Minnesota
In 2023, Minnesota passed sweeping climate and environmental justice legislation, including mandatory emissions reductions targets, but the state has only decreased emissions 7% from 2005-2022 — compared to their target of 50% below 2005 levels by 2030. In the same year, they also passed a clean energy standard of 100% clean electricity by 2040, and renewable electricity generation has almost doubled over the last decade, largely from wind. While the state has no fossil fuel reserves or production, it plays an essential role in the interstate transport of coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
Governor
Tim Walz (Democrat)
House Party
Split Control
Senate Party
Democratic Majority
Electricity market structure
Regulated
38
31
Midwest
Progress by Policy Area
- Enacted Enacted policies have been passed or established in a state by a governing body via legislation, executive orders, rules, regulations, and/or other program creation, and remain in effect.
- In-progress In progress policies have been established in a state, but final regulations, rules, or plans are pending final approval. This also includes legislation and executive orders that require regulations to be put into effect.
- Partially Enacted Partially enacted policies have been enacted in the state, but are missing one or more policy components. Dashboard policies cannot be considered partially enacted unless policy components are available.
- Not Enacted Not enacted policies have not been passed or established in the state or are no longer in effect.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Minnesota
Climate Policies in Minnesota
| Status | Policy | Policy Area | Policy Category | Year Enacted | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enacted |
Empty column
The statewide energy code for residential construction is 2012 IECC with amendments. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Codes | 2014 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
The statewide energy code for commercial building construction is ASHRAE 90.1-2019 with amendments. The state’s commercial building energy codes must achieve an 80% or greater reduction in annual net energy consumption by 2036 as compared to a 2004 model code baseline measure. Codes need to be updated every 3 years. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Codes | 2023 | |
| Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. |
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Codes | ||
| Not Enacted |
Empty column
The sale of mercury-containing light bulbs will be phased out by 2025 in favor of LEDs. However, Minnesota has not adopted appliance standards beyond those required by the federal government Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Standards | ||
| Not Enacted |
Empty column
Building performance standards establish energy and/or greenhouse gas performance targets for existing buildings in a state. These targets increase in stringency over time, leading to efficiency improvements in buildings to conserve energy and reduce emissions. |
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Standards | ||
| Not Enacted |
Empty column
Clean heat standards establish a performance standard requiring heat providers to deliver a gradually-increasing percentage of low-emission heating services to customers. |
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Standards | ||
| Enacted |
Empty column
Investor-owned electric utilities are required to achieve annual savings equivalent to 1.75% of gross annual energy sales, and public electric utilities are required to achieve annual savings equivalent to 1.5% of gross annual energy sales. Investor-owned and public gas utilities are required to achieve annual savings equivalent to 1.0% of gross annual energy sales. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Efficiency | 2021 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
Minnesota has enacted commercial PACE-enabling legislation and has active programs. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Efficiency | 2010 | |
| Partially Enacted |
Empty column
The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled. Establishing Policies
Policy Components
3/4
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Efficiency | ||
| Not Enacted |
Empty column
All-electric buildings policies require new buildings to be constructed with all-electric heating, cooling, and cooking systems to transition away from fossil-fuel use in buildings. |
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Electrification | ||
| Enacted |
Empty column
The Department of Commerce developed a study exploring sites suitable for thermal energy networks statewide, released in January 2026. Gas utilities with more than 800,000 customers must include a district energy pilot in their 5-year "innovation plans," and must invest at least 15% of their innovation plan's budget in TENs. Other utilities are encouraged to consider alternatives to gas in their innovation plans, including district thermal. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Electrification | 2026 | |
| Not Enacted |
Empty column
The Public Utilities Commission solicited public comments on whether it should modify existing gas line extension allowances. A PUC order in response is expected. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Electrification |