by Marya Hart
Campaign teams advocate for legislative change on environmental issues.
Zero Waste Task Force
The Zero Waste Task Force is supporting the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, which would phase out unnecessary single-use plastic, put a moratorium on petrochemical plant expansion, hold corporations accountable for the pollution they produce, and fix our broken recycling system. They are also working on ideas to contribute to the Beyond the Bag challenge, which aims to identify new design solutions that serve the function of today’s single-use plastic retail bag, delivering convenience for consumers while lessening the impact on the environment.
Clean Energy
The Clean Energy team is keeping a close eye on a potential program that would provide “inclusive financing” for home energy efficiency in Minnesota. Low- and middle-income households could borrow up to $5,000 for energy-efficiency improvements. Borrowers would not undergo credit checks, and loans would be repaid through their monthly utility bills.
As always, the team is closely monitoring the progress of Xcel’s Integrated Resource Plan. Sierra Club is coordinating comments to the Public Utilities Commission to urge that Xcel invest in clean energy, not fracked gas. So far 4,000 comments have been submitted, toward a goal of 10,000. To comment on the plan, follow this link.
Land Use and Transportation
After many months of staying at home, the Land Use and Transportation team has taken to dreaming of trips to take once we can travel again: everywhere from the jungles of Borneo to a city with a really nice transit system. The team is working diligently so that one day, the Twin Cities can be a shining example of the latter. While, sadly, the proposed route for a Blue Line light rail transit (LRT) extension was rejected, the Southwest LRT project advanced to Congressional review for federal funding. As the Department of Transportation makes plans to reconstruct I-94, the team is working with community leaders along the corridor to rethink I-94, focusing on combating lane extensions and adding transit access, bike connections, and plentiful crossings to reconnect neighborhoods.
The team was joined in their August meeting by Elissa Schufman from the Minneapolis Bicycle Advisory Committee, who spoke about enforcement in transportation from an abolitionist perspective. This approach focuses on repairing oppressive systems and changing dangerous conditions in the built environment to bring about safety and justice. As we continue to have conversations about the role of law enforcement in transportation, LUT is keeping racial equity, mobility, and safety at top of mind.