Last week, we debated the Democrats' Blackout Bill, which would increase Minnesota's renewable energy standard to 55 percent by 2035 and requires electric utilities in the state to generate or acquire 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2040.

Not only is this bill estimated to cost $313 billion, but it will also cause electric bills to skyrocket, adding an additional $1,600 to each family's energy bill every year. Other costs associated with pushing this standard would cost each household up to $3,900 a year, according to a study from the Center for the American Experiment. We all know that family budgets are struggling already with rising energy costs.

The bill also does not lift the nuclear moratorium, which is extremely short-sighted, especially when advanced nuclear reactors are being built already. It makes no sense to go to a 100% carbon-free standard without taking advantage of every carbon-free option we have.

North Dakota has already warned our Governor that if the Blackout Bill passes as-is, they will sue the state over interstate commerce violations. The letter states,

"Any net decrease in electric power production would inevitably and disproportionately burden our most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged residents with rising energy costs and reduced economic security."

Not only does this bill put the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in charge of measuring whether a utility is achieving a carbon-free standard, it also requires them to consider the "social cost of greenhouse gases" when evaluating each method of electricity generation. The PUC would now be forced to regulate Utility Coorperatives which currently are regulated by a governing board elected by their members. This poses a serious conflict of interest and violates their independent governance.

This bill increases the likelihood of rolling blackouts and brownouts during high energy usage time, which could be incredibly dangerous for seniors, long-term care centers, people who have medical equipment that requires electricity, like ventilators, and many others. We have severe weather in Minnesota that sometimes lasts for days, and a blackout could be catastrophic for so many.

This bill is unaffordable, unreliable, and dangerous, and Minnesotans deserve better. I voted no.