The Economic, Environmental, and Legal Imperative for Repealing Minnesota’s Ban on New Coal-Fired Power

Key Points

Minnesota law, with few exceptions, bans Minnesota utilities from adding new coal-fired power to their generation mix.  This ban creates substantial economic, environmental, and legal problems.  Upon review, it’s clear that lawmakers should repeal the ban on new coal-fired power.

• Among states that rely on coal for electricity generation, Minnesota is the only state that bans new coal additions.  The ban on new coal-fired power will burden Minnesota will higher and more volatile electricity prices.
• The ban on new coal-fired power makes the U.S. more dependent on foreign energy sources.
• The ban on new coal-fired power risks increasing air pollution in Minnesota by discouraging efficiency upgrades and the decommissioning of existing coal plants.
• The ban on new coal-fired power will likely result in higher global carbon-dioxide emissions because coal that would be burned in Minnesota absent the ban will be exported for use in less efficient power plants in developing countries.
• The ban likely violates federal law and the Constitution.  As such, it is inviting an expensive lawsuit that the state will likely lose.

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