Gov. Walz could sign 2040 carbon-free electric legislation tomorrow

Governor Tim Walz could sign a bill as soon as tomorrow (Tues) that requires 100 percent of Minnesota’s electricity come from carbon-free sources by 2040, (meaning Xcel Energy and Minnesota Power would have to drop coal and natural gas 10 years earlier than planned.) North Mankato Democratic Senator Nick Frentz says:

“We have not dealt with climate change effectively as a state and as a country and as a planet, frankly, and the things that they told us were gonna happen 30 years ago are happening right now.”

Republicans warn of skyrocketing electricity prices and “rolling blackouts” if technology can’t deliver when needed — and they say additional nuclear must be in the mix.  Prior Lake Senator Eric Pratt:

“Shouldn’t we be looking at every available technology?  And if the true goal of this bill is to have carbon-free energy, should we be looking at every possible source of carbon-free energy?”

Democrats say there’s still no national storage site for spent nuclear fuel, and radioactive waste continues accumulating at Prairie Island and Monticello.