DFLEC: Many Legislative Matters
Today!
Dear DFLEC MN LEG team,
There is a lot going on today in the MN Legislature.
The Senate Energy Omnibus Finance Bill, Fin_20250508_SF2393-A31-DE.pdf, is expected to be heard in the MN Senate today at 11 am.
This bill was revised yesterday in the Finance Committee to remove several harmful provisions but one still remains. The Senate version would end the Community Solar Garden Grant fund by 2030. This is bad news for our solar industry as 60% of the solar projects are CSGs. See the CCSA-Handout which summarizes a cost-benefit analysis of this program.
CALL OR EMAIL YOUR REP AND SENATOR AND ASK THEM TO REMOVE THIS SOLAR-KILLING PROVISION!
Have you emailed your rep and senator about the Transportation Omnibus bill yet? It will be heard in Conference Committee at 1 pm.
Tell them to remove the harmful delay in vehicle miles traveled and Greenhouse gas reduction goals. Also, to not make the drastic cuts to transit that are included in the senate version of the bill. Bonus points for also emailing or calling the conference committee members listed below.
HF 2438 Transportation Omnibus Bill Conference Committee today at 1 pm. Location: Hybrid Hearing 1150 Minnesota Senate Bldg. and Livestream YouTube
Chairs: Sen. D. Scott Dibble and Rep. Jon Koznick
Senate Conferees: Dibble, Carlson, Jasinski, Johnson Stewart, Clark
House Conferees: Koznick, Koegel, Tabke, Olson
MNDOT submitted testimony regarding this provision.
The proposed three-year delay in implementation of greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled requirements in the House version of the bill is concerning. Transportation is the leading sector of GHG emissions in Minnesota and we need to start thinking differently as we plan expansion projects. The legislation enacted in 2023 creates accountability to directly mitigate or offset increased emissions from highway expansion. Delaying these requirements would remove the most meaningful mechanism for accountability on transportation emissions reduction in Minnesota. It would put responsibility for GHG reduction on individuals and it removes accountability for state and local governments, despite governments being directly responsible for delivering transportation options and making land use decisions. I do appreciate efforts to identify a funding source for the mitigation account.
SF 2077, the Environment Omnibus bill will be heard in conference committee today at 1 pm
1:00 PM: Conference Committee on S.F. 2077
Public Notice Date: 5/08/2025 11:01 AM
Location: 123 Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Foung Hawj and Rep. Josh Heintzeman
Senate Conferees: Hawj, Green, McEwen, Kunesh, Johnson Stewart
House Conferees: Heintzeman, Finke, Schultz, Nelson, Fischer, Pursell
Please submit documents to be posted for committee members by May 9, 2025, 8:00 am. Late submissions may Not be posted in advance of the hearing Or included in prepared materials for committee members.
Chair Hawj has the gavel.
Walk through of SF 2077 side-by-side and budget comparison spreadsheet.
S.F. 2077 HawjOmnibus Environment and Natural Resources appropriations
CALL OR EMAIL YOUR SENATOR AND REP AND TELL THEM - NO AMENDMENTS TO ADD POLICY TO THIS BILL! We want to make sure no harmful policy gets added to this bill.
Thank you for your continued advocacy in these final days of the Minnesota Legislature! We are making a difference!
Veda and Greg
I wanted to include this finding from the cost-benefit Community Solar Garden study for your use. The Senate Energy Omnibus finance bill would sunset this by 2030, a move that primarily benefits Xcel Energy CEOs.
The BCA found the LMI-Accessible CSG Program to be cost-effective, with projected net benefits of $2.92 billion for the state, with $1.67 billion in job creation, land lease payments, and community benefits. • LMI subscribers are expected to receive $139 million in benefits, while nonLMI subscribers may see $116 million in benefits. • Bill Savings: Subscribing customers could save $7–$10/month (LMI) and $2–$3/month (non-LMI).
https://assets.senate.mn/committees/2025-2026/1007_Committee_on_Finance/Fin_20250508-SF2393-CCSA-Handout.pdf