May 14, 2020 Energy News Network Frank Jossi A bipartisan bill in Minnesota would reward utilities for encouraging customers to switch to less carbon-intensive fuels for heating, cooling and transportation. The Energy Conservation and Optimization Act updates the state’s Conservation Improvement Program, which state officials say has provided $6 billion in benefits and created 46,000 jobs. The…
24Apr
Updates to Minnesota’s energy conservation policy advance at the legislature
Published April 24, 2020 A bill to update the state’s Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) law was passed by the energy committees in both the Minnesota House and Senate yesterday. The product of more than a year of work, the Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) Act is advancing with bipartisan support, carried by Representative Zack Stephenson…
13Mar
Minnesota clean energy legislation has one more obstacle this year with coronavirus
March 13, 2020 Star Tribune Mike Hughlett The Republicans and DFL plans are far apart, but there is more of a desire to reach an agreement this year. Minnesota lawmakers are once again jockeying to craft new clean energy legislation. And while they seem to be trying harder to reach an agreement this year, it’s…
02Mar
Update from the Minnesota legislature
Published March 2, 2020 Good morning from St. Paul! The legislature has been in session for two and a half busy weeks, and here is an update on some important energy issues that we are tracking so far. Energy conservation opportunities for rural Minnesotans CUB is advocating for a conservation program that will ensure that…
10Feb
CUB seeks to equalize conservation opportunities for rural Minnesotans at state legislature
Published February 10, 2020 For decades, Minnesota utilities have been required by law to help their customers save energy through the Conservation Improvement Program. Utilities offer rebates on efficient appliances, discounted home energy audits, and more to help people and businesses lower their energy bills. Consumers’ conservation, in turn, saves money for everyone. It reduces…
16Jan
CUB working toward Senate bill to advance clean energy, protect consumers
January 16, 2020 Yesterday, the Minnesota Senate energy committee met in Rochester to discuss a new draft of the Clean Energy First bill, carried by Senator David Senjem. As the name suggests, the bill would require utilities to use clean sources of electricity unless they demonstrate that to do so would increase costs of make…
28May
Final 2019 legislative report: Little action on energy policy
As you have no doubt seen by now, a rushed end to the 2019 Minnesota legislature left a lot on the table. Energy policy was no exception. In the end, the legislature passed an extremely pared-down energy policy package. Gone were bills to increase clean energy, revamp utility conservation programs, promote electric vehicles, and much…
06May
Legislative update: What we’re watching in the final two weeks
The Minnesota House and Senate have passed their major energy packages, and negotiations are beginning on these and all areas of spending and policy. The legislature is set to adjourn on May 20, and, as usual, the majority of bills will be settled during the final weeks or days of session. Most energy provisions are…
19Apr
Do you support clean energy? Let your legislators know.
Here at CUB, we talk with people every week about the energy they use at home. From one corner of the state to the other, people’s goals are the same: cheaper and cleaner. We all want to save money and reduce our impact on the environment. Fortunately, clean energy is also the most cost-effective choice. Unfortunately,…
01Apr
CUB advances bill to unleash energy data in the consumer interest
You’ve probably seen news coverage of many of the energy-related bills being discussed at the Minnesota legislature so far this year. I want to let you know about one important bill for energy consumers that hasn’t received as much attention. CUB is working with Representative Jamie Long and Senator David Senjem, lead authors on legislation…