House climate proposal calls for reducing ‘the need to drive’

The “main goal” of the plan is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030.

The Metro Green Line in St. Paul (Metro Transit/Facebook)

A “Minnesota Climate Action Plan” released late last month by the Minnesota House Climate Action Caucus calls for achieving “100 percent clean electricity on an accelerated timeline” and reducing “the need to drive.”

According to a press release, the “main goal” of the plan is a 45-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, thereby putting Minnesota on track to be “carbon-free by 2050.”

“Minnesotans are already facing impacts of climate change, and we are running out of time to prevent irreversible and potentially catastrophic changes to the state we cherish,” said Rep. Patty Acomb, DFL-Minnetonka, chair of the House Climate Action Caucus.

The climate action plan recommends building out “bus rapid transit and passenger rail systems to connect more people with mass transit options,” ultimately with the goal of changing “transportation and land use planning to reduce the need to drive.”

“Move boldly on vehicle and transit electrification to provide Minnesotans across the state with electric transportation choices,” states another item in the plan.

Other proposals call for changing “building codes to align with carbon reduction goals” and investing in “climate resilient infrastructure statewide.”

“We must take immediate action to protect our planet for generations to come. The Minnesota Climate Action Plan outlines the steps that will lead us to a thriving, carbon-free future, including a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030,” said Acomb. “This ambitious plan will help tackle the climate crisis and provide a bright future for all Minnesotans.”

 

Anthony Gockowski

Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.