Five big legislative victories for the environment! Plus one that might not be on your radar.

2023 will go down in history as the year Minnesota made its single largest one-time investment in climate initiatives and environmental protection: $640 million! Thanks to legislators, community organizers, and you.

There are more wins to celebrate than we could include in one list, but we wanted to highlight a few to give you a sense of the breadth and depth of changes ushered in this session. Also, to read a more in-depth dive on all the legislation MCEA had a hand in passing this session, check out this post. 

1. Turning off the tap on PFAS forever-chemicals

PFAS forever-chemicals are found in things we touch everyday, from the nonstick pans we use to cook our scrambled eggs in the morning, to the carpets our kids play on, to the floss we use before we go to bed. They are also linked to an array of health conditions, including cancer. PFAS were invented in Minnesota, and now we’re going to have the most comprehensive ban against them in the country. Clean Water Action and MCEA led the organizational push at the Capitol for this new legislation. It got national attention. Out-of-state lobbyists representing corporate interests flew in to oppose it. Ultimately, they couldn’t stand-up to our Minnesota momentum, nor Amara Strande, the young Maplewood woman who fought for this PFAS ban up until her death on April 14th, 2023. We wouldn’t have this sea-change without her. 

2. Measuring Cumulative Impacts of pollution on communities

Minnesota is the third state to pass legislation that addresses the cumulative harms of industrial pollution, which has been concentrated in low-income communities and communities of color through government zoning. Although it’s limited to the seven-county metro, Duluth, and Rochester, tribal nations can opt in to the new permitting standards as well. MCEA is proud to be a member of the Frontline Communities Protection Coalition (FCPC) that worked with Community Members for Environmental Justice (CMEJ) to help pass this landmark bill. Over the next three years, defining the logistics of implementing these new requirements will shape the strength of this legislation. MCEA will continue to be there, advocating for the most impactful version possible. 

3. Creating a clean energy future with the 100% Bill

& Next Generation Climate Act

The 100% Clean Energy Bill requires all Minnesota electric utilities to use only carbon-free electricity by 2040. Although it passed back in January, which feels like a lifetime ago, we can’t overstate how important this legislation is for ensuring a clean, carbon-free future that will protect our land, air, water, and people for generations to come. The law also sets a requirement for utilities to procure 55% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2035.

But we can’t get there without using the best scientific standards to set our goals. The Next Generation Climate Act updates Minnesota’s climate targets to align with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Governor Walz’ Climate Action Framework to reach net zero carbon emissions economy-wide by 2050. It requires that our government’s actions are consistent with these targets, and requires annual reporting on progress toward meeting these goals. 

3. Investing in equitable infrastructure with a Green Bank

The Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority establishes a one-time $45 million state investment to create a self-sustaining lending institution. MNCIFA is a “green bank” that will offer long-term and low-interest lending rates that will help establish clean energy infrastructure in homes, schools, and businesses. Weatherization, solar panels, and heat pumps will help Minnesota meet its zero-carbon energy goals. This kind of investment in infrastructure is exactly what we need to support equitable access to clean energy. 

5. Supporting a sustainable community farm

MCEA worked quietly alongside the Hmong American Farming Association (HAFA) to cement the future of the nation’s largest Hmong-owned and operated nonprofit farming collective. The partnership between MCEA and HAFA began when a Dakota County proposal to build a new bridge and interchange could have cut the land base of the HAFA Farm by one-third. After our push for legislative action, three big wins came through for the farm. The county dropped the interchange plan and the Legislature passed a law prohibiting any government condemnation of the HAFA Farm. Additionally, $2 million in legislative funding was granted to build a box culvert under Highway 52, so farmers are able to safely cross from one side of the farm to the other. Finally, $400,000 of appropriations leftover from a previous bonding bill will help HAFA purchase more farmland. HAFA is a steward of the Vermillion River watershed and their sustainable farming practices are a vital contributor to  our local, healthy food economy. 

6. A first step in protecting Trumpeter Swans

One of the greatest threats to native North American Trumpeter Swans are lead sinkers and fishing lures. The Minnesota Swan Protection Act, a bill banning the use of these sinkers in swan nesting areas, did not pass this session, but a $1 million appropriation to help anglers “Get the Lead Out” was an incremental win. Reducing the harm of lead tackle and ammunition has been an MCEA effort at the Legislature for the past two sessions. Trumpeter Swans eat the lead when they’re foraging for food, especially during drought seasons, which we’ve seen a rise of in recent years. The Minnesota DNR attributes around 40% of Trumpeter Swan deaths to lead poisoning. Although it might seem like a narrow win, we believe all of Minnesota, including our wildlife, deserves to thrive. This appropriation is a small step toward better ensuring that for Trumpeter Swans.