On May 24, 2023, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, joined by Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flannagan, Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic, and state leaders, signed into law a historic budget for Minnesota that, among other leading and equitable new policies for Minnesota, includes significant investments in Minnesota’s clean energy future that address climate change and firmly establish Minnesota as a key leader in America’s clean economy of the future.
“There is a global imperative to use every tool available to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as possible, and to ensure that nobody is left behind in the transition,” said Anna Johnson, senior manager, state and local affairs. “With the signing of this bill, Minnesota has laid the groundwork for accelerating climate solutions and ensuring that all Minnesotans can share in the opportunities and benefits of these historic investments.”
Without question, 2023 will be remembered as the most impactful climate session in Minnesota history and one that takes great leaps in tackling emissions from all sectors of the economy and positioning Minnesota to maximize the historic potential of new Federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“2023 will be long remembered as the year Minnesota reclaimed the mantle of climate leadership,” said Justin Fay, senior lead, public affairs and advocacy. “Minnesota is incredibly fortunate to have strong climate leaders across government and a robust community of climate advocates and stakeholders that have worked for years to achieve this outcome.”
It is with an eye on the future that Fresh Energy is celebrating the powerful policies and programs that passed this year. Now, Minnesotans must work together to ensure that the historic opportunity this legislative session has presented us with is not squandered. Fresh Energy is intensely focused on the implementation of these new laws to ensure that these new policies and programs take effect quickly, correctly, and sustainably as we position Minnesota to engage in even more ambitious and challenging conversations in future years.
