May 21, 2007

Contact:
Bill Grant- IWLA: 612-750-2197
Michael Noble- Fresh Energy: 612-963-1268

Clean Energy Minnesota Applauds Next Generation Energy Act of 2007
Significant First Steps Towards Global Warming Solutions and Energy Efficiency by Legislature and Governor

(St. Paul, MN) … Minnesota has become the first state in the Upper Midwest to commit to meaningful action on global warming.  “Clean Energy Minnesota applauds the Minnesota House and Senate who capped a session already filled with earlier clean energy achievements with the overwhelming passage of S.F. 145, the Next Generation Energy Act of 2007,” said Clean Energy Minnesota co-chairs Lola Schoenrich and Nancy Lange. The bill passed with a wide margin of bipartisan support and is now on its way to Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) for his signature. 

“Minnesota assumed its rightful leadership position on driving forward global warming solutions,” says Bill Grant of the Izaak Walton League of America.  “Within two years, we will have the policies in place to start reversing the trend of ever-growing global warming pollution.  It’s the only way we’re going to start tackling this challenge.”

A key component of the legislation is an economy-wide climate change action plan that must be submitted to the Legislature by February 1, 2008.  The plan is to achieve interim benchmarks and the long-term goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050, using 2005 as the base year.  “Minnesota legislators were nearly unanimous in their agreement that now is the time to begin deep reductions in global warming pollution.  We are moving toward the 80 percent reductions scientists agree are needed along with the economic development it can bring to our region,” says Michael Noble of Fresh Energy. 

Sara Rummel of Clean Water Action agreed that with passage of this bill, “Minnesota is no longer passing global warming on to the next generation to fix.  Today, we achieved a brighter future.”

The legislation also sets an aggressive target for boosting supplies of the cleanest, cheapest form of new energy – energy efficiency.  The new law calls for increasing the amount of energy saved in the use of electricity and natural gas by 1.5 percent a year in order to reach 25 percent savings by 2025.
 
“We’ll reach Minnesota’s global warming goals in large part through saving, rather than consuming, those kilowatts of electricity or therms of natural gas,” says Sheldon Strom of the Center for Energy and Environment.   “In the process, energy efficiency will put dollars back into Minnesotan’s pockets.  It is the most consumer-friendly way to fight global warming.”

Statewide regulations that directly limit state power sector carbon dioxide emissions must be established by August 1, 2009 and Minnesota is encouraged to work with other states to accomplish this in the most efficient, cost effective manner. 

If the state fails to take action by that date, there is protection in place to mitigate any new emissions from the electric power sector.  These emissions must be offset from other sources that will provide carbon dioxide reductions that are permanent and verifiable.

“We have every confidence that the state can achieve this first milestone, but it is only the first step,” says Christopher Childs, Conservation Chair of the Sierra Club North Star Chapter.  "For Minnesota to make global warming solutions a reality, the path ahead requires continuous, ardent commitment of government, business, and citizens working actively together."

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is also directed to estimate and factor in the costs of future carbon dioxide regulation when it examines proposals for new power supply.  “Federal action on global warming is coming,” notes Barbara Freese, representing the Union of Concerned Scientists, “and it’s clear that the legislature wants the PUC to pay attention to the very real costs new pollution sources will face.”

“Minnesota took this first step of accepting responsibility for how carbon dioxide emissions are affecting our environment,” according to Kevin Reuther of Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.  “It’s an essential move forward.”