MN 48—Senator Julia Coleman (R)
Voted against a transition to 100% clean energy
Voted to strip the state’s authority to regulate clean air
Along with her caucus, forced the resignation of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner
Voted for energy efficiency
See the legislation details below.
Minnesota Senate District 48 includes Carver County communities Chanhassen, Chaska, and Waconia.
Senator Coleman voted against 100% clean energy by 2040
Since 2019, Governor Walz has advocated for a robust, clean energy transition in Minnesota, promoting legislative policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and bolster our state’s energy economy.
At the center of our clean energy transition is a proposal to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 through an emissions reduction standard for Minnesota’s public utilities. Across the country, states are fighting climate change with strong commitments to clean electricity. Minnesota is looking to follow Illinois as the second state in the Midwest to have a 100% carbon-free commitment.
In 2019 and 2021, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed 100% carbon-free electricity standards in omnibus budget bills, but this initiative continues to face opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate.
In 2022, the 100% by 2040 standards were proposed as an amendment to the Omnibus Jobs, Energy, and Commerce Bill on the Senate floor. The amendment failed 29-35 on a party-line vote, with no support from Republican senators.
Frentz A37 Amendment to SF4091, April 26, 2022.
Senator Coleman voted to remove the MPCA’s authority to regulate clean air
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is responsible for regulating clean air in Minnesota. Senator Coleman voted to take away its ability to do that.
In 2019, the MPCA began the formal rulemaking process to adopt Clean Car standards which would help Minnesota reduce emissions from vehicles—the state’s number one source of climate pollution.
On April 19th, 2021, the Senate debated SF 959, a bill that would eliminate the MPCA’s authority to establish air emission rules. An amendment was offered to restore their ability to regulate vehicle emissions and institute Clean Cars rulemaking.
The amendment failed in the Republican-controlled Senate. Despite this opposition, Clean Cars was officially adopted as a rule, resulting in car dealerships providing more electric vehicles to Minnesota consumers starting in 2024.
A54 Amendment of the SF 959, April 19, 2021.
Senator Coleman, along with her caucus, forced the resignation of MPCA Commissioner Bishop
In 2019, Governor Walz appointed Laura Bishop as Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), a state agency committed to ensuring that every Minnesotan has healthy air, sustainable lands, clean water, and a better climate.
Commissioner Bishop spearheaded the effort to implement Clean Cars. Siding with the oil industry and the Minnesota Car Dealers Association, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, made threats to fire Commissioner Bishop over her decision to reduce carbon emissions from vehicles.
Ultimately, Commissioner Bishop resigned on July 6, 2021, before the Republican-controlled Senate could fire her in retribution for Governor Walz’s and her stance on Clean Cars.
Senate Republicans previously voted to fire the Commissioners of Labor and Commerce over the governor’s use of emergency powers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the Star Tribune Editorial Board’s commentary on the “politically forced resignation.”
Commissioner Laura Bishop, photo courtesy of MPCA
Senator Coleman voted for the ECO Act
The Energy Conservation & Optimization (ECO) Act of 2021 is a bipartisan bill that builds on the state’s energy efficiency plan, the Conservation Improvement Program. The legislation increases annual energy-savings goals, allows new pathways for efficiency innovation, and raises commitments to energy conservation programs for low-income households. In doing so, the ECO Act contributes to emissions reductions, energy innovation, job creation, and consumer cost savings.
The ECO Act of 2021 was passed by both the House and the Senate and signed into law by Governor Walz.
HF 164, May 17, 2021
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