DURING THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, we’re focused on advancing the MN350 Action Climate Justice Agenda. We created the agenda with input from all of MN350 Action’s campaigns and teams. Our members were clear: We need a comprehensive vision to confront the interconnected crises of climate change and racial injustice, and we have no time to waste putting the agenda into action.
We invite supporters to stay informed about the progress of climate justice bills and to engage with state leaders as we work together to build power for an equitable clean energy future.
MN350 Action will be marshalling advocacy and inviting supporters to contact legislators to support or oppose several bills:
MN350 Action supports the 100% Bill, which requires all Minnesota electricity to be generated from 55% renewable energy by 2035 and to be carbon free by 2040. Just as important, it sets a high bar for climate action for other states to follow.
We made history in 2019 when the House voted for the first time to pass 100% legislation, but the final omnibus bill was blocked by the Senate. Rep. Jamie Long of Minneapolis introduced the measure again last year, updating it with an electric utility renewable energy standard that includes a carbon-free energy requirement of 65% by 2025, increasing steadily to 100% by 2040. MN350 Action is partnering with the 100% Campaign to monitor and promote the measure as it moves through the Legislature once again.
MN350 Action leads the campaign behind the Headwaters Community Food and Water Bill. The industrial food system generates 26% of our greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota and is dependent on extractive practices that destroy ecosystems and communities alike — and it’s paid for with our tax dollars. Now is the time to set a course for success together-rural and urban communities connected by a common purpose-neighbors caring for one another and the home we share-to invest in a food system that nourishes the earth, its people, and our communities while meeting the challenges posed by climate change. The Headwaters Bill provides the funding and infrastructure we need to establish a resilient, regenerative, and racially-just “source to table” locally adapted food system in Minnesota designed to depend on healthy ecosystems — in other words, it puts our money where our mouths are and provides future generations with a legacy we can be proud of.
Add your name to get updates on the bill’s progress and find out how you can help:
Anti-protest bills promote the legally dubious concept of “vicarious liability” — or what MN350 Action and other opponents call “guilty by association.” These chilling and patently unconstitutional measures have been introduced in the House and Senate (HF 129/SF 1378).
The far-right American Legislative Exchange Council, a front group for fossil fuel interests, is the behind-the-scenes source of these bills. Almost identical versions have been passed in several other states. Similar measures have been introduced and defeated in Minnesota during previous sessions. The explicit criminalization of everyone found “trespassing” being held responsible for any “damage” quite obviously targets Line 3 protestors and water protectors.
The bills also seek to impose significant fines on supporting organizations, by including the language “(b) Whoever intentionally recruits, trains, aids, advises, hires, counsels, or conspires with or otherwise procures another to commit a violation of paragraph (a) is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than ten years or to payment of a fine of not more than $20,000, or both, if a violation is committed and the person fails to make a reasonable effort to prevent the violation.”
Existing Minnesota law already adequately covers penalties for damaging critical infrastructure. This is a dangerous and blatant attempt to significantly lower the threshold for prosecution of peaceful protesters and organizations like MN350 who support civic engagement. It also works to criminalize free speech and assembly rights of Indigenous water protectors and other Minnesotans who oppose pipelines and other fossil fuel infrastructure. It would intimidate protesters and inhibit legitimate protest.
MN350 Action has long supported Clean Cars Minnesota, a common-sense proposal from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency that would, among other things, reduce air pollution in our communities, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and pave the way for more efficient gas cars as well as vehicles that run on carbon-free electricity. Win-win-win, right? Well, while you may have heard about the initiative’s promise, a group of state senators and representatives are currently attempting to gut this rule, and they’re supported by the Minnesota Auto Dealers Association.
Opponents started by waging a disinformation campaign and then in January introduced bills in both the state House and Senate: H.F. 395 and S.F 450. Both seek to strip the PCA of its authority to limit air contaminants produced by motor vehicles, allowing pollution and emissions to continue hurting everyday Minnesotans despite automakers already having the technology to decrease both. We strongly oppose these bills and will keep you updated on how to keep Clean Cars Minnesota on track.
MN350 Action submitted written testimony urging a state Senate committee to block this bill.