Electric cooperatives prepare for Minnesota's 2026 legislative session

The 2026 Minnesota legislative session convenes Feb. 17 and must adjourn by May 18. With the state budget passed in 2025, lawmakers are expected to focus primarily on policy issues and the state’s capital investment bill, which funds public infrastructure projects. A tied House and a one-vote DFL majority in the Senate mean compromise will be essential.

Adding to the dynamics, all 201 legislative seats, statewide offices and the governorship will be on the ballot in November.

During the session, Minnkota and its member cooperatives will be actively advocating for policies that ensure reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity for its members. While the political environment may be challenging, there are opportunities to advance solutions that benefit local communities, strengthen the grid and support responsible energy innovation.

Two priorities will guide these efforts: reforming outdated net metering policies and lifting Minnesota’s moratorium on nuclear energy.

Reforming net metering

Reforming Minnesota’s outdated net metering law is one of the most important energy issues this session.

Net metering was created decades ago to encourage rooftop solar and other small-scale generation. While it helped spur early adoption, the policy has not kept pace with today’s electric system. Under the current framework, the costs of maintaining power lines, substations and other systems are increasingly shifted to members who do not generate their own power – often those who can least afford higher bills.

Electric cooperatives support renewable energy, but policies must be fair and equitable for all members. Updating net metering to better reflect the true costs of distributed energy resources helps ensure everyone pays their fair share for the grid we all rely on.

Lifting Minnesota's nuclear energy moratorium

Minnesota’s longstanding moratorium on new nuclear energy projects limits the state’s ability to consider reliable, carbon-free power options. As electricity demand grows, advanced nuclear technologies offer the potential for dependable, around-the-clock baseload power. Unlike wind and solar, nuclear energy produces electricity regardless of weather or time of day.

Lifting the moratorium does not commit Minnesota to building nuclear facilities today. It simply allows for informed discussion and long-term planning to ensure a balanced and resilient energy mix.

Additional areas of focus

Electric cooperatives are also engaged on other issues that affect members and rural communities, including:

•Wildfire mitigation: Working with partners to reduce wildfire risk and protect critical electric infrastructure.

•Data centers and carbon-free energy policy: Monitoring proposals related to data center development, electricity demand growth and compliance with Minnesota’s carbon-free and renewable energy standards.

A trusted voice for rural energy

Minnkota is committed to advocating for policies that protect affordability, reliability and local control. Through testimony, outreach and collaboration, we will ensure the cooperative perspective remains front and center at the Capitol.