Minnesota

Definitions

Planning and Measurement | Targets and Caps | Reporting | Power Sector | Transportation Sector

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Planning and Measurement

State Advisory Board

Status: Completed

Details: Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty outlined a four-part energy initiative on January 17, 2008, which emphasizes local projects and research and development assistance. The Governor plans to create, via Executive Order, the Clean Energy Technology Collaborative-a 15-member panel appointed by the Governor that will develop a Clean Energy Technology Roadmap. In addition, he hopes to establish the Minnesota Office of Energy Security, which will coordinate energy and climate issues throughout the Governor's administration.
Governor Tim Pawlenty created the Climate Change Advisory Group established in April 2007 as a part of his Next Generation Energy Initiative.

Regional Initiatives

Status: Completed/Further Work Proposed

Details: On April 23, 2008, the Minnesota Senate and House approved bills setting general guidelines for the Legislature's role in a regional, market-based system to control greenhouse gas emissions. The House version of the Green Solutions Act of 2008 directs the Legislature to approve any regional cap-and-trade accord and authorizes studies on the program's effects on the environment, the economy, and public health and on how program revenue would be handled.
An advisory panel created by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty approved a mixture of strategies on January 24, 2008, that would reduce the state's GHG emissions by up to 30% by 2025. The panel recommended that the state participate in a regional cap-and-trade system for carbon GHG emissions.
Member of the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord, signed on November 15, 2007.
Powering the Plains Participant - Participants meet quarterly to develop and implement strategies, policies, initiatives and projects in energy and agriculture that add value to the region's economy while reducing the risk of climate change and other environmental concerns. Specific focus areas include renewable energy development, hydrogen production, carbon sequestration, coal gasification, and environmental credit trading.
Member of Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium (LADCO) Regional GHG Registry.

GHG Inventory

Status: Completed

Details: Senate File 3337, passed by the Governor on May 12, 2008, requires the state's Department of Commerce and Pollution Control Agency to track greenhouse gas emissions and make interim reduction recommendations toward meeting the state's goal of reducing emissions by 80% by 2050.
An advisory panel created by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty approved a mixture of strategies on January 24, 2008 that would reduce the state's GHG emissions by up to 30% by 2025. One of the proposed strategies is the development of GHG inventories, forecasting, reporting, and a registry. Minnesota completed an initial inventory in 1995.

Climate Change Action Plan

Status: Completed

Details: In April 2008, the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group issued its final report with recommendations to the Governor for reducing Minnesota's GHG emissions. In December 2006, Governor Pawlenty announced the state's Next Generation Energy Initiative, including development of an aggressive plan to reduce GHG emissions in Minnesota. The original state plan was developed in February 2003 by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency through an EPA grant.

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Targets and Caps

Lead by Example Target

Status: No Activity Identified

Statewide GHG Target

Status: Completed

Details: The Next Generation Energy Act of 2007, signed by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty on May 25, 2007, outlines goals for statewide GHG emissions reductions: 15% by 2015; 30% by 2025; and 80% by 2050.
Member of the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord, signed on Nov. 15, 2007. Under the Accord, members agree to establish regional GHG reduction targets, including a long-term target of 60% to 80% below current emissions levels, and develop a multi-sector cap-and-trade system to help meet the targets.

Statewide GHG Cap

Status: Proposed

Details: Member of the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord, signed on November 15, 2007. Under the Accord, members agree to establish regional GHG reduction targets, including a long-term target of 60% to 80% below current emissions levels, and develop a multi-sector cap-and-trade system to help meet the targets.

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Reporting

Electricity Disclosure

Status: Completed

Details: In September 2002, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission issued an order requiring utilities to disclose information on fuel mix and emissions to customers semi-annually.

GHG Registry

Status: In Progress

Details: On April 3, 2008, the Minnesota Senate passed Senate File 3341, which would create a form for businesses to voluntarily track their energy use and efficiency.
An advisory panel created by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty approved a mixture of strategies on January 24, 2008, that would reduce the state's GHG emissions by up to 30% by 2025. One of the proposed strategies is the development of GHG inventories, forecasting, reporting, and a registry.
Member of The Climate Registry - a collaboration aimed at developing and managing a common GHG emissions reporting system across states, provinces, and tribes. It will provide an accurate, complete, consistent, transparent, and verified set of GHG emissions data from reporting entities, supported by a robust accounting and verification infrastructure. Members released a final General Reporting Protocol in May 2008. The Climate Registry plans to start accepting data in summer 2008.

Mandatory GHG Reporting

Status: No Activity Identified

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Power Sector

CO₂ Offset Requirements

Status: Proposed

Details: On September 7, 2007, seven regional utilities that propose building a $1.6 billion coal-fired power plant announced that they have agreed to offset the CO2 emissions of the plant's Minnesota customers. Under the agreement, the seven utilities would be allowed to choose their own methods to offset the carbon. No activity listed in association with this development because it is not a requirement. In December 2006, Governor Pawlenty proposed, as a part of his Next Generation Energy Initiative, that Minnesota utilities begin offsetting carbon emissions from new fossil-fuel generation sources.

GHG Performance Standard

Status: No Activity Identified

Advanced Coal Technology

Status: Completed/Further Work Proposed

Details: An advisory panel created by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty approved a mixture of strategies on January 24, 2008, that would reduce the state's GHG emissions by up to 30% by 2025. One of the proposed strategies would create advanced fossil fuel technology incentives, support, or requirements including carbon capture and storage.
Minnesota law (passed in 2003) provides for incentives for "innovative energy projects" using coal as fuel in a highly efficiency combined cycle configuration and that significantly reduce emissions of criteria pollutants.

Power Sector GHG Cap and Trade

Status: Proposed

Details: In April 2008, the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group issued its final report with recommendations for a climate action plan. The advisory group recommended that the state join with its regional Midwestern Accord Partners to create a multi-sector cap-and-trade program. The Next Generation Energy Act of 2007, signed by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty in May 2007, called for the development of the action plan.

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