Clean Energy Permitting Reform Passes in the Minnesota Legislature
Reforms Show Minnesota is Committed to being a Clean Energy Leader in the Midwest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ST. PAUL, MINN. (May 20, 2024) - Yesterday, the Minnesota legislature passed the Minnesota Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act (SF 4784/HF 4700). This legislation is a robust package of reforms that will reduce permitting wait times for wind, solar, battery storage and transmission line projects and will provide an easier, more consistent and predictable process that will help establish a stable business environment for clean energy development in Minnesota.
"This legislation represents nearly a decade of hard work building partnerships with key groups and connecting the dots on why siting and permitting reform is pivotal to the success of Minnesota's clean energy goals," said Beth Soholt, Executive Director, Clean Grid Alliance (CGA). "Siting and permitting is among the largest roadblocks to deploying renewable projects across the Midwest, and the reforms in this package ensure Minnesota's policies demonstrate the state is committed to meeting the clean energy transition.
The Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act is the culmination of months of work this year and represents a comprehensive package of reforms developed by participants of the Public Utilities Commission Permitting Reform Stakeholder Group, which held several work group meetings last year to address this issue. "The collaboration of the permitting reform stakeholder group that generated the ideas in the legislation was an unprecedented and cross-cutting effort," said CGA Regional Policy Director, Peder Mewis. "Passage of the permitting reform act helps bolster Minnesota's national standing in renewable energy development. We thank Sen. Frentz, Rep. Acomb and Rep. Long for their leadership and perseverance in advancing these policies. We look forward to Governor Walz signing this important legislation into law."
"CGA and the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) have been united on permitting reform for many years. CGA believes that partnerships truly build power, and I could not be happier with this outcome and for our unwavering partnership," Mewis added.
"This is great news. Renewable energy standards and carbon free goals can be important investment drivers. But without an efficient and cost-effective permitting process to go along with it, Minnesota is leaving affordable power, jobs and business opportunities on the table," said Kevin Pranis, Marketing Manager, Laborers International Union of North America for MN and ND. "Skilled Laborers are ready to get to work so Minnesota can achieve our clean energy goals."
###
Clean Grid Alliance (CGA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minn., whose mission is to advance renewable energy in the Midwest. Launched in 2001, CGA has been an active stakeholder in the MISO process at the state and regional levels and a leading organization working on transforming state energy policy. CGA's membership includes industry representatives working in wind, solar and storage as well as environmental nonprofit organizations, public interest groups, clean energy advocates, farm groups, and businesses providing goods and services to the renewable energy industry who come together to reduce carbon and deliver a renewable energy future. Learn more at cleangridalliance.org.
Contact:
Kelley Welf
Communications Director
kwelf@cleangridalliance.org
612-978-2444
