Legislators are pressing for more funding at the State Capitol to combat climate change because of the wildfire smoke that engulfed Twin Cities’ skies, and the December tornadoes in southern Minnesota.
“In the past, climate change was something we talked about as a future possibility. We’re seeing it affect our lives today,” said Rep. Patty Acomb DFL-Minnetonka who leads the House Climate Action Caucus. “The window to act is closing, if we want to prevent the worst climate change impacts.”
With only a few weeks remaining in the legislative session, there is still a gap between the plans of Senate Republicans and House Democrats to address climate change and protect the environment. Recent debates highlight this deep political divide. The House passed a $240million package to protect the environment and natural resource, while the Senate bill had less than $8million. The Senate version does not include several climate-related measures that were included in other House bills.
According to Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria), chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee, the state spent more money on the environment last year than it usually does. He stated that since this is not a budgeting fiscal year at Capitol, it is unfortunate that some lawmakers want Minnesota’s projected surplus to expand state government.
“Everyone believes that the world is collapsing in, but it’s not,” Ingebrigtsen said. We have scientists on both sides, and I understand that, and I appreciate it,” Ingebrigtsen stated on the Senate floor. Later, he added, “I know that the globe is warming, folks. It has been warming for thousands upon thousands of years. Nothing remarkable, but a thousand.
His comments are coming as a new S&P Global study estimates that climate change will cause a 4% global economic output loss by 2050. This is disproportionately damaging poorer countries.
Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) said that some Republican colleagues mocked him for his comments on the urgent need for climate action. They were sitting in the Senate’s retiring room, where he said that the atmosphere is usually collegial.
Dibble stated, “They think people like mine are running around being hysterical or irrational.” “It’s discouraging. It’s discouraging.
Dibble said that the Senate’s environment bill is “a house of horrors”. He unsuccessfully tried to remove about 15 provisions from this measure that he claimed would make it easier for people polluting.
Breezy Point Republican Sen. Carrie Ruud is chair of one of two Senate environment committees. She also criticized the bill and said it “contains none” of the things she worked on all session. These included reducing the statewide walleye limit from four to one, preventing overuse, increasing watercraft education requirements, and reducing the statewide statewide walleye limit from four.
Ruud stated that $1 million was designated to “attract large-scale sporting and/or other events” out of the estimated $8 million in this bill. This is the latest example where legislators are taking away lottery dollars that voters intended to support fish and wildlife, parks and trails. Ruud said that this was the latest example of legislators taking away lottery dollars voters intended for these purposes. She also stated, “They didn’t vote to use this money to fund sporting events.” This is a sad day in Minnesota, I think.
On Thursday, House Republicans had harsh words to say about the DFL version.
“This bill is good for government. It grows DNR, MPCA and unfortunately at a time when agriculture faces such challenges,” said Rep. Jeff Backer (R-Browns Valley). “We don’t need these reckless and irresponsible regulations for the people who provide food and raw materials to make many of the things we use every day.
Small groups of negotiators are expected to attempt to resolve the large differences between Senate and House bills.
Aaron Klemz, Chief Strategy Officer of Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, stated that it will not be easy to find common ground. However he is hopeful that bipartisan agreement will be reached on some issues. While the policy approaches to White Bear Lake water use are different, Klemz said that they seem to be in agreement on some spending to meet the north metropolitan’s water needs.
Klemz stated that there is at least recognition that there is a problem and that there must be a permanent solution. “And so, we’re hopeful that some money will be set aside for a taskforce or other decisions.”
State leaders decided last year to eliminate “forever chemicals” (PFAS) in food packaging by 2024. While the Senate has already banned PFAS from cookware, the House has proposed banning them in other products. Klemz said they could still agree to bans this session. Klemz indicated that while Ruud did not mention support smart salting training to reduce the use of deicers that can cause chloride buildup to Minnesota waters, it is in both the Senate and House environment bills.
Acomb stated that while the House environment bill contains “natural solutions to climate problems” such as planting trees and energy, there are also climate-related provisions within bills on transportation, energy, education, and other areas. The $1 billion Climate Action Plan was the centerpiece of the Democrats’ session. Acomb estimates that the House bills have so far collected $650 million, but she said that there will be more money in an infrastructure package that is still being completed. She also wants to provide matching funding to federal infrastructure dollars for projects such electric vehicle charging stations.
Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis), Chairman of House Climate and Energy Committee, echoed this idea and said that he is hopeful that legislators will adopt clean energy measures. He stated that the state has supported solar projects at schools in the past and that they could continue to do so. He also said that they could put more money towards weatherization grants to make homes less energy-intensive as cooling and heating costs rise.
Tuesday’s energy legislation was passed by the Senate. It included millions for the Solar for Schools initiative as well as a Blaine solar array. It would also repeal the moratorium against new nuclear power plants. A DFL effort to include the goal of 100% clean energy by 2040 was rejected by Senators.
R-Rochester’s David Senjem, Chairman of the Energy Committee, stated that while the idea requires discussion, it is “very, very aspirational.” While it is good to have aspirations and goals, I believe we need to be real.
Gov. Governor Tim Walz has also advocated for the 2040 goal. His infrastructure plan for this year includes $944 million for climate projects. During his State of the State speech last Saturday, the DFL governor stressed the importance of not adopting ideological positions on climate change.
Walz stated that “it is happening” and that there are solutions. He also noted that businesses are adapting to be more sustainable and help the environment. “This is Minnesota we need. Protect our clean air and water, and protect our children’s opportunity to live the life that many of us have lived.
