Promoting a Clean Energy Future

Increasing renewable energy sources, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and promoting energy conservation improve air quality, save consumers money, create jobs, and spur local economic development.  With leadership from the League, Minnesota has become a regional and national leader on clean energy policies.  However, many of these policies, including those that promote wind energy and energy conservation initiatives that benefit homeowners and small businesses, are at risk of being weakened or repealed altogether.  The League will actively defend Minnesota’s progressive energy policies, including its renewable energy standard, energy efficiency goals, and restrictions on expansion of new coal power plants. 

In addition to supporting development of renewable energy resources, the League is also advancing work in the mid-west to phase out the region’s oldest, dirtiest, and least efficient coal power plants.  Many coal plants across the nation and in Minnesota are old and rapidly becoming outdated.  Often built before modern pollution controls were required, older coal plants pose much greater threats to public health and air and water quality because they emit more pollution.  These older plants are exempt from more protective air emissions standards required of modern plants.  

In December 2011, the U.S. EPA issued new standards that will finally require older coal plants to install technologies that will cut pollution levels and reduce harm to human health and the environment.  However, the price tag to bring just one older coal plant into compliance with modern environmental standards can add up to hundreds of millions of dollars.  For many of the oldest power plants, the cost of clean up will far exceed the benefit of continued operations.  In other words, it makes better economic sense for utilities – and ratepayers – to shutter antiquated plants and invest in modern, clean generation alternatives, including generation from natural gas and renewable sources, and to reduce demand for electricity by improving energy efficiency.  In 2012, the League will issue a report examining the economics of baseload power, which historically relied on large coal and other power plants. The concept of baseload power has changed dramatically as the nation’s power grid has become increasingly integrated and new sources of reliable, renewable power have come on-line. In addition, we will be fully engaged in multiple utility regulatory proceedings to advocate for the transition away from coal to cleaner generation and energy efficiency.

Learn more about the League's Energy Program.

Return to Conservation Policy Priorities 2012.