EQB adopts expedited rules to align review of large energy projects with new state permitting law

The Environmental Quality Board voted Jan. 21 to adopt expedited permanent rules that bring the board’s environmental-review provisions into alignment with the Minnesota Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act (Minn. Stat. ch. 216I), the law governing permitting and environmental review for large energy infrastructure projects.

Kayla Walsh, environmental review program administrator in the Environmental Review Program, told the board the Legislature passed the statute in 2024 and the law took effect July 1, 2025. She said the statute creates a Public Utilities Commission-managed framework intended to streamline permitting and environmental review for projects such as high-voltage transmission lines, large generating plants, energy storage, large wind and solar systems and associated facilities. "EQB is doing this rulemaking in order to conform with the new law passed by the legislature in 2024 called the Minnesota Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act," Walsh said.

The board approved a resolution included on packet page 18 that adopts the rule text and authorizes the executive director to…