HF 3661

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; creating coordinated process for reducing greenhouse gas
emissions; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216H.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [216H.07] GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION REDUCTION
ATTAINMENT; POLICY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purpose of this section, the terms defined in
this subdivision have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Commerce.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Reductions" means the greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals specified in
section 216H.02, subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin This section is intended to create a nonexclusive, regular,
mandated process for the state to develop policies to attain the greenhouse gas reduction
goals specified in section 216H.02.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Quantification of annual reduction required. new text end

new text begin By November 1 of each
year, the commissioner shall provide to the legislature and also disseminate through
available public channels the reductions required in each year until 2050. The reductions
must be based on and supported by the best available technical evidence that also must be
provided to the legislature and publicly disseminated in easily understood nontechnical
terms.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Annual strategic plan. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall include in the annual
report under subdivision 3 a detailed plan for attaining the reductions. The plan must
include draft legislation, including any budget requests, that are necessary for reduction
attainment. The plan must specify the reductions that are required for a year and the
reductions attributable to each component of the plan proposed to attain the reduction.
The plan must be based on the principles specified in subdivision 5.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Reduction principles. new text end

new text begin The reduction plan must be based on the following
principles:
new text end

new text begin (1) the reductions must be attained;
new text end

new text begin (2) the reductions must be attained on a schedule that keeps pace with the reduction
timetable required by section 216H.02, subdivision 1;
new text end

new text begin (3) conservation, including ceasing some activities, doing some activities less, and
doing some activities more energy efficiently, is the first choice for reduction;
new text end

new text begin (4) public education is a key component;
new text end

new text begin (5) all levels of government should lead by example; and
new text end

new text begin (6) strategies that may lead to economic dislocation should be phased in and should
be coupled with strategies that address the dislocation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Public education. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall include in every plan a public
education component. The education component must provide the latest evidence on
the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The education component must stress that
the reductions not only seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also to conserve
nonrenewable fossil fuel resources that have a dwindling supply. The fact that this
dwindling supply may ultimately lead to the elimination of certain activities that are
proposed to be limited by a plan must be emphasized.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Other states. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall include in the plan a review of
the activities of other states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including a review of
budgetary initiatives to achieve reductions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Stakeholder involvement. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall allow for public
comment on the plan and shall seek advice from interested persons in its development.
The commissioner shall make a formal presentation of the plan to the Legislative Electric
Energy Task Force at a meeting called for that purpose in November of each year. The
commissioner shall provide the task force members with a preliminary draft plan by
October 1 of each year.
new text end