With the signature today (Feb 7) of Governor Tim Walz, Minnesota becomes the latest state to move towards a carbon-free electricity system. The state joins 21 other states where laws, executive orders, or board decisions set goals of 100% clean power no later than 2050. The District of Columbia and Puerto Rico also have such goals.
The Minnesota law requires electric utilities to get 100% of the electricity they sell from carbon-free sources by 2040, including renewables and nuclear power. There are interim targets of 80% carbon-free power in 2030 and 90% in 2035. The legislation also increases the state's Renewable Energy Standard to 55% by 2035.
"The adoption of 100% clean energy goals by an increasing number of states has been one of the most important energy policy developments of recent years," said CESA Executive Director Warren Leon. "Minnesota's addition to the ranks of those states is especially noteworthy, because the state has historically been a leader in clean energy policy and its new goals are ambitious and meaningful."
In 2021, renewables accounted for 29% of total in-state electricity net generation, while coal fueled 26%, nuclear power supplied 24%, and natural gas contributed 21%. Coal had been the largest share of Minnesota's electricity generation until 2020, when it fell below renewables and nuclear power for the first time. Coal is expected to continue to decline, as the largest coal plant in the state is scheduled to partly shut down in 2025, and fully retire by 2034.
With plentiful renewable resources in the state and region, wind and solar are expected to supply most of the additional clean power required by the new law. Minnesota has a moratorium on building new nuclear plants until a permanent radioactive waste depository is established.
With the addition of Minnesota, 52.8% of the US population (as of the 2020 US Census) lives in a state, territory, or federal district with a 100% clean power goal. Minnesota accounts for about 1.8% of US population. Information about all the states with goals is available in CESA's Guide to 100% Clean Energy States.
About the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA)
CESA is a leading coalition of state energy agencies working together to advance the rapid expansion of clean energy technologies and bring the benefits of clean energy to all. Established in 2002, CESA is a national, member-supported nonprofit that works with its members to develop and implement effective clean energy policies and programs. CESA initiatives include the 100% Clean Energy Collaborative, which was created to assist states that have 100% clean energy goals by providing knowledge-sharing activities and analysis so that together they can address program challenges and opportunities. The Collaborative also provides information and technical assistance to states that may consider establishing similar goals. www.cesa.org
CONTACT:
Samantha Donalds
Communications Manager
Clean Energy States Alliance
Ph: 508-654-5813
Email: sam@cleanegroup.org
