Details on The “One Big Brutal Bill”
Here is our briefing on the current proposals to end the IRA tax credits within the congressional reconciliation bill process. Background As we move into the heart of the first year of the Trump administration, it is not surprising that the administration seeks to pass legislation to extend and expand the tax cuts enacted in…
An Update on Environmental Omnibus Finance Bills
The legislative work that MNIPL does in partnerships with our allies is essential to ensuring critical environmental protections. This year we are focusing our work on two fronts: making sure our IPL members and allies’ voices were delivered through letters and testimonies opposing changes that will rollback essential environmental protections; and leading efforts to protect wild…
Connecting Across Cultural Divides Through Mutual Respect
Last Thursday, April 10, a Senate hearing on an environmental bill became the unlikely setting for what was called a culture clash. When Indigenous leaders asked the committee to protect the inherent right of wild rice to exist and thrive in Minnesota, a Republican lawmaker tried to pivot. They brought up unborn babies, and personhood…
MN Senate Energy and House Transportation omnibus bills roll back climate victories for industry
Please Call your legislators, ask them to vote no on these bills! Energy Rollbacks Minnesota’s Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate Committee passed a budget and policy omnibus bill on April 9, 2025 with several policy rollbacks that favor industry – like big tech data centers or utilities – over programs and policies that help…
Recommendations for Direct Pay for IRA Projects
At the time of writing, the federal tax credits continue to be alive one month into this new administration, but I won’t say “…and well”. That’s because it’s clear all the IRA tax credits having to do with clean energy are being discussed for elimination, and because some IRS staff are being cut along with…
Context for Hydroelectric Energy Law in Minnesota
When the Minnesota Legislature passed and the Governor signed the 100% Clean Electricity Law in 2023, it did several things: As part of this bill, hydroelectric was expanded to include large hydropower facilities (100 megawatts or more), but not new large hydropower facilities that would become operational after the date of the bill’s enactment (February…
A Decarbonizing Big Win from the IRS (Yes, the IRS!)
In 2022 and 2023, MNIPL was busy assisting congregations about understanding the Inflation Reduction Act DIrect Pay incentives they could now take advance to help reduce the cost of solar on their buildings. Direct Pay allows nonprofits, like faith, spiritual, and religious communities, to file with the IRS for tax credits for the installation of…
Recognizing our Connection to this World and Each Other: Learnings from the United Methodist EarthKeeper Gathering
Earlier this month, MNIPL’s Climate Justice Organizer Joshua Lewis attended a meeting of EarthKeepers from United Methodist congregations across the state. EarthKeepers are groups of United Methodist congregants who are growing their congregations’ commitment to environmental justice, antiracism, and community organizing. From John Wesley to Indigenous Ways of Knowing The conversations at this gathering focused…
Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Amending after Acknowledging
By Alfred Walking Bull (they/he) Sicangu Lakota MNIPL Black & Native Reparations Advisory Table member Alfred is a member of the Black and Native Reparations Advisory Table and is an Indigenous Catholic/Walakota Practitioner. We asked them to share their perspective on Indigenous Peoples’ Day about how faith, spiritual, or religious communities and all Minnesotans can…
A Win in Duluth/Superior: NTEC’s Permit is Withdrawn
Earlier this week, climate justice organizers in the Northland achieved a huge success: the utility companies withdrew their requested permit for Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC), a $1B gas-fired power plant they hoped to build in Superior, WI. Despite knowing that methane or “natural” gas is a major contributor to climate change and that the…