The Future is Electric: Minnesota Needs to Plug In

Taking Action to Bus Back Better

 

The future is electric.

The change to zero emission transportation is not only necessary, it’s inevitable, and in progress – but Minnesotans are missing out because the state is not acting.

One of the biggest steps Minnesota can take immediately is to sign onto the Multistate Memorandum of Understanding for Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicles (MOU). Our team is asking Governor Walz to do just that. On January 31 2022 we delivered a letter asking for him to take this action, with the names of over 60 supporters across climate justice, racial justice, labor, manufacturing, and the Minnesota Legislature. We hope to see the Governor take action on this no later than March, 2022.

We all breathe the air and rely on a stable climate. Hopefully our state’s leadership will position Minnesota to benefit from the billions in investment and potential for thousands of new jobs by acting this year. Take note Gov. Tim Walz: This is a “One Minnesota” policy.

Use the form and information provided to send a message to the Governor, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the Minnesota Pollution Agency asking them to sign the MOU and to set goals for the state’s large vehicle emission reduction.

Bus Back Better: How to Powerfully Ask for Action

 

Take Action to Bus Back Better 

To persuade our elected officials to act in our best interest, we need to present more than just the data. We need to present powerful arguments, share our personal stories and experiences, and engage with what we know is important to policymakers.

Using the form below join us in making these two asks: 

We are asking the Walz Administration, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to act now to sign onto the Multistate Memorandum of Understanding for Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicles (MOU MHD). We are also asking them to take immediate steps to create a multi-year plan to transition all large vehicles in Minnesota to zero emission.

Here are some ways to make sure the message you send is the most powerful version it could be:

  • Mention the communities in MN which are important to you, especially your connections to greater MN. Often times policymakers perceive climate policies as a “metro area” issue.
  • We want to make sure we emphasize that clean air, stable climate, and greener jobs benefit all Minnesotans. Make sure to mention that this is a true “one Minnesota” policy.

Here is some information about the jobs case for large zero emission vehicles:

  • Electric vehicle manufacturing provides more than 1,000 jobs in Minnesota, most of which are seen at the New Flyer and Zeus facilities. Most of the vehicles produced in Minnesota are shipped to other states with more ambitious climate goals. 
  • Lion Electric, one of the biggest manufacturers of electric school buses on the continent, is creating a new facility in Iowa, which will employ 750 people.
  • Proterra, another e-bus manufacturer, grew from 200 jobs to 1,000 American jobs last year.
  • According to a recent report from the Economic Policy Institute, the U.S. auto sector could require an increase of over 150,000 jobs if electric vehicles rise to 50% of domestic auto sales in 2030. Minnesota’s going to miss out on these jobs and this investment if we don’t start positioning ourselves now.

If Governor Walz signs onto the Multistate Memorandum of Understanding for Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicles tomorrow:

  • Minnesota would reduce 43.2 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2050.
  • It would prevent 106 million tons of NOx emissions, reducing deaths and hospital incidents from air pollution.
  • 74% of large vehicles would be electric by 2050.
  • Within eight years, the cost of large electric vehicles will be about as affordable a gas or diesel vehicle. On top of this, owners would save $16,000 in fuel and maintenance costs over the vehicle’s lifetime.

 

Citing Our Sources

Here are some of the best resources about transportation, air pollution, and climate in Minnesota.