February 29, 2016

The Honorable Kurt Daudt

Minnesota House of Representatives
Room 463, State Office Building
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155
Dear Mr. Speaker and Representatives:
In your letter dated February 12, 2016, you asked the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to
explain its decision to continue developing a state Clean Power Plan in light of the Supreme
Courts recent stay of the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) clean energy regulation.
The health and longevity of our citizens is by far the most important reason for continuing our
work. In just the Twin Cities alone, the most recent research shows that air pollution linked to
fossil fuel emissions are a leading contributor to approximately 2,000 deaths, 400
hospitalizations, and 600 emergency-room visits every year. Air pollution also costs Minnesota
more than $800 million a year, largely due to cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. Continued
implementation of a state Clear Power Plan will reduce fossil fuel emissions helping to keep
Minnesotans healthier and reduce medical costs.
In addition, the Supreme Courts stay was procedural; it was not a ruling on the merits or
implementation of the Clean Power Plan rule. The stay was directed expressly at the EPA, and
the stay makes no requirements of states. The stay merely delays implementation of the rule
until the District Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, has time to rule on the
petitioners claim against the new rule. The District Court has put the matter on expedited
review, a move that in itself supports the fact that the stay is only procedural, and not designed to
stop or delay implementation.
We also believe that continued implementation is the most responsible approach because there is
no guarantee that states will be given any additional time to prepare and submit their plans under
the new Clean Power Plan rule should the District Court uphold the regulation.
It is prudent and efficient to continue our work and keep Minnesota from being put at a
disadvantage in regards to the federal deadline for our Clean Power Plan. As we craft the best
possible plan for Minnesota, it is essential that we receive extensive public input. This approach
will ensure that Minnesotas Clean Power Plan will be suited to the needs of all of its citizens.

Speaker Daudt and Representatives

February 29, 2016
Page Two

In your letter you also mentioned the actions taken by the States of Montana, North Dakota, and
South Dakota to delay implementation. However, it is Minnesotas right to follow its own
course of action. We have decided to take steps to protect the health of Minnesotans and the
environment they cherish. In recent weeks, Minnesotans who have attended outreach meetings
in St. Cloud, Bemidji, Duluth and Marshall have expressed their appreciation for our efforts to
address the impacts of climate change and fully describe the impact of the Clean Power Plan.
With or without the EPAs rule, we are committed to developing a plan for clean, affordable
energy for Minnesotas future, and to get as much input as we can along the way.
Minnesota is doing what Governor Mark Dayton has declared to be the best action: Stay the
course. Regardless of the court ruling, one thing is certain: the movement toward lower carbon
emissions in Minnesotas energy sector will continue. It is consistent and driven by goals set
forth in state law and is growing jobs in Minnesota more than 15,000 to date. Power
companies in this country are making moves toward cleaner energy, including Minnesota Power,
Xcel Energy, and Great River Energy, because cleaner energy makes the most sense for their
businesses. And moving to clean energy is the right thing for Minnesotas public health and
environment. Slowing our work now, while litigators argue, goes against our commitment to
work for a better, healthier Minnesota.
This letter will be posted on our website, as you requested, along with your letter. Feel free to
forward this letter to your fellow legislators.
Sincerely,

John Linc Stine

Commissioner
cc: Commissioner Mike Rothman, Department of Commerce
Commissioner Ed Ehlinger, Department of Health