All posts by Matt Doll

Harris-Walz: The heroes we need for a clean energy economy

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This post is part one of a weekly series on the environmental stakes of the 2024 Presidential Election by DFLEC Vice Chair Matt Doll. If you have a friend or relative who supports environmental protection but is on the fence about their presidential vote, you might find this series useful for info or inspiration!

On August 7, 2022, Kamala Harris took perhaps the most important action any Vice President has ever taken in history, a procedural vote that made history for our nation and our planet. On that day, after nearly 16 hours of debate, Harris cast the tie-breaking vote in an evenly-divided Senate to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, the greatest climate action law in U.S. history. The $891 billion Act has unleashed massive investments in affordable clean energy, sustainable buildings, and resiliency across the nation.

Few laws in our history have been as positive as the IRA for our public health, our economy, and our national security. Clean electricity isn’t a pipe dream – wind, solar, geothermal, and energy storage are cheap, reliable, widely available, and advancing all the time, helping to liberate states and communities from the need to burn poisonous, costly fossil fuels.

The IRA is helping to unleash clean sources on a tremendous scale, and future generations will thank us for it. But it’s only the beginning, not the end, of our efforts to fight climate change and build a sustainable economy.

There is no better team than Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to carry the work forward.

Kamala Harris didn’t merely vote for a good policy. She led the pack on clean energy advocacy in the Senate, sponsoring the Climate Risk Disclosure Act, which focused on market-based solutions to climate change, and the Climate Equity Act, which promoted a fully effective clean energy transition for the U.S. economy. During her first Presidential campaign, Harris unveiled a plan to convert America’s electrical grid to carbon-free sources by 2030, a goal that is both achievable and highly beneficial for our climate.

As Vice President, Harris has traveled the country listening to ordinary Americans about their needs for clean energy and good jobs. She’s shaped the policy of the Biden Administration for the better, securing investments to help families access cheaper power and help workers get good union jobs in the rapidly growing clean energy industry.

Plenty of politicians say they care about about cleaner energy, but very few have shown as much intelligence, courage, and foresight on this issue as Kamala Harris. She doesn’t just talk the talk – she walks the walk. She’ll not only continue the Biden Administration’s sensible energy work, but expand them.  

Tim Walz has likewise built a strong record as a clean energy hawk. Under his tenure, Minnesota set a standard of 100% clean electricity by 2040, created a state green bank for clean energy projects, and has made tremendous investments in wind, solar, and geothermal power. Minnesota Democrats achieved these wins with only a one-seat majority in the State Senate, because they and Governor Walz understood that climate action can’t wait – and because they listened to the voices of ordinary Minnesotans who called for action.

Not for no reason is the Harris-Walz ticket endorsed by leading climate organizations including 350 Action and the Sierra Club. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz understand that our country and our planet need us to act urgently now, and that it will benefit our economy to do so. None of what they’re proposing on energy is radical – it’s simply necessary to protect our future.

I won’t waste many words on Harris’s opponent, who is either deceptive or stupid enough to claim that climate change is a hoax or that wind turbines cause cancer. But the contrast is clear: his return to the White House would spell dark days for our planet and catastrophe for our health and the competitiveness of our economy.

There is only one team on the ballot with the record, experience, and vision to advance an energy future that works for all Americans and protects our planet, and that’s Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

Learn how to get involved with the Harris-Walz campaign at https://kamalaharris.com/

Matt Doll works in environmental advocacy and has served on the board of the DFL Environmental Caucus since 2019. He lives in Saint Paul.

DFL Environmental Caucus urges pro-climate rollout of 100% energy law

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The DFL Environmental Caucus echoes calls from climate and environmental justice organizations for the Public Utilities Commission to ensure Minnesota’s 100% Clean Energy Law remains focused on real climate solutions, not false promises.

The 100% law was the crowning climate achievement of the historic 2023 legislative session. Legislators intended for it to bolster proven carbon-free technologies like wind, solar, and energy storage. These energy sources are cheaper than ever and are rapidly increasing their share of Minnesota’s power supply.

Industry groups, however, are asking the PUC to adopt an all-of-the-above approach that would treat carbon-intensive and polluting technologies including waste incineration, wood burning, carbon pipelines, and potentially dirty hydrogen as “carbon-free,” a violation of both the spirit and the letter of the law.

“The PUC should follow the science on what carbon-free actually means,” said Megan Bond, an attorney who is chair of the DFL Environmental Caucus. “It doesn’t mean business as usual, and it doesn’t mean an approach that will continue polluting in Minnesota’s most vulnerable communities. 100% carbon-free means 100% carbon-free.”

Our heartfelt appreciation to President Biden

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The DFL Environmental Caucus expresses our heartfelt appreciation to President Biden for his outstanding achievements as President, his decades of public service, and his wise and selfless decision to put our country first and help defeat MAGA extremism by passing the torch of leadership to a new candidate.

The Biden-Harris Administration has made history for our climate and environment. This administration passed the most powerful single climate action in history with the Inflation Reduction Act. Likewise, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law made tremendous investments in clean energy, clean water, and other critical areas.

Here in Minnesota, we’ve counted the Biden-Harris Administration as a tremendous partner in our efforts for environmental protection. We applaud their actions on protecting our public lands, providing safe drinking water to Minnesotans, and supporting carbon-free transportation. We deeply appreciate their steps to undo the grievous environmental harms committed by the Trump Administration.

The DFL Environmental Caucus is laser-focused on electing our next Democratic President and DFLers up and down our state ballot this fall. Minnesotans care deeply about the future of our climate, our lands, and our waters, and we are confident that they will reward the Democratic nominee for the enormous environmental victories of the Biden-Harris Administration.

DFL State Convention 2024: Pro-Environment Resolutions

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The DFL Environmental Caucus encourages delegates to support the following resolutions that will move Minnesota forward on climate action, clean water, healthy communities, wildlife protection, and other areas of environmental progress. 

Underlined resolutions are those put forward by the DFLEC this year. Other resolutions were put forward by different groups but have our support

10.  Regional Food Systems

Supports the development of regional food systems that provide nourishing foods, investments in small business development, food processing infrastructure such as small- scale meat processing, and marketing of goods and specialty crops that have environmental and economic benefits.

11. Regenerative Agricultural Support

Supports direct financial support to farmers, research, technical assistance and education to rapidly implement a regenerative food and farming system that fosters successful small and mid sized farms and rural and urban communities. This includes establishing perennial crops, rotational grazing and small scale livestock systems, cover crops, and no-till farming.

12.  CO2 Pipeline Ban

Opposes CO2 pipeline construction and operation in rural Minnesota.

13.  Source Separated Organics

Supports the development of community based “source-separated organics” (SSO) waste programs to allow diversion of organic wastes from landfills toward productive uses and to conserve landfill space.

14. Soil Health

Supports establishing and fully investing in a comprehensive soil health program that provides accessible grants and direct payments to farmers to implement and sustain soil- healthy practices, and that provides education, technical assistance, and research.

16. Nitrate Contamination in Groundwater

Supports the revision of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) feedlot rules to address nitrate contamination in groundwater, caused by poor animal management practices contributing to unsafe water quality in greater Minnesota. We support holding large-scale livestock operations accountable for pollution’s cost to the environment and communities.

 17. Pollinator Habitat Protection

Supports comprehensive measures to safeguard pollinators such as the implementation of pollinator-friendly agricultural practices, recognizing the vital role these species play in crop pollination and sustaining our food supply and ecosystem health.

20. Green New Deal

Supports a Green New Deal to rapidly cut greenhouse gas emissions and provide an equitable energy future, renewable electricity, affordable housing, multi-modal transportation options, and clean energy jobs.

21. No Lead in Drinking Water

Supports ensuring safe drinking water in all Minnesota homes by mapping and replacing all lead water pipes by 2033.

23. Energy Infrastructure

Supports policies for all housing initiatives to utilize more efficient mechanical building systems, intelligent sensors for lighting and climate control, low-flow plumbing fixtures, heat pumps, and solar arrays.

24. Job Training Clean Energy

Supports the development and implementation of clean energy job training, mentorship, and job placement programs for people with limited resources.

25. Automated Solar Permitting Process (APP+)

Urges the MN Legislature to pass the Solar APP+ (Automated Permitting Process) bill to provide financial incentives for cities that want to expand solar by improving permitting using Solar APP+.

27. Utility Accountability
Supports legislation, like the Utility Accountability Bill, to increase transparency in the private management of public infrastructure, and to prohibit the use of customer funds, directly or indirectly, for political influence campaigns.

28. Reduce or Eliminate Use of Unsafe Neonicotinoid Pesticides
Supports policies to reduce or eliminate the use of unsafe pesticides (e.g., glyphosate, neonicotinoids, chlorpyrifos) in agriculture and recreational land or lawns; require businesses selling plants disclose if their plants have been treated with neonicotinoids; and urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to prohibit neonicotinoid use.

29. Ban Toxic and Carcinogenic Substances

Supports banning toxic and known carcinogens (cancer causing), endocrine disrupting and neuro-toxicants in consumer goods beginning on January 1, 2026.

30. Oppose Efforts to Weaken or Circumvent Environmental Laws

Opposes any effort to weaken or circumvent or evade state or federal environmental laws or protections involving administrative procedures and permitting regarding environmental regulation and support protections.

31. Extend Producer Responsibility, Reduce and Prohibit Plastics in Packaging

Supports extended producer responsibility for plastic, requiring producers to collect 70% of the plastic packaging they generate within five years, and reduce the plastic packaging they produce by 50% within ten years. Prohibit all toxic substances and materials in plastic packaging, and ban or significantly reduce single-use plastics.

32. Conserve, Manage and Protect Aquifers

Supports new groundwater laws, regional management, and state oversight of aquifers to assure that conservation measures are followed, surface waters are protected, and future demand does not exceed the aquifer’s capacity for recharge amid climate change and regional population growth.

33.  Prohibit Lead Ammunition and Fishing Tackle

Supports the prohibition of lead ammunition and fishing tackle. 

34. Accelerate Protection and Restoration of Forests, Prairies and Wetlands
Supports accelerated action to protect, restore, and improve management of forests, prairies, and wetlands to fight climate change and preserve natural places for people and wildlife.

35. Protect Public Land from Offroad Vehicles/ATV Impacts
Supports protecting and preserving habitat and waters on public lands from off road/all terrain vehicle (ATV) impacts, with adequate buffer zones, environmental assessments, and limiting access to signed trails only.

36. Copper Nickel Sulfide Mining
Supports the Minnesota Legislature holding hearings on the proposed Prove It First legislation, and supports withholding all permits for copper nickel sulfide mines in Minnesota until it can first be proven that such mines can be operated safely in our water rich environment and not violate state, federal, and tribal water quality standards.

40. Sustainable Transportation
Supports development of sustainable transportation in all areas of the state, including safe pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, mass transit improvements, streetcars, commuter rail, light rail, buses, charging stations for electric vehicles, and reduction of air travel emissions.

41. Metro Mobility

Supports expanding access to affordable, convenient public transportation, including Metro Mobility. 

42. Safe Water Quality

Supports policies that ensure access to clean and accessible drinking water for all Minnesotans.

43. E-Waste

Supports providing free collection of electronic waste for all Minnesotans to increase the electronic waste recycling rate, conserve precious metals, and keep these materials out of traditional waste disposal streams.

44. Right to Repair Laws

Supports right-to-repair laws that protect the ability of consumers and third parties to repair consumer electronics and agricultural equipment.

44. Recycling Container Deposit

Supports legislation that requires beverage producers to include a deposit amount on all containers that is charged at the time of purchase and refunded upon return. Additionally, returned containers must be reused, or recycled, and beverage producers must fund take-back depots and other infrastructure to collect, recycle, or reuse beverage containers.

54. Calculate Climate Impact

Supports legislation mandating the calculation of net climate impacts including external and social costs of carbon emissions. This would result in denying funding or permits for high-impact projects and incentivize those with significantly reduced carbon footprints.

55. Declare Climate Emergency

Supports declaring a climate change emergency, and support a vigorous, multi-pronged approach including energy conservation, air pollution controls, building resilience, and promotion of clean resources.

56. Moratorium on Fossil Fuel Infrastructure

Supports both prohibiting the future development of fossil fuel infrastructure that significantly increases net greenhouse gas emissions, and transitioning us from existing fossil-fuel uses as quickly as possible.

57. State Board of Investment-Wide Range of Risks

Supports legislation that authorizes the MN State Board of Investment to include social, climate, fossil fuel holdings, and other environmental risks, when making investment decisions for Minnesota’s civil servants and educators.

61. Pollution Control Agency Citizens Board

Supports the re-establishment of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Citizens’ Board to its full capacity and authority so that Minnesotans are represented in major environmental decision making.

83.  Manoomin/Psíŋ Rights, (wild rice)

Recognizes that Manoomin/Psiŋ (wild rice) is sacred and central to the culture and health of indigenous peoples in Minnesota and critical to the health and identity of all Minnesota citizens and ecosystems, and that it deserves protections from climate change, invasive species, pollution, and destructive development.

104. Indigenous Treaty Rights

Supports the state of Minnesota upholding all of our treaties with Indigenous Minnesota tribes, including those involving manoomin (wild rice). These treaties are defined as the “supreme law of the land” under the U.S. Constitution. Failure to uphold treaties is considered a violation of human rights under international law.

US Army Corps Pulls Dangerous Copper Nickel Mining Permit

Environmental Issues, Sulfide Mining

The DFL Environmental Caucus applauds the U.S. Army Corps decision Tuesday to revoke the 404 wetlands permit for the NorthMet (formerly PolyMet) copper nickel mine project. The Army Corps rightly agreed with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa that this already-suspended permit would violate the Band’s water quality standards, threatening the tribal community and others downstream.

The type of sulfide-ore mining that NorthMet would conduct is new to Minnesota, but has a long history of environmental destruction in other states. This ruling supports the claim that this new type of mining cannot currently be safely done in a water rich environment – a major reason that our caucus supports a “Prove it first” approach to copper nickel sulfide mining.

This mine and its toxic waste would threaten the St. Louis River watershed and downstream communities including Fond du Lac and the Twin Ports. The destruction of wetlands that the revoked permit would have allowed would be a climate disaster, reducing Minnesota’s capacity to naturally absorb carbon.

Our DFL platform states that Minnesota should: “Recognize, protect and conserve clean water as a shared resource held in public trust for the health, safety and benefit of the public,” and support “Native American tribes’ rights to self-government.” This decision aligns with those values. As DFLers, we cannot accept the sacrifice of our remaining clean water – already threatened by climate change, PFAS, and other pollution – for this unproven project. Nor can we stand for the violation of tribal sovereignty that would occur if this mine harmed Fond du Lac’s resources.

We thank the Fond du Lac Band for their successful stand against this permit. And we thank all the organizations, scientists, and tens of thousands of ordinary Minnesotans who have fought tirelessly on this issue for clean water and environmental justice.