SF 2580

2nd Engrossment - 83rd Legislature (2003 - 2004) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

  1.1                          A bill for an act
  1.2             relating to energy; requiring the development of a 
  1.3             state plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from 
  1.4             electric generation facilities and other sources; 
  1.5             appropriating money. 
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  [CLIMATE PROTECTION PLAN.] 
  1.8      (a) The commissioner of commerce, with input from other 
  1.9   state agencies, shall propose a plan to reduce greenhouse gas 
  1.10  emissions from electric generation facilities and other sources 
  1.11  in the state.  The plan shall propose appropriate reduction 
  1.12  goals, a list of alternative cost-effective ways to achieve 
  1.13  those goals, and shall recommend specific actions necessary to 
  1.14  meet the goals, for each of the following sectors:  energy, 
  1.15  transportation, industrial, commercial, institutional, and 
  1.16  residential.  The plan must allow for a regional cap and trade 
  1.17  program involving emissions from sources in neighboring states.  
  1.18  The plan must allow sustainably managed forestry, agricultural, 
  1.19  and other natural resource activities to be used to sequester 
  1.20  greenhouse gas emissions.  The commissioner shall submit the 
  1.21  action plan to the Environmental Quality Board and to the chairs 
  1.22  of the legislative policy committees with jurisdiction over 
  1.23  energy, the environment and natural resources, agriculture, and 
  1.24  regulated industries by January 15, 2005. 
  1.25     (b) Until July 1, 2005, the Public Utilities Commission and 
  2.1   the Pollution Control Agency must promptly report any actions 
  2.2   they take or permit which would reasonably be expected to 
  2.3   increase or decrease the emission of greenhouse gases from 
  2.4   sources in the state.  Reports must be made to the chairs of the 
  2.5   legislative policy committees with jurisdiction over energy, the 
  2.6   environment and natural resources, agriculture, and regulated 
  2.7   industries. 
  2.8      (1) For purposes of this section, "greenhouse gases" means 
  2.9   carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, 
  2.10  perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride; and 
  2.11     (2) "cap and trade program" means a program that places a 
  2.12  ceiling on emissions of greenhouse gases and allows for the 
  2.13  trade of emission credits. 
  2.14     Sec. 2.  [APPROPRIATION.] 
  2.15     $20,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
  2.16  commissioner of commerce in fiscal year 2005 for the purpose of 
  2.17  carrying out the commissioner's duties under section 1.