Tuesday afternoon, Minnesota’s Energy Transition Advisory Committee (ETAC) held its quarterly meeting at Becker City Hall.

The MN legislature established the Energy Transition Office in 2021 to advise state government on energy transition issues. In addition, the office is charged with creating transition programs, economic initiatives and establishing alternatives that minimize the negative consequences caused by power plant closures. 

The committee has a pair of local representatives, with Sherburne County Commissioner Gregg Felber serving as chair, and Becker Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Schmidt serving as the education representative.

Becker Mayor Mark Kolbinger welcomed the committee to Becker, and spoke about the importance of Sherco units 1 and 3 to both the local economy, as well as to MISO - the operator of the electrical grid.  Kolbinger noted that coal remained the top fuel source powering the grid despite it being a sunny and windy day.  Becker’s progress towards diversifying its tax base through residential, commercial and industrial development was also a topic covered by the mayor.

Becker City Administrator Greg Lerud spoke of the city’s and Sherburne County’s efforts in preparing for the future through transportation projects that utilized Energy Transition Grants (ETC) provided by the State of MN.

Several agencies provided updates, including the Coalition of Utility Cities (CUC), of which Becker is a member.  The CUC delineated several priorities for the upcoming legislative session, including a repeal of the state’s nuclear moratorium, clarifying several tenants of the Energy Transition Aid program, and monitoring data center legislation.

State Representative Shane Mekeland, a former member of the committee, also addressed the upcoming legislative session and his efforts surrounding data centers.

The Energy Transition Office is a function of Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).