Minnesota officials push U.S. Senate to pass climate change legislation

(ABC 6 NEWS) – Minnesota Officials held a virtual conference Wednesday to push the U.S. Senate to pass climate change legislation.

Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) with St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and other elected officials shared why they think climate change needs to be acted on now.

Officials want the Senate to pass the $550 billion in investments for climate change that passed in the U.S. House late last year.

If passed, it would bring clean energy, clean transportation, and sustainable infrastructure to the U.S.

"Independent analysis shows that the climate provisions in the legislation we are working to pass would create over 90,000 new jobs in Minnesota over the next five years and we can do this without raising utility prices for homeowners and businesses," Democratic Minnesota Senator Tina Smith said.

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said his city is already working for climate change including a program called EV Spot Network. It’s an electric car share program focused on serving under-resourced communities.

"Expanding clean opportunities like our EV program will make everyday life more affordable for the middle class and working families by lowering electricity bills, saving people money at the gas pump, and saving on heating and cooling costs through energy efficiency," St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said.

Sen. Smith said clean power is becoming a possibility, but the transition is not happening fast enough.

She added that the tax credits in this bill will fuel the private investment in clear power to help the transition move along.

You can watch the full conference here.