Ceremonial Signing of the Energy Conservation and Optimization Act

Governor Tim Walz held a ceremonial bill signing Tuesday, July 27, to celebrate the recently enacted Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) Act of 2021. The measure gained bipartisan support during the regular legislative session, clearing both chambers by significant margins.

"This is really smart policy," said Walz. "It starts out first and foremost by saving consumers money. It starts out by creating jobs...and, of course, the benefit that we get with it is the reduction of carbon emissions and addressing climate change."

The bill expands Minnesota's Conservation Improvement Program (CIP), which requires energy utility companies to provide financial incentives to customers for energy saving improvements, such as the installation of energy efficient systems. The new law expands the CIP program eligibility for low-income households, requires energy efficient improvements for public schools and increases conservation goals for investor-owned utilities.

In a released statement, Senate bill sponsor Jason Rarick, R-Pine City, said, "This innovative policy change is good for consumers, small businesses, and energy providers and prepares Minnesota's energy utilization for future technological advancements without picking winners or losers."