Organizing for an equitable and renewable energy future in Northeast Minnesota
Thanks to the leadership of volunteers and community partners, our movement has collectively submitted over 1,500 public comments to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to urge Minnesota Power to participate in the necessary transition to clean, equitable energy in the Northland through their long-term energy resource plans.
Over the past two years, we have sent hundreds of powerful, personal messages to the PUC – including comments from community groups and leaders, tribal governments and public officials, locally owned businesses, teachers, healthcare workers, parents and grandparents, and so many others from across the region. In addition to public comments, our coalition of Clean Energy Organizations submitted formal technical comments that show how Minnesota Power can meet our region’s energy needs with clean, renewable energy.
Our public pressure made a difference. Your activism and support made a difference.
On Thursday, November 10th, the Public Utility Commission approved a long-term energy plan for Minnesota Power. This plan reflects years of hard, collaborative work among clean energy allies, community partners, and Minnesotans. The plan also reflects an exciting agreement reached between Minnesota Power and multiple parties including Sierra Club’s Clean Energy Organizations coalition, labor unions, industrial customers, and the Boswell coal plant host communities to more quickly transition towards a reliable and cleaner electric system that works for everyone.
Here are the highlights:
- More renewables! Minnesota Power will acquire up to 400 MW of wind, 300 MW of solar and 500 MW of storage by 2026. These additions of renewables and storage will help bring the utility from 50% to 70% carbon-free energy by 2030.
- Saying ‘so long!’ to coal. Minnesota Power will cease coal operations at the Boswell coal unit 3 in 2029 and begin thoughtful planning for the retirement of unit 4 as early as 2030. About a decade ago, Minnesota Power's generation was 95% coal. We've made a lot of progress.
- Fossil gas? Not quite. Minnesota Power has been ordered to analyze whether or not their proposed gas plant, NTEC, is in the public and ratepayer interest as part of the next long-term energy plan or sooner. This decision to delay determinations on any new gas strengthens our case that NTEC is risky for communities, customers and the climate.
- Community input, please! Minnesota Power must conduct further cost-benefit analysis and stakeholder engagement on the polluting Hibbard biomass plant in West Duluth before or in the next planning process. The utility will consult low-income ratepayers and BIPOC communities.
- Climate action. Minnesota Power needs to analyze near-term steps related to local and state clean energy goals such as the city of Duluth’s Climate Action Plan and the state’s Climate Action Framework.
- Equity in energy. Minnesota Power has been ordered to explore how distributed solar might fit in their next plan. Because everyone deserves access to the benefits of clean energy!
This decision is an exciting step towards building a cleaner energy system in our corner of the world. We are grateful to our partners, community leaders and Minnesotans across the Northland. Together, we’re building a powerful movement and creating positive change for the sake of our communities and home, now and for the future.
Stay tuned for an invitation to join our informational webinar about what this means for Minnesotans and local, in-person gatherings to celebrate our wins!
Want to join this important work? Connect with Jenna, our Duluth organizer, at jenna.yeakle@sierraclub.org.
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Jenna Yeakle is a Duluth based-organizer with the Sierra Club. Outside of work, Jenna is a community gardener and food justice activist; a bike commuter and avid reader.