Who makes decisions that impact climate policy in Minnesota?
There are many layers of decision-making that determine how energy will be used in the state, thus impacting Minnesota's global warming pollution. The climate policies Fresh Energy advocates for are supported by citizens, organizations, and businesses, and many must be approved by the Minnesota State Legislature in order to become law. Key legislative committees involved in the process include those that deal with energy, environment, and commerce-related issues. The Legislative Electric Energy Task Force, now broadening its scope as the Legislative Energy Commission to include other energy sources beyond electricity, meets throughout the year to help guide and prioritize legislative discussions on energy matters.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), appointed by the Governor for six-year terms, sets rates and terms of service for many natural gas and electricity providers in the state. The PUC also approves the development of large energy facilities, including any consideration of new coal-fired power plants. It is the responsibility of the Commission to ensure utility services are delivered safely, reliably, and efficiently as they implement the state's energy policies set by the Legislature.

In addition, the Minnesota Department of Commerce and the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board have roles in determining how energy is used in the state. Minnesota's Governor can also issue Executive Orders for policies he/she sees as a priority.
 

Does Minnesota law require reductions in global warming pollution? 
The Green Solutions Act passed the 2008 Legislature after being supported by more than 12 committees and was signed into law by Governor Tim Pawlenty, providing funding for costs and benefits studies related to a regional cap-and-trade system to reduce global warming pollution. The bill also provides a team of Minnesota legislators the opportunity to monitor the Midwestern Governors Association process as they develop a regional program to limit and lower global warming pollution. Any cap-and-trade program designed for Minnesota and the Midwest must now be approved by the legislature prior to enactment.

In November of 2007, Governor Pawlenty, five other Midwestern governors and the Premier of Manitoba signed a landmark agreement that put our region on the path toward realizing a clean energy system. The Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord establishes the development of a region-wide program to limit and lower global warming pollution, reaching science-based emissions reductions targets and establishing a program for tracking and managing a regional cap and trade program. Midwest leaders also committed to increasing efficiency, investing in biobased products and transportation fuels, producing 30 percent of the region's electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and developing the technology to employ carbon capture and storage at the region's coal plants.

In the spring of 2007, the Minnesota State Legislature made history by passing the Next Generation Energy Act. This bill included tripling investment in energy efficiency in the state, as well as establishing science-based global warming pollution reduction targets of at least 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2015, 30 percent by 2025, and 80 percent by 2050. Also in 2007, Minnesota passed one of the strongest Renewable Electricity Standards (RES) in the nation, requiring Minnesota's investor-owned utilities to generate at least 25 percent of their power using renewable sources by 2025. 
 

How can Minnesota meet its global warming reduction goals in statute?
Fresh Energy staff was appointed to Governor Tim Pawlenty's 55-member Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group (MCCAG), convened to identify, evaluate, and recommend a plan to substantially reduce the state's global warming pollution. After nearly a year of analysis and discussion, in May 2008 MCCAG's final report recommended a suite of 54 policy solutions which, if enacted in full, would allow Minnesota to meet its goal of reducing global warming pollution 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. Fresh Energy is working with partners to help shape development of state and regional programs that limit and lower global warming pollution, and we advocate for the strongest possible state legislative proposals to reduce global warming pollution now. Many of MCCAG's recommendations have yet to be considered by the legislature, and Fresh Energy is working to make sure those priority policies rise to the top of the legislative agenda.
 

What current policies is Fresh Energy promoting to reduce global warming pollution?
Fresh Energy works daily at the state, regional, and national level to promote global warming solutions that help grow our economy, create jobs, and lead the transition to a new energy economy. Click here for some of our current policy priorities.

Are other states taking action to reduce global warming pollution?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has created a suite of maps that show the variety of initiatives states are implementing to reduce global warming pollution. These maps provide a summary of state activity across a range of climate policy areas. Maps are broken out by policy and provide details about each state's policy actions that include Planning and Measurement; Targets and Caps; Reporting; Power Sector; and Transportation Sector. Get more information. 

A growing number of states are finding that adopting global warming emissions reduction goals, similar to those passed in Minnesota in 2007, is not enough to prompt strong policy development to actually limit and lower global warming pollution. The good news is, seven states have now established science-based, mandatory global warming pollution limits. Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Hawaii, California, and Washington have committed in law to achieving deep reductions in global warming pollution. Given the lack of action at the federal level, it is essential that other states follow their lead and require mandatory cuts in emissions.