Includes groundbreaking efforts to combat PFAS contamination, including Amara Strande’s Law
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis) said today that the Senate passed the Environment, Natural Resources, Climate, and Energy Finance and Policy conference committee bill, which makes unprecedented investments in Minnesota’s response to climate change, protects communities from harmful pollution, repairs critical infrastructure for outdoor recreations, and advances clean and renewable energy projects throughout the state.
The measure passed by a vote of 35 to 31.
Majority Leader Dziedzic said that Senator Foung Hawj (DFL-St. Paul) and Senator Nick Frentz (DFL-Mankato), Chairs of the Senate Environment Climate and Legacy Committee and the Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee, have delivered a budget that will support Minnesota’s outdoors and advance our progress in the fight against climate change.
“This is a historic commitment to our outdoor heritage, clean and renewable energy, to fighting climate change, and represents a generational investment for the future of Minnesota,” said Majority Leader Dziedzic. “I want to thank Senator Hawj and Senator Frentz for their leadership in delivering a bold, ambitious, and essential budget that will strengthen our state, create jobs, and support Minnesotans today, but also for future generations.”
“The Senate DFL is sending a strong message that outlines the values of our state.
We are committed to tackling the generational challenge of climate change with every available option in a well-informed manner,” said Senator Frentz. “The investments made in this bill will smooth our transition to clean energy, reduce our carbon footprint, and strengthen resiliency for homeowners to lower utility costs. Our budget will give Minnesota good footing in the fight against climate change and create a more sustainable future for everyone in our great state.”
“As Minnesotans, we value the health of our environment and its occupants and our budget reflects those values,” said Sen. Hawj. “We are taking big steps to reduce pollution and the effects of harmful chemicals, like polyfluoroalkyl, or PFAS, on our populations, maintain our outdoor recreational areas, and ensure that our natural ecosystems are stable and healthy. I am also proud of our omnibus bill’s efforts to address climate change by jumpstarting our transition to clean energy. By taking action and making these critical investments today, we will make future generations proud.”
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