Walz’s clean air plan hurts Minnesota border towns

The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce has joined The Chamber  in Grand Forks / East Grand Forks in urging Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to stop, or at least delay, his plan to impose new air emissions standards for vehicles in his state.

The organizations, along with about a dozen other border community groups, co-signed a May 25 letter to Walz outlining their concerns over his proposed “Clean Cars” policy.  The groups say the price increase from the rule would fall hardest on Minnesota’s border communities.

Chamber President Barry Wilfahrt says anytime Minnesota enacts a rule or regulation that is stricter than North Dakota it creates an even less level playing field between the two states from a business climate perspective.   Wilfahrt says the regional MSA functions best when the regulatory environments are close.

KNOX/AP contributed to this report