SF 3337

2nd Engrossment - 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) "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 Biennial reduction progress report. new text end

new text begin By January 15 of each odd-numbered
year, the commissioners of commerce and the Pollution Control Agency shall jointly
report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
primary policy jurisdiction over energy and environmental issues the most recent and best
available evidence identifying the level of reductions already achieved and the level
necessary to achieve the reductions timetable in section 216H.02. The report must be
in easily understood nontechnical terms.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Annual legislative proposal. new text end

new text begin The commissioners of commerce and the
Pollution Control Agency shall annually by January 15 provide to the chairs of the
legislative committees with primary policy jurisdiction over energy and environmental
issues proposed legislation the commissioners determine appropriate to achieve the
reductions. The legislation must be based on the principles in subdivision 5. If the
commissioners determine no legislation is appropriate, they shall report that determination
to the chairs along with an explanation of the determination.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Reduction principles. new text end

new text begin Legislation proposed under subdivision 4 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;
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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; and
new text end

new text begin (7) there must be coordination with other federal and regional greenhouse gas
emission reduction requirements so that the state benefits and is not penalized from its
reduction activities.
new text end