Letter of Support for 100% Clean and Equitable Energy Bill HF0700

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To: Chairperson Wagenius
Members of the House Energy and Climate Finance and Policy Division

February 5, 2019

Dear Representative,

In 2007, nobody really knew if it was possible. But we knew we had to try.

Today, Minnesota has reached the renewable energy goals set in the 2007 Next Generation Energy Act seven years early. Reaching 25% renewable energy has shown not only that achieving our clean energy future is possible, it can bring a wealth of economic, health, and quality of life benefits.

We support this 100% Clean Energy Bill. The benchmarks it outlines for achieving renewable and carbon free energy should be the new baseline – with hopes of reaching them even faster than spelled out in the proposed law.

We know that urgent, intentional action is required to prevent further harm to the health, environment, and well-being of Minnesota’s people and communities.

Minnesotans are already starting to feel the impacts of a changing climate. Our winters are warming 13-times faster than our summers and extreme weather is becoming more frequent. Health problems like asthma and allergies for Minnesotans, and diseases spread by ticks and mosquitos are on the rise because of warming temperatures.  Last year alone, Minnesota saw 10 natural disasters that impacted 49 counties and cost $40 million.

Minnesota’s farmers, orchardists, foresters, resorters, and others are feeling the impact of a changing climate on their livelihoods. Communities with lower incomes and those already struggling with health problems are feeling the impact of a changing climate on their health. We must focus our efforts to transition to clean energy by working with these most impacted communities and ensuring an ambitious, equitable, and affordable transition from fossil fuels.

This is the moment for Minnesota to lead on 100% clean energy once again. Since 2007, clean energy has become a success story for Minnesota’s economy. Nearly 60,000 Minnesotans are now employed in the clean energy and efficiency sector – and Minnesota’s clean energy industry is growing twice as fast as the rest of our economy. These jobs are growing here because Minnesota has shown investors that we are serious about our clean energy economy.

By taking action now, Minnesota can build a thriving and equitable clean energy economy that works for every Minnesotan.

Sincerely,

Steve Morse

Minnesota Environmental Partnership                                                         

Alliance for Sustainability

Austin Coalition for Environmental Sustainability

Center for Biological Diversity

Citizens Climate Lobby – Minnesota

Clean Water Action

Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy

CURE (Clean Up the River Environment)

Environment Minnesota

Eureka Recycling

Humming for Bees

Institute for Local Self-Reliance

Izaak Walton League – Cass County Chapter

Izaak Walton League – Minnesota Division

League of Women Voters – Minnesota

Mankato Area Environmentalists

Minnesota Can’t Wait Campaign

Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy

Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light

Minnesota Ornithologists Union

MN350

Pollinator Friendly Alliance

Sierra Club North Star Chapter

Wilderness in the City

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