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HF 375

2nd Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
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A bill for an act
relating to the environment; enacting Global Warming Mitigation Act; setting
goals and requiring plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; requiring Public
Utilities Commission to consider greenhouse gas emissions in generation
resource acquisitions; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 216H.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [216H.001] FINDINGS; CITATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) The legislature finds that the state has a vital interest in preventing or mitigating
harms associated with global warming and in reducing Minnesota's greenhouse gas
emissions. The legislature recognizes that substantial reductions in emissions of
greenhouse gases are necessary to avoid dangerous climate changes in the future. The
legislature finds that taking steps to reduce Minnesota's greenhouse gas emissions today
and planning for long-term reductions will reduce the need for more disruptive emission
reductions later, and that to achieve the purposes of this act, all emissions associated
with electricity generated or consumed within the state must be subject to the state's
emissions-reduction goals. The legislature further finds that Minnesota's economy will
benefit by showing leadership in the transition away from climate-damaging technologies
and toward renewable power, biofuels, and energy efficiency. The legislature recognizes
that achieving these ends will only occur by close cooperation with other states and may
require the state to enter into binding agreements with other units of government.
new text end

new text begin (b) This chapter may be referred to as the Global Warming Mitigation Act of 2007.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [216H.01] DEFINITIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this
section have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Allowance. new text end

new text begin "Allowance" means limited authorization from a state
regulatory agency to emit up to one ton of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide equivalent
into the atmosphere. This limited authorization does not constitute a property right.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Cap and trade system. new text end

new text begin "Cap and trade system" means a regulatory system
that imposes a limit on the aggregate air pollutant emissions of a group of sources, requires
those subject to the cap to own an allowance for each ton of the air pollutant emitted, and
allows for market-based trading of those allowances.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Carbon dioxide equivalent. new text end

new text begin "Carbon dioxide equivalent" means the
quantity of a given greenhouse gas multiplied by its global warming potential.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Global warming potential. new text end

new text begin "Global warming potential" means a measure
of the radiative efficiency or heat-absorbing ability of a particular gas relative to that of
carbon dioxide after taking into account the decay rate of each gas, that is, the amount
removed from the atmosphere over a given number of years, relative to that of carbon
dioxide.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Greenhouse gas emissions source. new text end

new text begin "Greenhouse gas emissions source"
means any anthropogenic physical unit or process that releases greenhouse gases into
the atmosphere.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Greenhouse gases. new text end

new text begin "Greenhouse gases" include carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride or any other
chemical that is determined by the Pollution Control Agency to contribute comparably to
global climate change and that is emitted by anthropogenic sources.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin New large energy facility. new text end

new text begin "New large energy facility" means a large
energy facility as defined in section 216B.2421 that is not in operation as of January 1,
2007, but does not include a facility that (1) uses natural gas as a primary fuel, (2) is
designed to provide peaking, emergency backup, or contingency services, (3) uses a
simple cycle turbine technology, (4) is capable of achieving full load operations within 45
minutes of startup, and (5) has received a certificate of need under section 216B.243.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Person. new text end

new text begin "Person" has the meaning given in section 216E.01.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Statewide greenhouse gas emissions. new text end

new text begin "Statewide greenhouse gas
emissions" means the total annual emissions of greenhouse gases within the state and all
emissions of greenhouse gases from the generation of electricity imported from outside the
state and consumed in Minnesota. Emissions associated with transmission and distribution
line losses are included in this definition. Statewide emissions are expressed in tons of
carbon dioxide equivalent. Carbon dioxide that is injected into geological formations to
prevent its release to the atmosphere in compliance with applicable laws, and emissions
associated with the combustion of fuels other than coal, petroleum, and natural gas are not
counted as contributing to statewide greenhouse gas emissions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Statewide power sector carbon dioxide emissions. new text end

new text begin "Statewide power
sector carbon dioxide emissions" means the total annual emissions of carbon dioxide from
the generation of electricity within the state and all emissions of carbon dioxide from the
generation of electricity imported from outside the state and consumed in Minnesota.
Emissions associated with transmission and distribution line losses are included in this
definition. Carbon dioxide that is injected into geological formations to prevent its release
to the atmosphere in compliance with applicable laws, and emissions associated with
the combustion of fuels other than coal, petroleum, and natural gas are not counted as
contributing to statewide power sector carbon dioxide emissions.
new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [216H.02] GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS-REDUCTION GOALS.
new text end

new text begin It is the state's goal to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions to a level at least
15 percent below 2005 emission levels by 2015, to a level at least 30 percent below 2005
emission levels by 2025, and to a level at least 80 percent below 2005 emission levels
by 2050.
new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin [216H.04] GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS-REDUCTION PLAN.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Plan for achieving reductions. new text end

new text begin (a) By February 1, 2008, the
commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency and the Department of Commerce shall
submit a plan to the chairs of the senate and house of representatives committees with
jurisdiction over energy and environmental policy that contains recommendations on how
best to achieve the statewide greenhouse gas emissions-reduction goals established under
section 216H.02. The plan must also identify how best to reduce statewide greenhouse gas
emissions to a level at least 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. The plan must identify,
develop, and integrate a full range of greenhouse gas emissions-reduction activities across
all economic sectors, regions, and energy uses in the state, and estimate the costs and
benefits of each action. The plan must:
new text end

new text begin (1) estimate statewide greenhouse gas emissions for 2005 and make projections of
statewide greenhouse gas emissions for 2015, 2025, and 2050;
new text end

new text begin (2) estimate the statewide greenhouse gas emissions reductions anticipated from
implementation of existing state policies;
new text end

new text begin (3) include a cap and trade system as described in subdivision 3;
new text end

new text begin (4) recommend additional policies to achieve statewide greenhouse gas
emissions-reduction goals;
new text end

new text begin (5) include provisions that will ensure that existing policies are evaluated, and that at
least every five years any policy changes needed to achieve the statewide greenhouse gas
emissions-reduction goals are developed and recommended for legislative action;
new text end

new text begin (6) recommend a system to require the reporting of statewide greenhouse gas
emissions, identifying which facilities must report, how emission estimates should be
made, and other reporting requirements that will ensure the collection of emissions
information needed to reliably document statewide greenhouse gas emission levels and
implement the plan; and
new text end

new text begin (7) evaluate the option of exempting a project from the prohibitions contained in
section 216H.05, subdivision 1, if the project contributes a specified fee per ton of carbon
dioxide emissions emitted annually by the project, the proceeds of which would be used to
fund permanent, quantifiable, verifiable, and enforceable reductions in greenhouse gas
emissions that would not otherwise have occurred.
new text end

new text begin (b) In formulating the plan, the commissioners shall consider the broadest possible
set of mechanisms to reduce emissions, including, but not limited to, expanding the
electric sector cap and trade system established under subdivision 3 to include emissions
sources other than electricity generation and greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide;
scheduling reductions of the emissions cap; imposing greenhouse gas taxes, fines, and
other penalties; adopting emissions-reduction performance standards for sources of
greenhouse gases; establishing financial or other incentives to promote activities that will
reduce greenhouse gases; and enhancing existing policies that have the effect of lowering
greenhouse gas emissions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Planning process. new text end

new text begin The plan required under subdivision 1 must be
developed through a structured, broadly inclusive stakeholder-based review of potential
policies and initiatives that can be implemented in Minnesota to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. The stakeholder-based review process must be conducted by a nationally
recognized independent expert entity. The commissioner of commerce shall coordinate
executive branch participation with this stakeholder process.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Cap and trade system. new text end

new text begin (a) The plan must include a cap and trade system
incorporating, at a minimum, statewide power sector carbon dioxide emissions. The
cap and trade plan must:
new text end

new text begin (1) set an emissions cap at an initial level to prevent significant increases in statewide
greenhouse gas emissions above current levels, with a schedule for lowering the cap
periodically to help meet the state's emissions-reduction targets;
new text end

new text begin (2) maximize Minnesota's ability to enter into allowance trading relationships with
other states that have established or are in the process of establishing a cap and trade
system regulating greenhouse gas emissions;
new text end

new text begin (3) evaluate the feasibility of implementing a cap and trade system that does not
encompass the entire United States, and identify the impacts on the efficiency and
effectiveness of the cap and trade system if restricted to Minnesota alone, if expanded
to include surrounding midwestern states, and if Minnesota were to join other emerging
regional systems with states that are planning to implement a cap and trade system;
new text end

new text begin (4) evaluate whether and to what extent a party subject to the cap should receive
credit for offsetting emissions by implementing projects that reduce greenhouse gas
emissions from sources not subject to the cap or absorb and sequester greenhouse gases
from the atmosphere;
new text end

new text begin (5) include methods to ensure that all emissions reductions associated with projects
listed in clause (4) are permanent, quantifiable, verifiable, enforceable, and would not
have otherwise occurred;
new text end

new text begin (6) be designed to ensure that the proceeds from auctioning allowances are used to
benefit the public, including to help meet the state's emissions-reduction goals in the most
efficient and least disruptive way;
new text end

new text begin (7) estimate likely allowance prices under various scenarios, including the impact
on allowance prices of constructing additional power plants subject to the cap and trade
system;
new text end

new text begin (8) recommend ways to minimize any rate impacts on energy consumers;
new text end

new text begin (9) suggest procedures to award appropriate credit to entities that have voluntarily
reduced their greenhouse gas emissions prior to implementation of the cap and trade
system;
new text end

new text begin (10) ensure to the extent practicable that emissions reductions made in this state do
not cause emissions increases outside the state;
new text end

new text begin (11) identify technologies and industries likely to thrive in a carbon-constrained
future;
new text end

new text begin (12) maximize economic development in rural areas from the development of
renewable energy sources and proven terrestrial sequestration practices; and
new text end

new text begin (13) suggest methods to calculate carbon dioxide emissions associated with
electricity imported from outside the state.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Regional activities. 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, including consulting
on expanding the cap and trade system described in subdivision 3. The commissioner
of commerce shall coordinate Minnesota's regional activities under this subdivision
and report to the legislative committees in the senate and house of representatives with
jurisdiction over energy and environmental policy by February 1, 2008, and February 1,
2009, on the progress made and recommendations for further action.
new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin [216H.05] NO LONG-TERM INCREASE FROM POWER PLANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Long-term increased emissions from power plants prohibited.
new text end

new text begin Until the cap and trade system described in section 216H.04, subdivision 3, is fully
implemented, and except as allowed in subdivision 2, no person shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) construct within the state a new large energy facility that would contribute to
statewide power sector carbon dioxide emissions;
new text end

new text begin (2) import or commit to import from outside the state power from a new large energy
facility that would contribute to statewide power sector carbon dioxide emissions; or
new text end

new text begin (3) enter into a new long-term power purchase agreement that would increase
statewide power sector carbon dioxide emissions. For purposes of this section, a long-term
power purchase agreement means an agreement to purchase 50 megawatts of capacity or
more for a term exceeding five years. This prohibition does not apply to an agreement in
effect as of January 1, 2007, nor to the renewal of such an agreement.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Exception for facilities that offset emissions. new text end

new text begin (a) The prohibitions in
subdivision 1 do not apply if the project proponent demonstrates to the Public Utilities
Commission's satisfaction that it will offset the new contribution to statewide power sector
carbon dioxide emissions with a carbon dioxide reduction project identified in paragraph
(b) and in compliance with paragraph (c).
new text end

new text begin (b) A project proponent may offset the new contribution to statewide power sector
carbon dioxide emissions in either, or a combination of both, of the following ways:
new text end

new text begin (1) by reducing an existing facility's contribution to statewide power sector carbon
dioxide emissions in an amount equal to or greater than the proposed new contribution to
statewide power sector carbon dioxide emissions; or
new text end

new text begin (2) by purchasing carbon dioxide allowances from a state or group of states that
has a mandatory carbon dioxide cap and trade system in place that produces verifiable
emissions reductions.
new text end

new text begin (c) The Public Utilities Commission shall not find that a proposed carbon dioxide
reduction project identified in paragraph (b) acceptably offsets a new contribution
to statewide power sector carbon dioxide emissions unless the proposed offsets are
permanent, quantifiable, verifiable, enforceable, and would not have otherwise occurred.
Emissions that have been offset under this subdivision and emissions exempted under
subdivision 3 continue to be subject to the requirements of the cap and trade system
described in section 216H.04, subdivision 3, when implemented.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Exception for new steel production facility. new text end

new text begin The prohibitions in
subdivision 1 do not apply to increases in statewide power sector carbon dioxide
emissions from that portion of a new large energy facility or new long-term power
purchase agreement that supplies electricity to a new steel production project located in a
taconite tax relief area that has applied for an air quality permit from the Pollution Control
Agency prior to January 1, 2007, provided that the commission determines that the new
steel production project is designed to meet the highest energy efficiency standards in its
industry.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Enforcement. new text end

new text begin Whenever the commission or department determines that
any person is violating or about to violate this section, it shall refer the matter to the
attorney general who shall take appropriate legal action. This section may be enforced by
the attorney general on the same basis as a law listed in section 8.31, subdivision 1.
new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin [216H.06] GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS CONSIDERATION IN
RESOURCE PLANNING.
new text end

new text begin By January 1, 2008, the Public Utilities Commission shall establish an estimate of
the likely range of costs of future carbon dioxide regulation on electricity generation.
The estimate, which may be made in a commission order, must be used in all electricity
generation resource acquisition proceedings. The estimates, and annual updates, must be
made following informal proceedings that allow interested parties to submit comments.
new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [216H.07] ENFORCEABILITY.
new text end

new text begin In addition to any other remedies provided by law, the failure to carry out any
requirement established by or pursuant to this chapter shall be treated as a violation of an
environmental standard and is enforceable under chapter 116B.
new text end