At the moment, the team is enjoying the spring weather. But this being Minnesota, it’s supposed to be cold again starting tomorrow.
The Clean Air team, like everyone else, has been waiting to see bipartisanship in the legislature. And waiting. As of this writing, there’s a scary prospect: A bill has been introduced to shut down the community solar program, which would jeopardize the largest solar installation in the country. Another ramification of this and related bills is more nuclear plants.
On the positive side, there is legislation that would make permitting of new home solar panels much easier and faster. And it is getting bipartisan support. Sierra Club has been lobbying hard for this bill, which should increase the use of solar panels by accelerating the permitting process.
And more good news: South Dakota passed a law limiting eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines, which could prevent any new pipelines being built. But that raises the question: Will pipelines be constructed in Minnesota, instead?
We still await an announcement from the Minnesota Department of Commerce about the status and timing of IRA rebates. The Department has yet to announce a timeline. May we all live long lives so we’re still around when it happens.