Brooke Bahner

Placing a moratorium on the introduction of new coal, natural gas power plants, and combustion engine vehicles in Minnesota has the opportunity to be of economic benefit to the state if conditions align. Introducing a combination of wind, solar, and possibly nuclear energy will help supply energy as coal and natural gas power plants shut down. Rising demand for electricity as the portion of electric vehicles on the road increases will require the grid to add more energy than is anticipated by increases in population on its own. As renewable energy takes on an ever greater amount of Minnesota’s energy supply the state will need to add enough transmission lines and storage capacity to ensure that energy is available during daily and yearly peaks. Transitioning to renewable energy will not just supply cheap energy but will reduce emissions such as carbon dioxide, methane, and other substances that negatively affect the air quality and health of Minnesotans. Implementing renewable energy will not be an effortless transition but it has the ability to reduce energy costs and decrease Minnesota’s contribution to global warming.