In the final session of the forum, Laura Bordelon (Minnesota Chamber of Commerce) moderates a candid and often sharp dialogue between two of the state's most influential energy legislators: Senator Nick Frentz (DFL), Chair of the Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee, and Representative Chris Swedzinski (R), Co-Chair of the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee.
The conversation highlights the stark contrast in philosophy between the two parties. While Senator Frentz emphasizes that the transition to clean energy is now driven by economics—stating that "wind unsubsidized is now the lowest cost"—Representative Swedzinski argues that Minnesota is "skating to where the puck has been" rather than where it is going, warning that the state is ignoring the massive energy demands of the coming digital industrial revolution.
The legislators debate the future of data centers, with Rep. Swedzinski questioning the wisdom of exporting electrons rather than importing jobs, and Senator Frentz calling for a "data center friendly state" that still protects ratepayers. They also spar over the Renewable Development Account (RDA), the path to lifting the nuclear moratorium, and the "Not In My Backyard" challenges of building new transmission lines.
