Zero Burn Coalition Slams ‘Shameful’ PUC Vote Declaring Incineration Carbon-Free

Zero Burn Coalition members and allies call on the MN Public Utilities Commission to uphold Minnesota’s 100% carbon-free energy law. Photo by Devon Young Cupery.

Media Advisory For: Thursday, January 15, 2026

Media Contact: Erick Boustead, zeroburncoalition@gmail.com; Josh Levitt, mnejt@berlinrosen.com

Today, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved a motion claiming that electricity generated by burning woody biomass or municipal solid waste should be considered "carbon-free" under Minnesota's 100% Carbon-Free Law.

In response to today's vote, the Zero Burn Coalition issued the following statement: “The PUC's vote today is shameful, and contradicts both science and common sense.

“Minnesota's 100% carbon-free law defines carbon-free generation as ‘a technology that generates electricity without emitting carbon dioxide’ (Minn. Stat. 216B.1691, subd.1(b)). Every day, the Hennepin Energy Resource Center (HERC) emits enormous amounts of carbon dioxide in an uncontrolled manner that puts the health of Hennepin County residents at risk. Carbon-free means carbon-free–and that certainly does not apply to trash burned at HERC or other incinerators. We showed up today to defend the plain language of the 100% law. The PUC decided instead to adopt a “life-cycle analysis” approach that goes against the intent of the legislature, is vulnerable to industry manipulation masquerading as science, and will allow burning trash or wood products to be counted as carbon-free. This approach has corrupted and set back the clean energy transition in Europe and it will do the same here in Minnesota.

“In passing the motion today, the PUC will enable facilities like HERC, one of the largest polluters in Hennepin County, to qualify for clean-energy subsidies intended for true clean energy sources, like wind and solar. This defies logic, and runs contrary to the state’s 100% carbon-free law. Allowing the HERC to garner carbon-free credits could tip the balance towards extending HERC’s operation far beyond 2040. PUC commissioners claimed today that HERC wouldn't qualify as carbon-free but their written decision contradicts that claim.”

“HERC is dangerous and needs to be closed promptly, not handed a lifeline.”

“The PUC and polluting industries – including, apparently Hennepin County, which is advocating for burning trash to be considered carbon-free – are hoping the public stopped paying attention

after the law was passed in 2023. They are hoping they can corrupt this law without blowback. We showed up to make clear: that ain’t happening. It is outrageous that Hennepin County is lobbying through the Partnership on Waste and Energy and actively investing time and resources to garner support for this motion – in effect, doing the dirty work of polluting industries. Actions like these are what have pushed our community to escalate into a potential hunger strike. ”

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View photos and video clips from the PUC meeting here.