Local Campaigns

Pack the Forums

As you know candidate forums for the upcoming election are in full swing around the state and we are asking all supporters to attend the forums in their districts and ask the candidates questions on whether they support measures to combat climate change by reducing and eventually ending the use of fossil fuel, the use of which is already causing irreparable damage to our planet and and it’s inhabitants.

We ask that you go to LWVMN.org (the League of Women Voters) website and click on “poll locater” and follow the procedure to determine your house and senate districts and candidates. Toward the bottom of this page click on “visit our 2012 local candidates forum page” and then “statewide calender” to locate forums in your district.
If you are able to attend your area senate and house district forums, please email political-advocacy@MN350.org.
Here are some suggested questions to ask at the forums:
  1. Do you believe global warming is occurring? And do you believe we should have aggressive policies to counter this threat?
  2. Do you agree with over 95% of the world’s climate scientists that humans are at least CONTRIBUTING to global warming?
  3. How does the greenhouse effect work, and do you think that humans are interfering with its proper function?
  4. Is global warming and climate change significantly and negatively affected by human industrial and fossil fuel consumption activity and if so what is our Government’s Role and Responsibility in mediating a solution?
  5. What should the US role be in controlling climate change and what would you do to advance it?
Retire Sherco 1 & 2


In our efforts to reduce carbon in the atmosphere to a safe level of 350 ppm, MN350 is joining with partners to strengthen Xcel Energy’s resource plan by retiring the dirtiest coal plant in Minnesota, Sherco 1 and 2, and investing more in renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.

 Coal plant pollution accounts for a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the world.

In a world with increasing extreme weather, energy producers and consumers must invest in renewable energy, smart grids and energy conservation efforts in order to effectively address the changing climate.

Stay posted for a petition letter from MN350 to the Public Utilities Commission in regards to closing down the coal plants.

Stay tuned for upcoming action!

Public Utilities Commission orders Xcel Energy to submit a Sherco coal plant replacement study! (November 1, 2012)

Below is the letter MN350 members sent to the PUC during the comment period, spring 2012.

Dear Commissioners,

I am writing to ask the Public Utilities Commission to put Minnesota on a path to a clean energy future. Pollution from coal plants significantly contributes to unsafe levels of carbon in the atmosphere.  It is time to phase out dirty coal and transition to clean energy in order to avoid runaway climate change.

There are many aspects of Xcel’s IRP which are commendable but overall there remains too much reliance on the burning of coal for energy. I strongly encourage the PUC to require Xcel Energy to increase its commitment in this IRP to clean energy, greater energy efficiency gains annually and a significant reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions.

As a concerned citizen, I call on the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and Xcel Energy to increase Xcel’s commitment to clean energy in its Integrated Resource Plan.

-       As the Sherburne County (Sherco) Coal Generating Station is responsible for nearly 14 million tons a year of carbon emissions in Minnesota.  I urge the PUC to require Xcel Energy to retire Sherco units 1 and 2 and replace them with renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

-       Increase Energy Efficiency Goal to 2% per Year: Energy efficiency is the most cost effective energy resource. Xcel set a goal of 1.5% reduction per year. As a clean energy leader, Xcel should aim for a 2% reduction per year by investing in efficiency opportunities for industrial, commercial and residential customers.

I expect the Public Utilities Commission to make a strong commitment to take on the issues described above that ultimately require Xcel Energy to make investments in its business that will strengthen its position in the market as well as prove it is a national leader on clean and renewable energy.