DFLEC Action alert for Monday, April 28
Early Morning Action Needed!!!!!
EARLY MORNING ACTION NEEDED!
SF 1393 will be heard in the Senate Energy Committee at 8:30 am.
This Bill was written for Amazon to allow them to bypass PUC review for their dirty diesel backup generators. Show up with us at 8:10 to let this committee know WE DO NOT APPROVE!
Please also email and call the DFL cosponsors and remind them they work for you, not Amazon! Both of these Senators have been making too many compromises in which they toss the environment under the bus.
John Hoffman 651-296-4154
Nick Frentz 651-296-6153
Senate Energy Committee
Monday, April 28, 8:30 am
Location: 1150 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
Chair: Senator Nick A. Frentz
*There will be no public testimony on SF 1393
Agenda:
Call to Order
Energy-20250428-Agenda
S.F. 1393 Mathews Data center energy generation redundancy establishment
We join several of our allied environmental groups calling for action to oppose SF2393 the Senate Energy Omnibus Bill.
It contains provisions that would slow progress on our climate priorities. You can quickly send an email to your senator with one or more of these action alerts. Please personalize your message and also call them.
Key reasons to oppose this bill:
Gives large data centers exceptions to Minnesota environmental laws
Ends Minnesota's community solar garden program in 2028
Weakens net-metering laws to reduce the financial benefit for those who live outside of Investor Owned Utilities (like Xcel)
Calls B100 (biodiesel) carbon-free
Allows any size hydro project to qualify towards carbon free electricity
Eliminates the Renewable Development Account (RDA)
We also have concerns about the Senate Environment Omnibus Bill, SF 2077 that will be heard in the Senate Finance Committee at 8:30 am Monday.
Location: 1200 Minnesota Senate Bldg., Chair: Senator John Marty
Public testimony will not be taken on these bills in the Finance Committee.
S.F. 2077 Hawj Omnibus Environment and Natural Resources policy and appropriations
Fin_20250428_SF2077-Spreadsheet.pdf
Fin_20250428_SF2077-Summary.pdf
This bill has policy provisions in it that will likely be removed before it goes to the floor for a vote. We support:
Wild Rice Act. [Wild Rice Policy] declares that it is state policy to recognize the innate significance of wild rice’s ability to exist and thrive in Minnesota.
We also support funding included in the bill for:
Community Grants through the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund
SF1690, the E-waste recycling bill, which would fund free, convenient, and sustainable disposal options for electronic waste.
Ask the Senators to remove these harmful provisions:
SF577 Modifies the Wetland Conservation Act regarding permitting. Portions are already in SF 2077.
SF594 / HF281, appropriates funding for more ATV trails. There are already 8,828 ATV miles accessible to users in our forest inventory system and 100,000 miles accessible to ATVs statewide, including county miles. Before we add any more mileage to sensitive areas that degrade habitat and waters for wildlife, we need more safeguards in place in a cost efficient manner.
Watch for and oppose these possible amendments if introduced:
HF1882 / SF2086 Allows site-specific modifications to sulfate water quality standards
HF 3050 weakens the standards for reactive mine waste
We also join allied groups to oppose the House Transportation Omnibus Bill, HF 2438
It makes huge cuts to transit and delays both the greenhouse gas reduction and vehicle miles traveled goals. Contact your representative with these quick action tools but please personalize your message and also call them if you have not already done so.
MNIPL: Take Action: Contact your Representative
Sierra Club: Click to Take Action
Stay tuned for future updates!
With just 3 weeks to go to the May 19th Deadline, please watch for updates.
In unity,
Greg and Veda, Cochairs DFLEC Legislative Committee
Megan Bond, Chair
