trump administration recently announced a final rule change eliminating most standards imposed in 2024. The pending proposal seeks to block remaining and future restrictions. Minnesota has a law requiring all electricity generated here to be carbon-free by 2040.
Frank Kohlasch, assistant commissioner for air and climate policy at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, said the mandate will protect the state. However, Minnesota will still import energy from areas without such laws.
"While we can control what we generate within our borders, we do rely on other states and the federal government to take appropriate action to ensure that not only Minnesota but the entire United States is able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Kohlasch explained.
Some local utilities want to build new natural gas plants ahead of 2040 to meet growing electricity demand. Kohlasch pointed out developers might argue they can still achieve compliance through law provisions, but noted the emerging factors need heightened state regulatory scrutiny.
Last month, the Public Utilities Commission rejected Minnesota Power's request for a new gas plant, saying it didn't demonstrate a clear need. Federal officials contended the EPA standards repeal will save the industry more than $300 billion.
J. Drake Hamilton, managing director of science policy for the advocacy group Fresh Energy, said no matter the current pressures facing the energy sector, it would be a mistake for utilities not to make their planning align with the mission behind Minnesota's mandate.
"It was a very powerful law when it was passed. (It) still is. We can't now build new fossil fuel plants that will not even be paid for by 2040," Hamilton stressed.
Fresh Energy argued such moves will increase costs for utility customers by prolonging reliance on expensive, aging technologies.
The group agrees with other assessments showing Minnesota is on track to meet its carbon-free electricity goal as coal plants around the state are phased out. But some analysts question how much progress will be threatened by the recent natural gas push fueled by data center growth.
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