Vice President Kamala Harris’ VP pick Tim Walz, during his tenure as governor of Minnesota, spearheaded cutting-edge clean energy policy that has garnered attention and praise. As part of a Democratic trifecta in the state house, senate, and governor’s office, Walz made significant strides in advancing sustainable energy practices.
Last year, Walz signed a groundbreaking law aimed at transitioning Minnesota to 100% clean electricity by 2040. This law, which narrowly passed the state senate, mandates utilities to shift from traditional, polluting sources of energy such as coal and natural gas to cleaner alternatives like wind, solar, battery storage, hydropower, and clean hydrogen.
Utilities operating in Minnesota are now required to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity generation by 2040, with an interim target of reaching 80% by 2030. While this ambitious goal has received support from major utility companies, they also acknowledge the challenges associated with such a rapid transition.
In a further effort to accelerate the adoption of clean energy, Walz recently signed a separate bill aimed at streamlining the permitting process for energy projects in Minnesota. This initiative is designed to facilitate the integration of more renewable energy sources into the state’s grid, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy landscape.
Despite the progress made at the state level, similar efforts to promote clean energy at the federal level have faced obstacles in Congress. The initiatives led by Governor Walz serve as a testament to the potential for impactful policy changes in the realm of clean energy and environmental sustainability.
