April 7, 2026
The last six weeks have confirmed pre-session
expectations that we are unlikely to see any major policy or funding changes in
the environment space this year. The one exception might come in the form of a
potential bonding bill, and MICA will work with the Association of Minnesota
Counties (AMC) and Minnesota Rural Counties to revisit conversations with
members of the House and Senate Capital Investment committees and discuss the
need for solid waste infrastructure investments like Capital Assistance Program
(CAP) funding and support for construction and demolition (C+D) landfill
transition costs as sites are required to comply with new MPCA rules.
Negotiations
continue on the updated battery product stewardship bills after hearings in the
House and Senate before the legislative break. This language will be included
as part of the MPCA’s supplemental budget bill, which we expect to be
introduced this week, so there may be more opportunities for MICA to engage on
this topic yet this year. However, despite major concessions made to industry
groups and ongoing negotiations regarding recalled and lead-acid batteries, it
appears that House Republicans are still generally opposed to the bill and we
are unlikely to see major movement on product stewardship legislation this
session.
Our focus for this week is on Tuesday’s
informational hearing, led by environmental groups, in the Senate Environment,
Climate and Energy committee. The agenda includes the topic of “oversight of
regulatory actions on waste incineration and resulting air pollution.” Some
talking points on waste to energy (WTE) to keep in mind if you happen to be
meeting with any legislators this week:
- WTE facilities
reduce overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when compared to the most likely
waste disposal alternative, landfilling.
- Resource recovery
through WTE is a vital strategy to achieving Minnesota’s waste management
hierarchy goal of minimizing landfill disposal. In 2024, WTE facilities in
Minnesota processed 1.2 million tons of waste, a slight increase from 2023 that
ultimately kept more waste out of landfills.
- A recent
independent study of Minnesota WTE facilities commissioned by the Minnesota
Resource Recovery Association (MRRA) indicates that the WTE process eliminates
nearly all PFAS, preventing additional contamination of our land and water were
this waste to be disposed of in landfills.
- Any efforts to
prematurely close the Hennepin County Recover Center (HERC) would negatively
impact MICA counties, with landfills in Elk River (Sherburne County) and
Burnsville (Dakota County) the most likely to receive the bulk of diverted
waste.
House Energy
Thursday, April 9
- HF4770 (Mekeland)
Anaerobic digester or biomass thermal generation facility planning and
construction funding provided, and money appropriated.
House Environment
and Natural Resources
Tuesday, April 7
- HF4261 (Heintzeman) Motorboat operator
provisions modified; game and fish license, reporting, and penalty
provisions modified; penalties for false statements and alterations of
applications, licenses, permits, and registrations created; invasive
species provisions modified; and other natural resources provisions
modified.
- HF4263 (Heintzeman) Natural resources;
reporting requirements modified to improve efficiency.
- HF4264 (Heintzeman) Permitting efficiency
provisions modified.
- HF4787 (Heintzeman) Crow Wing County
easement required to be granted.
Thursday, April 9
- HF4740 (Hansen) Financial assurance
required for feedlot permits, inventories and reports required, and money
appropriated.
- HF3940 (Pursell) Rulemaking to require
environmental impact statement for large animal projects required.
- Presentation
of Governor’s Supplemental Budget Recommendations.
House State
Government
Thursday, April 9
- Informational
hearing on HF3945 (Hollins) Greenhouse gas pollution
cost-recovery program created, account established, reports required, and
money appropriated.
Senate Capital
Investment
Tuesday, April 7
- SF4528 (Dibble)
Forests and forestry capital projects appropriation and bond issuance
authorization
Senate Energy,
Utilities, Environment and Climate
Wednesday, April 8
- SF4920 (Mathews)
Anaerobic digester or biomass thermal generation facility planning and
constructing appropriation
Senate
Environment, Climate and Legacy
Tuesday, April 7
- Oversight
of State Actions to Regulate Environmental and Health Impacts of Nitrogen,
Nitrates, and Nitrous Oxide
- Oversight
of Management of Wildlife Management Areas
- Oversight
of Regulatory Actions on Waste Incineration and Resulting Air Pollution
