CenterPoint Energy executives and investors scuttled a proposal that would have required more robust and transparent emissions tracking. This is in conflict with net-zero commitments made by the utility, and with the reality that massive emissions reductions are needed to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.

CenterPoint explicitly opposed the measure, brought forward by some of its investors, which would have required it to comprehensively assess customers’ end use (or “Scope 3”) emissions and set targets for reducing those emissions. Scope 3 emissions account for more than 80% of CenterPoint's total emissions, and the utility sidestepping this critical category raises serious questions about its commitment to net-zero emissions. 

CenterPoint’s refusal to more fully address emissions from gas use in customers’ homes and businesses, and take steps more meaningful to reduce them, complicates decarbonization goals held by communities served by CenterPoint. Notably, this includes the state of Minnesota and many Minnesota cities -- especially Minneapolis, with whom CenterPoint has committed in a shared Clean Energy Partnership work plan to "decarbonize homes via electrification and energy efficiency retrofits." The utility’s resistance to prioritizing these emissions reductions in its corporate goal-setting is in conflict with this commitment.

Earth Week Celebration and Clean Up Events 

In addition to our 2023 Community Power Energy Questionnaire, we are excited to announce 3 candidate forums! All candidates seeking to represent Wards 6, 7 & 12 on the Minneapolis City Council will share their visions on how to meet Minneapolis’ upcoming Climate & Equity Plan goals plus additional local energy democracy perspectives.

• All from around the city, regardless of ward are welcome and encouraged to join ! 
• Audience members can submit questions they wish candidates to answer ! 
• Informal social time after each Q & A !

Xcel Energy and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) waited four months before notifying the public after a 400,000 gallon radioactive leak at Xcel’s Monticello nuclear plant. 

The leak was discovered by Xcel on November 22, 2022, and was immediately reported to the MPCA. Radioactive high-tritium water spilled from a leaky pipe and has seeped into the ground water under the plant. Tritium is a naturally occurring radioactive isotope that shows up in much higher concentrations in water from nuclear power plants.

On March 16th, 2023, Xcel and the MPCA finally notified the public. They defended the delay by saying that the spill was contained, that the public was never at risk, and claimed the reason for delay was to avoid public alarm. Xcel Energy estimates that its ground water pumping efforts over the last 4 months have recovered about 25% of the leaked tritium.

Over 90 attendees showed up at a January 23rd event to help pass a robustly funded People’s Climate & Equity Plan. You too can be part of history and build on this momentum!

If you are in Minneapolis and want to keep the city council focused & supportive of full funding, or to make sure incoming candidates understand the importance of climate action, then becoming a caucus / convention delegate is the most effective thing we can do over the next few months. 

• Fill out the form to Caucus for the Minneapolis People's Climate & Equity Plan on March 14^th so you can be connected with experienced caucus-goers in your City Council Ward
• For some basic info, answers to FAQ’s, and the various political parties*** see Minneapolis Caucus How, Why and Where 2023. 

• You can also be connected to the Caucus for Climate & Equity mobilization by signing your name on this letter to Mayor Jacob Frey, encouraging him to support creating a new robust dedicated fund for Climate & Equity, through a tax on the city's biggest polluters.

• The caucus form is live! For everyone in wards 1-11 planning to caucus with the DFL, you can now sign up to become a delegate by filling out this form before March 14. Wards 12 and 13 will be caucusing in-person on March 14 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. ln-person caucus locations available here.