Initiatives passed during the 2023 legislative session invest hundreds of millions of dollars to advance Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework.

Flanked by school children and big, colorful images of items related to climate change like cars, infrastructure, and bumblebees, MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler joined Governor Tim Walz, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, and other state leaders on May 31 to celebrate legislative investments that will help advance the bold vision of Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework. The group gathered at the Kaposia Education Center in South Saint Paul, where a rooftop solar array powers the school and students are building solar-powered ovens as a science project.

“Climate wins are wins for everyone, but especially these young people,” said Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. “We can ensure our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren can enjoy the outdoors as we do.

During the 2023 legislative session, more than 40 climate initiatives in energy, environment, agriculture, health, transportation, and infrastructure were passed. Each proposal supports the implementation of Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework, a comprehensive plan to ensure a carbon-neutral, equitable, and resilient future for the state. Together, these laws represent the most significant investment in climate action Minnesota has ever made.

“We are celebrating a giant leap forward in our work to protect Minnesotans and our communities from climate change” said Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Katrina Kessler. “Legislative investments allow us to help communities around the state improve aging infrastructure with climate-smart upgrades and to build stronger relationships with tribal nations to assist them in securing federal funding, ensuring we bring as many federal dollars to Minnesota as possible.”

The MPCA’s climate initiatives passed in 2023 include:

Preparing communities for climate change. More than 85% of Minnesota communities have reported experiencing at least one extreme weather event caused by climate change, preventing businesses and farmers from getting their products to market. To help communities better prepare, $100 million approved for MPCA’s resilient communities grant program will help communities upgrade aging infrastructure with climate-smart design, combat flooding and heat island effect, and create local jobs.

Investing in tribal partnerships. The One Minnesota Budget invests $4 million to assist tribal governments and tribal organizations with applying for and managing environmental or climate grants from the state or federal government for assistance on climate-related work. This proposal assists tribal government partners, who have reported limited capacity to apply for or manage grants and carry out climate-related work.

Visit the governor's web site for a full list of climate initiatives passed this year. Check out Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework (mn.gov/framework).