During his two terms as Minnesota governor, Tim Waltz has quietly become one of the nation's most vocal advocates on climate change. Recently chosen by Vice President Kamala Harris as his running mate, Waltz has focused on the climate threats facing his state, implementing ambitious policies to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
In 2023, Waltz signed legislation requiring Minnesota utilities to get 100% of their electricity from carbon-free sources by 2040. This law, passed during a parliamentary session filled with nearly 40 other climate initiatives, aims to eliminate climate pollution from coal and gas-fired power plants. To speed up that transition, Waltz also signed a bill in June to streamline permitting for renewable energy projects.
"By signing this bill, we're protecting our environment and starting clean energy projects to fight climate change," Walz said in June after the devastating flooding in Minnesota.
More than half of US states have laws requiring utilities to transition to clean energy, but few have set the pace as fast as Minnesota. The law allows Minnesota to move toward clean energy faster than even California, a longtime state leader in climate action.
Bill Holland, state policy director for the League of Conservation Voters, praised Walz's leadership: “We couldn't be more excited about Governor Walz's leadership on climate issues. Now he has made it the center of his administration.”
However, Waltz's climate action has faced opposition from neighboring North Dakota, which is heavily dependent on coal and a major gas producer. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who advises Donald J. Trump on energy policy, says Minnesota's new law is unconstitutional. He argues that the law's ban on selling out-of-state coal or gas-fired electricity to Minnesota customers violates states' rights.
In June, the North Dakota Industrial Commission filed formal comments with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, calling the law "constitutionally suspect." A spokeswoman for the Walz administration deferred questions to the commission, which did not respond by noon Monday.
Before his governorship, Walz served six terms in Congress, where he was known for his support of the Democratic Party's environmental policies, but not as a vocal campaigner on climate change. That began to change when Minnesota experienced extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, such as severe droughts, wildfires and economic losses from reduced winter sports.
In 2019, Waltz created a climate sub-cabinet and an advisory board. In 2022, he unveiled a climate plan to increase sales of electric cars and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.
Walz's action represents a significant shift toward addressing climate change at the state level, providing a model for future legislation both in Minnesota and nationally.
Additional source:
The New York Times - Governor Walz's Efforts on Climate Change
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