Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, once known for his conservative environmental record in Congress, has embraced aggressive climate policies as the vice presidential nominee.
Emma Dumain, Kelsey Brugger and Nico Portuondo report for E&E News.
In short:
- Walz supported controversial projects like the Keystone XL pipeline during his congressional tenure.
- As governor, he shifted to lead Minnesota in adopting stringent environmental policies, including a clean electricity standard targeting net-zero emissions by 2040.
- Observers note Walz’s evolution on climate policy aligns with broader shifts in the Democratic Party's priorities.
Key quote:
“He has evolved as his role has evolved and the issue of climate change has evolved.”
— Trent Bauserman, former congressional climate adviser
Why this matters:
Walz’s evolution reflects the growing importance of climate action in American politics.
