SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota House approved H.F. 2310, the combined Climate & Energy and Environment & Natural Resources Budget bill. The legislation invests over $670 million in new funding for the environment and natural resources, funding the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the Board of Water and Soil Resources, as well as the Metropolitan Council Parks, Conservation Corps, Minnesota Zoo, and the Science Museum of Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Climate & Energy section invests over $348 million in new funding to lower energy costs, create more clean energy jobs, and address and combat climate change.
Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth) voted for the legislation.
“Minnesota has been a nationwide leader in moving toward a clean energy future, but people from across the state are counting on lawmakers to take bolder action to protect the health of our planet and our cherished natural resources in this state,” Rep. Olson said. “The budget the House passed tonight helps address the urgency of climate change with strong investments in a more sustainable state for generations to come. The bill will help create good-paying jobs, lower energy costs, and promote equity for all Minnesotans, ensuring no one is left behind by our clean energy transition.”
Minnesota is one of the fastest-warming states due to climate change, and this bill puts Minnesota on the path to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The budget includes almost $50 million in weatherization funding and $65 million of investments in solar and storage technology. Updating aging buildings help reduce energy costs for under-resourced Minnesotans and protects them from extreme weather events. The bill devotes funding to innovative solar and storage programs, including expanding community solar gardens, solar on public buildings, and the popular solar for schools program. It also ensures that Minnesota remains a clean energy leader by establishing programs to unlock and leverage federal energy programs and private funding, including creating a “Green Bank” to work with public and private investors to finance cleaner, less expensive, and more reliable sources of energy.
The bill ensures that all Minnesotans—especially those disproportionately impacted by climate change—can benefit from the clean energy transition by investing in local projects that will create good-paying jobs that pay workers the prevailing wage. The legislation includes funds to upgrade electrical panels and increase access to home solar panels and heat pumps and helps dealerships, consumers, school districts, and more prepare for the transition to electric vehicles.
H.F. 2310 includes groundbreaking solutions to address forever chemicals known as PFAS. The package encompasses multiple pieces of legislation setting water standards and banning non-essential PFAS use in a variety of products. The legislation adds stronger protections for residents of environmental justice areas and looks at the cumulative impact of air toxins and pollution in disadvantaged communities.
The bill also invests $93 million for replanting trees and responding to emerald ash borer (EAB), $6.6 million to address aquatic invasive species (AIS), and a comprehensive package to slow the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Minnesota’s wild and farmed deer populations.
The bill now goes to the Minnesota Senate for its consideration.