Meeting the Clean Power Plan in Minnesota

The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes a 'Clean Path Case' for Minnesota to meet its Clean Power Plan (CPP) target of reducing power sector emissions by 34 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. This pathway involves strengthening the state's Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) and Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS), alongside a mass-based carbon emissions trading program. The analysis suggests this approach would yield over 4,500 MW of new wind and solar capacity, save the average household $54 annually by 2030, and generate $205 million in average annual revenue from carbon allowance sales between 2022 and 2030. Additionally, the plan is projected to provide $111 million in public health and economic benefits by reducing CO2, SO2, and NOx emissions.

• Minnesota's specific target under the Clean Power Plan is to reduce power sector emissions to 11.7 million tons, which is 34 percent below 2012 levels, by the year 2030.
• The 'Clean Path Case' proposes strengthening the state's energy policies to achieve energy efficiency savings equal to 2 percent of statewide electricity sales annually starting in 2016 and increasing renewable energy to meet 40 percent of statewide electricity demand by 2030.
• Implementation of the Clean Path Case would result in more than 4,500 MW of new wind and solar capacity in Minnesota by 2030, stimulating over $4.6 billion in new capital investments.
• The Clean Path Case is projected to reduce the average monthly electricity bill for a typical Minnesota household by 6.9 percent in 2030 compared to the Reference Case, representing an annual saving of more than $50.
• A mass-based emissions trading program with auctioned allowances could generate an average of $205 million in annual revenue for Minnesota from 2022 to 2030.
• The transition to the Clean Path Case would provide approximately $111 million in public health and economic benefits between 2022 and 2030 by reducing emissions of CO2, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2016). Meeting the Clean Power Plan in Minnesota. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/02/clean-power-plan-minnesota.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Meeting the Clean Power Plan in Minnesota. 2016. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/02/clean-power-plan-minnesota.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Meeting the Clean Power Plan in Minnesota |date=February 2016 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/02/clean-power-plan-minnesota.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2016meeting, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Meeting the Clean Power Plan in Minnesota}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2016}, month = feb, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/02/clean-power-plan-minnesota.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }