MNIPL is proud to engage congregations in meaningful, systemic action for climate justice at the state and federal level. We know the importance of using our faith and moral voices to push our leaders to create bold climate policy solutions. Take a look at our current policy initiatives below!
Interested in joining MNIPL’s Policy Team? We are a team of volunteers and staff who seek to mobilize people of faith to advocate for policy initiatives addressing the climate crisis and creating a 100% renewable, equitable, and sustainable future for all. We meet every other Monday from 6:30-8 pm on Zoom. Everyone is welcome! Email sam@mnipl.org to learn more.
News & Updates
Climate groups decry efforts by MN Chamber of Commerce to block updates to state’s environmental review process
On August 2, 2021, MN350 issued a press release on behalf of a coalition of climate justice organizations. The release includes a quote by Sam Benson, MNIPL's Policy Associate:
Efforts by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to “declaw” climate-related updates to the state’s environmental review processes were sharply criticized today by a coalition of environmental groups as yet another example of the chamber’s attempts to kill common-sense climate solutions in the state. The Bad for Business campaign was launched a year ago by MN350 Action and partners to expose the chamber’s record of holding Minnesota back when it comes to addressing climate change.
For more than a year, the Environmental Quality Board has been considering adding climate impacts to the environmental review process that large development projects in Minnesota must undergo. To do so would require a simple and common-sense procedural change. Many public comments on the EQB’s proposal were supportive and described the change as overdue. Yet with the proposal close to being approved, the MN Chamber of Commerce and other groups are now attempting to exert influence to delay the rule and limit its scope.
“This is a clear example of how the chamber undermines needed climate action,” said Sam Benson of Interfaith Power & Light, a coalition member. “Their refusal to let any attempt at climate action through in the state under the guise of concern for Minnesota businesses writ large is alarming. If they were really concerned for all Minnesota businesses and not just their fossil fuel-producing members, they would support climate solutions like this rule. With the extreme drought, record heat, and poor air quality conditions we are experiencing this summer, it’s beyond time for the Minnesota Chamber to get on board with climate action.”
The Chamber’s history of opposing common-sense climate action was detailed by MN350 Action and partners in a report released last year. It describes how the chamber has spent $6.5 million lobbying in Minnesota over the past three years, opposing even the most common-sense pieces of climate legislation, such as the ECO Act, Clean Energy First Bill and HF700.
Thousands of faith leaders across the US call on Congress to invest in clean and just energy
More than 3,400 faith leaders across the United States recently sent a letter to Congress calling for bold investments in clean energy and climate action that creates family and community-sustaining jobs while caring for our climate and our neighbors.
They called on Congress to use this opportunity to invest in the clean energy future while addressing the injustices of the past. This can be done through the current infrastructure package being debated or through the budget reconciliation process:
- Expanding clean, renewable energy and modernizing our electric grid, especially through a 100% Clean Electricity Standard
- Electrifying transportation and expanding public transit
- Ensuring clean water infrastructure for all communities
- Investing with justice, allocating more than 40% of investments in environmental justice communities
Click here to view the entire letter and the signers.
Members of the MNIPL community hand-delivered a version of this letter highlighting Minnesota signatories to U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips (MN's 3rd District), and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig (MN's 2nd District). #FaithInAction #ClimateActionNow
