Top Posts
African climate change projects secure major funding
Former French PM urges China, Europe to unite...
NDDC, FOSDO launch tree-planting campaign to address climate...
WHO unveils an ambitious blueprint for action on...
New report shows nearly 900 million poor people...
Lagos to Host 2025 International Climate Change Summit
New study shows overheating world will add 57...
NAICOM urges W’African insurers to invest in climate...
Climate change: Nigeria, development partners launch Net Zero...
Nigeria launches net zero project to fight climate...
EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World
World

Minnesota Senate passes 100% carbon-free by 2040 electricity bill

by Segun Ogunlade February 4, 2023
written by Segun Ogunlade February 4, 2023
715

To step up the fight against climate change, Minnesota utilities would be looking to transition to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 under a law that has just been approved by the Legislature.

The bill which was passed late on Thursday night, having gone through the House 70-60 last week and passed 34 to 33 this time is a top priority for Democrats who control both chambers and for Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, who has made it an important part of his climate agenda and is expected to sign the bill into law.

“Climate change is coming and has been here, and it affects everything we do,” said the lead author, Democratic Sen. Nick Frentz, of North Mankato at the start of the debate on Thursday. “The 100 per cent by 2040 legislation puts Minnesota at the forefront of sustainable energy,”.

He said that carbon emissions remain the number one threat to global health and the bill shows that the state is serious about climate change he called for more serious action in creating an energy production system that is reliable, affordable and responsible.

Read also: Wildfires consume over 750 hectares of land in Chile, threatens forests, farmland

Minnesota’s previous standard, set in 2007 by a Democratic-controlled Legislature and Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, set a goal of reducing overall statewide greenhouse emissions to at least 15% below 2005 levels by 2015, 30% by 2025 and 80% by 2050.

State regulators had earlier in the week reported that Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emissions declined by 23% between 2005 and 2020, an indication that the state was on track to achieve 30% by 2025. The biggest drop was in power generation, where emissions fell 54% amid the switch from coal to renewable energy.

The new bill however aims to further shift utilities away from fossil fuels to wind and solar, and also allows them to use hydropower, biomass, hydrogen and existing nuclear plants to go carbon-free. Utilities that can’t quit coal or gas on their own could ask regulators to let them use “off ramps” to delay compliance, or they could use renewable energy credits to make up the difference.

Story was adapted from AP.

2040Carbon-freeElectricityMinnesota
0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
admineconai

previous post
Wildfires consume over 750 hectares of land in Chile, threatens forests, farmland
next post
Don says fossil fuel responsible for environmental pollution in Nigeria

Related Posts

Former French PM urges China, Europe to unite...

October 22, 2025

WHO unveils an ambitious blueprint for action on...

October 20, 2025

New report shows nearly 900 million poor people...

October 20, 2025

New study shows overheating world will add 57...

October 16, 2025

Heaviest monsoon in a decade kills 458 people...

October 9, 2025

Council releases first fully electric bin lorry

October 9, 2025

Study shows US asthma inhalers produce same emissions...

October 7, 2025

Pope Leo hits out at climate change critics

October 3, 2025

Protesters seek $5tr payment from fossil fuel companies

October 1, 2025

UN official says climate change displaces up to...

September 30, 2025

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Bloglovin
  • Vimeo

@2021 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Eco-Nai+

EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World