ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota House voted 70-60 to require utilities to be using 100% carbon-free energy sources for generating electricity by 2040. The bill moves now to the Senate. The current Minnesota clean-energy standard is 25%. The new bill allows exceptions if developing technologies prove too expensive or insufficiently reliable. The bill had solid Democratic support. Republicans objected that the requirement may mean higher energy costs and unreliable, service. They derided it as “the blackout bill.” During floor debate, Republicans tried unsuccessfully to amend the measure to cancel Minnesota’s moratorium on on new nuclear power,
Elsewhere
Twenty- one states have 100% renewable energy as a mandate or goal for “clean energy” electrical generation.