On July 26, 2021, Minnesota officially became the newest clean cars state when Governor Tim Walz signed Clean Cars Minnesota into law. Clean Cars Minnesota has been a key climate action targeted by Governor Walz to reduce climate-change causing and health-harming pollution from passenger vehicles while expanding access to electric vehicles (EVs) for Minnesotans.
“Clean Cars Minnesota is a bold step to tackle climate change, reinvest in healthy communities, and position us for a prosperous future,” said Raj V. Rajan, board chair at Fresh Energy. “Fresh Energy thanks Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for their leadership in making Minnesota a clean cars state.”
Our transportation sector is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases and adopting clean car standards is a major step forward in helping get our state back on track to meet its climate goals. Additionally, these standards will significantly benefit the health of Minnesotans by cleaning up our air—especially in under-resourced communities and communities of color who are disproportionally exposed to pollution from vehicles. By reducing vehicle emissions, we can deliver on more equitable public health outcomes.
“Over the past year, thousands of Minnesotans, businesses, and advocates have made their voices heard through the Clean Cars Minnesota rulemaking process. They made it loud and clear that Minnesotans want clean air, healthy communities, and the option to buy whichever vehicle they want,” said Anjali Bains, Senior Clean Transportation Manager at Fresh Energy. “Minnesota becoming a clean cars state establishes Minnesota as a climate leader and innovator in the Midwest.”
The signing of Clean Cars Minnesota is the culmination of 13 years of research and advocacy for clean car standards by Fresh Energy and a broad coalition of organizations. Fresh Energy applauds Governor Tim Walz for leading Minnesota and the Midwest in taking bold climate action on transportation policy. Thank you to former Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Commissioner Laura Bishop and MPCA staff for their tireless effort and dedication to educate and get input from the public on clean cars standards and their significant research into the health impacts and economic benefits of this policy.
Today is a day to celebrate for all Minnesotans.
Fresh Energy will continue our work to decarbonize the transportation sector and further encourage EV adoption and accessibility in Minnesota for passenger vehicles and beyond.
