as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
A bill for an act
relating to energy; requiring a process to develop policies to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions; requiring a report; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 216C.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
new text begin
(a) The commissioner of commerce,
on behalf of the executive branch and in coordination with the commissioners of the
Pollution Control Agency, natural resources, agriculture, employment and economic
development, and transportation, shall identify and invite a nationally recognized
independent expert entity to conduct a structured, broadly inclusive stakeholder-based
process to develop potential policies and initiatives that can be implemented to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from activities in this state. The purpose of this effort is to
identify, develop, and integrate a full range of state-level energy efficiency, renewable
energy, and other climate change actions, across all economic sectors, regions, and energy
uses in the state, and to develop a comprehensive climate change action plan that provides
substantial energy and emissions savings and related benefits for Minnesotaa??s citizens.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The end product of this technical, cost-benefit analysis must be a final report that
includes a thorough inventory and forecast of Minnesotaa??s greenhouse gas emissions,
an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions from state government operations, a series
of individual policy recommendations across all sectors and types of activities, and
recommended statewide goals for implementation. The commissioner of commerce
shall coordinate the activities of the executive branch participation with this stakeholder
process, and shall issue a Minnesota climate change action plan to the legislature by
February 1, 2008.
new text end
new text begin
The report in subdivision 1
must identify policy options, barriers, and economic impacts of completely reducing or
offsetting greenhouse gas emissions from state operations. The report must develop and
propose strategies to be implemented over multiyear time frames to overcome those
barriers. Recommendations for actions, policy changes, or new initiatives under this
subdivision must be guided by a goal that all departments and agencies of this state
achieve carbon-neutral operations under the following timeline:
new text end
new text begin
(1) 50 percent reduction in 2007 greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2010;
new text end
new text begin
(2) 70 percent reduction in 2007 greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2015;
new text end
new text begin
(3) 90 percent reduction in 2007 greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2020; and
new text end
new text begin
(4) 100 percent reduction in 2007 greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2025.
new text end
new text begin
It shall be an executive branch responsibility to work
with other states in the Midwest region to develop and implement a regional approach to
reducing greenhouse gas emissions from activities in the region. The commissioner of
commerce shall coordinate Minnesotaa??s regional activities and report by February 1 of
each year on the progress made and recommendations for further action.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end