The 2025 session of the Minnesota Legislature is well underway with only a few short months remaining of the regular session. Fresh Energy knew going into this year that we would have crucial work to do when it comes to ensuring that Minnesota’s clean energy and climate progress continues and that we would need to be on deck to actively defend our state’s most critical bedrock clean energy policies.

While we have been playing a fair amount of defense, we’ve also been laying the groundwork for ambitious clean energy policy into the future. Of course, this all takes place amidst unprecedented federal turmoil and political polarization. Because clean energy and climate progress is under attack at the federal level, it’s more important than ever that states like Minnesota keep up this critical work.

Fresh Energy’s team understands the importance of this moment and is maintaining our strong leadership presence at the Capitol this session, advocating for carbon-neutral economies and defending Minnesota’s legacy as a clean energy leader. As of mid-March, we’ve submitted 20 written pieces of testimony, testified in committee four times, and signed onto three letters with our network of coalition partners. Getting a bill over the finish line is no small task, and we’re hustling to ensure bill jackets are in hand, preparing our legislative partners for committee hearings, and adeptly navigating relationships at the Capitol to pursue clean energy solutions for all Minnesotans.

Fresh Energy is one of dozens of climate and clean energy organizations and coalitions working, amidst significant headwinds and uncertainty, to make this session count. Many organizations in Minnesota’s climate community are finding themselves on uncertain ground, but it has been heartening to see so many come together and collaborate to protect, defend, and advance clean energy policy in Minnesota.

A shining example of this collaboration came early in the session when the Minnesota House targeted the 100% clean electricity law with the goal of undermining its strength. Fresh Energy joined an outpouring of climate and clean energy organizations in the state to step up swiftly and defend this landmark law. Clean energy advocates also spoke up at record speed through our Action Network, sending 425 messages to their elected leaders in defense of the law. 100% isn’t out of the woods yet, but so many strong voices speaking up at the same time made (and continues to make) a big difference. If you haven’t sent a message to your legislators about 100%, you still can! Use our Action Alert tool here.

The Fresh Energy team is taking on a lot this session, but here are a few key things we’re laser focused on right now:

Geothermal planning grants

In 2024, the Minnesota Legislature created a $1.2 million grant program to help local communities and counties begin studying geothermal development. Geothermal is an energy-efficient and cost-effective way to heat Minnesota buildings, and these grants help in the pre-design phase to see if it’s a good, feasible option for a site. This is particularly important for Minnesota’s schools, 41% of which need new HVAC systems nationwide. HF 2162/SF2454, authored by Representative Mahamoud and Senator McEwen, will fund these important grants to reduce carbon emissions, improve health outcomes for Minnesotans, reduce energy costs, and create new economic opportunities. If passed, this bill will help leverage private and public financing, grants, tax incentives, and more to help schools access low-interest loans for geothermal heating projects.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel

With aviation now making up nearly 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. transportation sector, Minnesota has emerged as an ideal location for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a low-carbon jet fuel replacement to reduce emissions. Thanks to abundant feedstocks, existing infrastructure, and strong market demand, Minnesota stands to benefit from the emerging clean industry, and the Minnesota Legislature has two bills about SAF. The first bill (SF 1312/HF 1669, authored by Senator Rest and Representative Davids) expands the SAF definition and tax credits to incentive the cleanest methods of producing SAF. The second bill (SF 1515/HF 42, authored by Senator Westrom and Representative Anderson) expands the definition of SAF to include green electrolytic hydrogen, which uses clean electricity to produce SAF.

Fresh Energy has been closely involved in efforts to create a SAF industry in Minnesota that contributes positively to the environment and communities. But our state’s leaders still need to hear from Minnesotans who support SAF. Learn more about SAF and fill out our Action Alert to let Governor Walz know you support Minnesota leading from the north on a lower-carbon alternative to jet fuel.

Data centers

A significant emerging issue for energy in Minnesota is the proliferation of data centers. While construction of data centers has been robust in many parts of the country, interest in data center location is now accelerating here in Minnesota. In part, this is economic investment tied to Minnesota’s clean energy success — data center owners are attracted by Minnesota’s clean, reliable, and affordable electricity. However, the impact that data centers can have on communities and on our overall energy system is incredibly complex. Fresh Energy will be working in 2025 and beyond to ensure protections for ratepayers and maximization of benefits for host communities as part of legislative conversations on data center policies.

White Earth Tribal and Community College Trades Building

White Earth Tribal and Community College (WETCC) is launching an exciting initiative to construct a Trades Building on its Mahnomen campus, addressing northern Minnesota’s critical skilled labor shortage and advancing the clean energy economy. This shovel-ready project will establish an accessible education program offering HVAC, plumbing, welding, renewable energy, and construction certification programs, along with a new Associate of Applied Science degree focusing on renewable energy and climate adaptation. Building our clean energy future requires lots of skilled tradespeople, and the WETCC Trades Building creates a pathway for economic advancement in an underserved region while equipping northern Minnesota with skilled tradespeople needed to build climate-friendly infrastructure in rural communities.

Minnesota Heat Standard

Minnesota’s homes and buildings are creating more carbon emissions than ever before. The Minnesota Heat Standard aims to fix this problem by creating a market-based solution that financially rewards cleaner heating options and holding fossil-fuel heat providers accountable for reducing pollution. This plan will do more than decrease carbon emissions — it will create family-sustaining jobs installing clean heating systems, lower the cost of switching to cleaner options, and protect families from unpredictable gas and propane price spikes. Fresh Energy is bringing this proposal to state lawmakers this spring and is identifying partners to support us in making Minnesota rapidly switch to cleaner heating solutions.

Continued defense

While Fresh Energy works to advance clean energy and climate policy at the Legislature this year, we’re also aggressively defending our historic clean energy policies against numerous attacks. Most notably (as we mentioned at the start of this blog), House File 9 authored by Representative Swedzinski, threatens Minnesota’s landmark 100% clean electricity law Fresh Energy helped to pass just two years ago. Our team has quickly mobilized to protect this cornerstone policy by organizing an Action Alert, providing testimony in committee hearings, and meeting directly with legislators to explain why keeping this law intact matters for Minnesota’s energy future.

Beyond protecting the 100% clean electricity law, Fresh Energy is acting as a defensive bulwark against a myriad of other attempts to roll back Minnesota’s climate progress. We’re drafting written testimony, speaking at hearings, providing technical expertise to lawmakers, and coordinating with partners across the state, all to ensure that Minnesota continues to lead from the north.

What’s next: Bill deadlines, more hearings, and budget decisions

Bill deadlines are fast approaching, and the pace of testimonies is heating up. A bill cannot become law unless it meets two critical legislative deadlines. For a bill to be considered for passage this year, it will need to go through all relevant policy committees by April 4, and finance committees by April 11. Meeting both deadlines does not guarantee a bill will become law but rather sets the agenda for what policies are on the table for this year’s session. With approaching deadlines, we’re proactively engaging with legislators and coalition partners alike — and it also presents a great opportunity to make your voice heard with your elected officials — on the importance of clean energy investments in Minnesota’s next two-year budget.

Committee chairs will hear their final set of bills throughout the remaining weeks before deadlines, including their omnibus bill, which lays out a committee’s fiscal and policy priorities. House and Senate committees independently craft their respective omnibus proposals, with any differences between the two versions ironed out through conference committee. In this process, members who sit on the same committee in each body — such as the Energy Committee — come together to create a unified version of the bill.

Throughout the final stages of session, Fresh Energy remains a fierce advocate through in-person and written testimony, coordinating action with our coalition partners, and leveraging deep relationships with climate leaders at the Legislature to prioritize clean energy policy and funding in the state budget that will be sent to Governor Walz’s desk.

And don’t forget! It’s a budget year at the Minnesota Legislature. As the 2025 session nears these committee deadlines, we are engaging in an historic moment in split House control where the Climate and Energy Committee chairs Sen. Nick Frentz, Rep. Patty Acomb, and Rep. Chris Swedzinski need to reach an agreement on an energy omnibus bill and multiple agency budget bills.

Fresh Energy’s aim is to work to prevent any rollback of previous gain on climate and energy policy while navigating the realities of divided government. All committees will need to reach these kinds of agreements by the end of session to pass a budget and keep the Minnesota State government operating without interruption. Our state budget has forecasted a very slim surplus this year and future budget deficits. We feel strongly that it is our task to be creative about funding, seek agreement in modest gains, and champion the reliability and cost effectiveness of good climate policy in a challenging environment.

Stay tuned for more and plug in with Fresh Energy!

• RSVP for Lagers and Legislation: Join us for our third gathering of Fresh Energy’s Action Network on May 21, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at Urban Growler in Saint Paul. All are welcome to join us in lifting a glass to advancing and defending meaningful climate policy. Register here.
• Join Fresh Energy’s Action Network: The Action Network is a group of dedicated clean energy and climate advocates who want access to more opportunities to learn about and engage in energy issues at the state and national levels. Sign up here.
• Speak up now: Visit our Take Action page for ways to speak up in defense of 100% and to tell Governor Walz that you support Minnesota leading on clean aviation