SF4463 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Repeal the 100 percent carbon free by 2040 standard
Related bill: HF4411
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- This bill repeals the state-law requirement that electric utilities meet specific carbon-free energy targets by certain dates, effectively removing the statewide mandate for 80%/60% by 2030, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040.
Main Provisions
- Repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 216B.1691 subdivision 2g (the carbonfree standard).
- The previously established carbon-free standard required electric utilities to generate or procure electricity from carbonfree energy technologies so that they reached the following targets:
- By 2030: 80% of total retail electric sales for public utilities; 60% for other electric utilities.
- By 2035: 90% for all electric utilities.
- By 2040: 100% for all electric utilities.
- The repeal ends these statutory targets; there is no longer a mandatory path to reach specific carbon-free percentages by those dates.
- The bill does not repeal other parts of the same statute (subdivisions 2a and 2f remain in effect); it only repeals subdivision 2g.
Significance and Potential Impacts
- Represents a policy shift away from a legally mandated decarbonization pathway to electricity generation.
- Could affect long-term planning and investments by electric utilities and influence Minnesota’s climate and energy policy trajectory.
- The change does not remove other energy-related requirements that may exist in the broader statute; it only removes the carbon-free standard outlined in 2g.
Key Terms Considered in the Summary
- carbonfree standard
- carbonfree energy technologies
- electric utility
- retail customers in Minnesota
- total retail electric sales
- public utilities
- distribution utility
- wholesale electric service
- Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 216B.1691 subdivision 2g
- 2030, 2035, 2040 targets
Relevant Terms - carbonfree standard - carbonfree energy technologies - electric utility - retail customers in Minnesota - wholesale electric service - public utilities - distribution utility - Minnesota Statutes 216B.1691 subdivision 2g - 2030 80 percent / 60 percent - 2035 90 percent - 2040 100 percent
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 17, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 17, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [
"Repeals the carbon-free standard established in Minnesota Statutes 216B.1691, subdivision 2g."
],
"summary": "This bill repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216B.1691, subdivision 2g (the carbon-free standard).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "216B.1691",
"subdivision": "2g"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee