Sierra Club North Star Chapter

06/05/2026

Yesterday, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission moved to maintain the line extension allowance policy for gas utilities. The policy allows utilities to profit by charging existing Minnesota customers an estimated $34 million every year to extend gas pipes to add new customers while also delivering a return to shareholders.

“The Future of Gas proceeding is a critical opportunity to reimagine and build an affordable, clean energy system, which is why I’m disappointed the Commission chose not to end the unfair policy of line extension allowances," said Natalie Cook, coalition manager, Clean Heat Minnesota "A future continuing to invest in both a gas and electric system is an expensive future and keeps communities hooked on the volatile cost of fossil fuels and growing utility charges."

https://www.sierraclub.org/minnesota/blog/2026/06/utility-regulator-delays-action-cut-34-million-gas-utility-charges-minnesota

06/04/2026

The Sierra Club was honored to host a photography class at the 2nd Annual Peony Festival. Thanks to the MN China Friendship Garden Society for being such gracious hosts. We look forward to more partnerships and recommend that everyone goes and explores the beautiful garden at Lake Phalen! Photo Credit:

05/29/2026

What do streets have to do with climate?

Thanks to the support of McKnight Foundation, Sierra Club attends the NACTO Designing Cities Conference and explains.

Over a thousand transportation planners, engineers, government agency leaders, elected officials, and advocates, including Sierra Club staff and volunteers, recently converged in Minneapolis for the NACTO Designing Cities Conference.

05/22/2026

🏛️ Minnesota’s 2026 legislative session just wrapped up. Hear our Deputy Director Mary’s take on what happened, what’s next for our environment and communities, and how we can get ready for 2027.

Learn more at our blog post:
https://www.sierraclub.org/minnesota/north-star-blog

05/20/2026

The fight for the Boundary Waters is now in Minnesotans’ hands. State-level action is critical because Trump and his allies in Congress have stripped away protections from the BWCA watershed. Join Margaret Levin, State Director, and Athan Manuel, National Director of the Sierra Club’s Lands Protection Program to learn what comes next in the fight to protect the Boundary Waters from toxic copper-sulfide mining.

🐟 RSVP at sc.org/bwcapanel

These sulfide mines cannot move forward without state permits. Governor Walz, the Department of Natural Resources, and our next governor will be essential in stopping these toxic mines. And YOU have an important role to play too. Join our virtual Panel Discussion with speakers from the local and national Sierra Club to share perspectives on defending federal lands protections from attacks and actions needed at the state level in Minnesota.

Panelists:
* Athan Manuel, National Director of the Sierra Club’s Lands Protection Program
* Jackie Feinberg, National Lands Conservation Campaign Manager at Sierra Club
* Margaret Levin, State Director, Sierra Club North Star Chapter

Join us to get updated and learn what’s coming next: sc.org/bwcapanel

05/15/2026

🚨 There are just a few days left in the Minnesota legislative session, and Big Tech wants our tax dollars. Watch this update from Peter, and reach out to your legislators today. Find your legislators at leg.mn.gov

05/01/2026

Hot off the press: Sierra Club National EV Progress Report.
"Minnesota is making progress on spending federal EV charging dollars, but still has a long way to go."

Minnesota made meaningful progress on rolling out federal EV charging dollars in 2025, but the vast majority of funding remains unspent, according to a new Sierra Club report out today.

04/23/2026

More Action: “To Senator Foung Hawj - Thank you so much for helping our earth.” One of our Earth Day events was joining The Sanneh Foundation's Eastside celebration. There was planting, composting demos, trash pick-ups and we hosted thank you card writing to share gratitude for leaders like St.Paul’s Senator Foung Hawj – who fight at the State Capitol to protect our Earth.

04/22/2026

Proud to be with hundreds of Minnesotans gathered at the State Capitol for actions. “We need leaders who agree with us: Minnesota is not for sale. Our waters, our grid, and children’s future is not for sale.” - Matt Doll from the DFL Environmental Caucus said this so well. Love to mother earth and all her fighters. Together Minnesotans can and will protect , fight hyperscale data centers and save our communities & planet! Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness RISE Coalition Indivisible Mnleg MN350: Building a Climate Movement in Minnesota Save the Boundary Waters