Minneapolis City Council overrides Mayor Frey’s veto of carbon fees

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minneapolis City Council overrode a veto by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry of imposing carbon emissions fees within the city to reduce the effects of climate change.

What we know

The Minneapolis City Council on October 2 unanimously approved the 2025 Royalty Ordinance amending the Pollution Control Annual Registration (PCAR).

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed the 2025 royalty ordinance on Oct. 9, saying the council must follow proper procedure to prevent future legal challenges.

The latest change sets the PCAR fee at $452 per ton of carbon dioxide emitted.

Council members Andrea Jenkins and LaTrisha Vetaw voted against overriding the veto, but both initially voted for the 2025 royalty ordinance, which passed unanimously before Frey vetoed it on Oct. 9.

Further efforts to reduce carbon emissions were made at the state level when Minnesota Governor Time Walz signed a bill calling for a full transition to green energy by 2040.

READ MORE: Walz signs bill to make Minnesota carbon-free by 2040

What the mayor says

Mayor Frey’s office released a statement saying the council “must follow correct procedures in order for a carbon dioxide fee to be legislated to reduce pollution.”

Mayor Frey’s veto letter states that the council is working with “performative” measures against its own goals that are not supported by the city’s legal and financial realities.

“I completely agree with the PCAR fees – but it’s time for council to stop playing games and follow the processes in place to make lasting change,” Mayor Jacob Frey said in a news release. “The City Council must work with city experts to adopt a fee in a way that is legal, feasible and smart. Otherwise, their efforts will be useless and may even hinder our ability to curb pollution.”

What council members say

Council member Robin Wonsley, who authored the amendment that would include carbon fees in the city’s annual pollution control program fee schedule, said in a statement: “Climate change is an emergency. The recent devastating hurricanes in North Carolina and Florida have claimed hundreds of lives,” to remind us all of the life-threatening consequences. Since 2021, Minneapolis residents have been demanding that the council impose a fee on carbon emissions, which are major contributors to climate change. About 605 tons of CO2 will be emitted from the atmosphere next year alone, and major polluters will cover the costs of the program , not working-class residents.”

Councilman Jason Chavez, who voted to override the veto and co-authored the fee schedule change, said: “As a council member who represents the Southside Green Zone and a district disproportionately affected by pollution, we can” “We can’t wait longer to take action against our city’s polluters.”

Council Vice President Aisha Chughtai released a statement saying: “I am so grateful to Councilor Wonsley for almost three years of diligent work in introducing this fee. We know the climate crisis is disproportionately impacting communities of color and low-income communities, we must come together.” This crisis with urgent solutions shows the City Council’s refusal to delay such critical work. This is the third veto issued by Mayor Frey this term and the third override by the City Council. Stand by the will of our residents.”

What the Minneapolis Department of Health says

Minneapolis Department of Public Health Deputy Commissioner Patrick Hanlon was quoted as saying in a statement from the mayor’s office.

“The Ministry of Health wants to ensure that we implement legally defensible and effectively structured climate protection programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The current policy and fee recommendations need to be better aligned before we get to that point,” Hanlon said. “We must do our due diligence to ensure this program is successful and benefits our residents and the environment. This is not something to rush into and do wrong.”

What’s next?

The Minneapolis City Council said it is working to draft new legislation consistent with an implementation date of July 1, 2025.

The council also approved a legislative directive to complete a carbon fee study by May 1.

The council added that the annual pollution control registration is scheduled to come into effect on July 1, 2025, after pushing back the original start date of January 1, 2025.

The Minneapolis Health Department must also develop a program that can be implemented by July 1, 2025.

It remains to be seen whether legal challenges will arise that could prevent the Pollution Control Registration Program from becoming a reality.