HF4411 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
100 percent carbon free by 2040 standard repealed.
Related bill: SF4463
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- To remove the state-mandated target for carbon-free electricity by certain years. The bill repeals the current requirement that electric utilities generate or procure a growing share of carbon-free energy for Minnesota customers.
Main Provisions
- Repeal: Section 1 repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 216B.1691 subdivision 2g (the carbon-free standard).
- What 2g required before: The former carbon-free standard said electric utilities must generate or procure electricity from carbon-free energy technologies so that, by year end, the share of carbon-free electricity of total retail electric sales would be:
- 2030: 80% for public utilities; 60% for other electric utilities
- 2035: 90% for all electric utilities
- 2040: 100% for all electric utilities
- Effect of repeal: Those targets and the requirement to meet them are removed. The bill does not change other energy objectives that may exist in related statutes (subdivisions 2a and 2f), but the explicit carbon-free targets in subdivision 2g are eliminated.
What Changes in Law
- Removes the explicit carbon-free energy targets and the obligation to reach 80/60% by 2030, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040.
- Leaves other provisions related to renewable energy objectives in subdivisions 2a and 2f potentially unaffected, but the primary carbon-free mandate is eliminated.
Potential Effects (Summary)
- Utilities are no longer statutorily required to reach specific carbon-free percentages by 2030, 2035, or 2040.
- The state’s formal decarbonization timeline for electricity generation would be less prescriptive in law, potentially affecting planning and investments in carbon-free or low-carbon energy.
- The change could shift how Minnesota utilities prioritize different energy resources, though other laws and market factors may continue to influence decisions.
Relevant Terms - carbon-free standard - carbonfree energy technology - electric utility - retail customers - total retail electric sales - public utilities - other electric utilities - 2030/2035/2040 targets - Minnesota Statutes 216B.1691 subdivision 2g - repeal / repealer - renewable energy objectives - energy policy (Minnesota)
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 16, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Energy Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [
"Repeals the carbon-free standard established in Subd. 2g of 216B.1691, effectively removing the 2030, 2035, and 2040 carbon-free targets."
],
"summary": "This bill repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 216B.1691, subdivision 2g, which established the carbon-free energy standard requiring utilities to procure carbon-free energy to meet certain percentages by 2030, 2035, and 2040.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "216B.1691",
"subdivision": "Subd. 2g"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee