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In the aftermath of the 2024 election, the Minnesota Star Tribune ran an article raising alarm over the potential loss of billions of dollars in federal aid that Minnesota is counting on to build clean energy infrastructure (“Future of Biden’s clean energy law in limbo,” Nov. 16). The concern stemmed from then-President-elect Donald Trump saying he would claw back unspent funds allocated under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Estimates suggest that could mean cutting off one-third of the historic funding promised by the landmark legislation, though the actual loss may be even higher.
As Trump begins his term, let’s be clear about the stakes. Such a rollback will affect every corner of Minnesota, leading to fewer jobs and higher energy prices.
A recent analysis by the Washington Post, titled “See how the Inflation Reduction Act is affecting your community” (tinyurl.com/ira-local), demonstrates the widespread impact this move could have. In Minnesota, seven of eight congressional districts received substantial IRA funding, led by $319 million to Rep. Brad Finstad’s southern Minnesota district (CD1) and $423 million to Rep. Michelle Fischbach’s district on the western side of the state (CD7). All told, the North Star State has received more than $900 million from the IRA to combat climate change, helping to fuel the state’s 62,000 clean-energy jobs.
But the potential damage doesn’t stop there. Recent comments from U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested the new House may repeal the CHIPS Act, leading to an additional loss of $280 billion aimed at improving the nation’s high-tech manufacturing sector.
When the CHIPS Act, the IRA and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) are added together, they have delivered over $12 billion for more than 1,800 projects in Minnesota alone.
This money has benefited each of the state’s 87 counties. Data from Minnesota’s Department of Management and Budget shows that, on average, counties received funding for nearly 15 projects worth more than $55 million.