Posted
David Colburn
REGIONAL- A Republican state senator issued an ultimatum to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) last week: halt proposed new “clean car” emissions standards now or watch state parks close and millions of dollars for environmental initiatives disappear come July 1.
Speaking on May 4 to a virtual conference committee meeting of Senate and House legislators working on the omnibus environment budget, Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria, took the hardline stance against new rules that would boost the number of zero-emissions electric vehicles in the state and improve air quality standards. The budget will not move forward, Ingebrigtsen said, unless the proposed rules come off the table and the Senate’s version of the budget is agreed to.
Minnesota Moves To Mandate Electric Vehicles, NoDak to follow?
Under a new plan being put in place in Minnesota, you won t be required to purchase an electric vehicle (EV), BUT nearly 7% of all vehicles SOLD in Minnesota will need to be zero emission. This all came about after the creation of an powerful group called the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The agency is under the direction of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Like our guy, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Governor Walz has been under siege throughout the pandemic. Very few people ordering lockdowns, shutdowns, and mandating mask wearing, can capture the hearts and minds of the
Judge green-lights Minnesota clean car standard
Judge green-lights Minnesota clean car standard
Minnesota regulators can force automakers to put more electric cars and hybrids on dealership lots here, an administrative law judge ruled Friday.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota regulators can force automakers to put more electric cars and hybrids on dealership lots here, an administrative law judge ruled Friday.
Gov. Tim Walz s administration is pushing to impose the new rule for the 2025 model year to address climate change. Republicans and auto dealers fiercely oppose the change and are trying to slam the brakes using state budget negotiations.
Walz viewed Friday s decision from Jessica Palmer-Denig, the administrative law judge, as good news for our state, said Teddy Tschann, a spokesman for the governor.
Photo: Justin Sullivan (Getty Images)
In Minnesota, a fight is playing out over electric vehicles. It got so heated this week that Republican lawmakers threatened to not pass a budget that would allow parks, zoos, and museums you know, largely outdoor places people can congregate safely if not vaccinated or live their best post-pandemic lives to open this summer.
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At issue is whether Minnesota will adopt auto emissions standards based on California’s, a move already made by 15 other states. Those standards are stricter than the current federal standards. The move was first proposed by Democratic Gov. Tim Walz in 2019. Adoption of the standards would also mandate that more electric vehicles be sold in the state, all moves that would help Minnesota meet its climate goal of reducing emissions 80% by 2050.