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Minnesota Now with Cathy Wurzer
Cathy Wurzer and Alanna Elder

Minnesota's climate law rollout sparks questions over what counts as 'carbon free'

A close-up of an boiler's incinerator
Trash burns in one of the boilers inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center in Minneapolis on Sept. 14, 2023.
Ben Hovland/Ben Hovland | MPR News

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Minnesota’s new climate laws passed in 2023 require all electricity in the state to come from carbon-free sources by the year 2040. But it’s up to regulators to decide what exactly counts as carbon free — the key question that has arisen is whether burning trash and timber for energy should be a part of the mix.

There may not be an answer until the end of 2025 after the Public Utilities Commission recently moved to delay the decision. Andrew Hazzard has been following this. He covers climate change and environmental justice for Sahan Journal and he joined Minnesota Now to talk about his reporting.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here.