Minnesota Releases Plan to Reduce Harmful Vehicle Emissions

by Kim Wynn (Grand Forks Herald) The Department of Transportation aims to tackle vehicle pollution in an attempt to bolster use of electric cars and increase biofuels infrastructure. -- As Minnesota has failed to meet its goal of a 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 to 2015, the Department of Transportation is aiming to crack down on what it says is the largest cause of pollution in the state: vehicles.

To this end, the Department of Transportation last week released a report, "Pathways to Decarbonizing Transportation," that calls for the creation of a Sustainable Transportation Advisory Council, taking a leadership role in regional collaboration on electric vehicle corridors and analyzing greenhouse gas emissions in transportation projects.

The report calls for the creation of clean car standards and expansion of biofuels infrastructure.

“Decarbonizing transportation in Minnesota will capitalize on the state’s resource base, history of technology innovation and extraordinary market momentum toward cleaner mobility options,” said Rolf Nordstrom, president and CEO at the Great Plains Institute. “The report reflects the desire of residents across Minnesota for clean transportation, including building electric vehicle infrastructure and bolstering biofuels. Both rural and urban Minnesotans will see economic opportunity in this report.” READ MORE

Excerpt from Minnesota Department of Transportation: The Minnesota Department of Transportation today released Pathways to Decarbonizing Transportation in Minnesota, a new report that aims to get the State of Minnesota on track to meet future goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the 2007 Next Generation Energy Act.

“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is critical to MnDOT’s vision of maximizing the health of people, the environment and our economy,” said Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher. “I’m proud of the proactive efforts our team has taken to engage the public and other agencies in this discussion, and develop meaningful actions and recommendations that will help Minnesota achieve a low-carbon transportation future.”

The Pathways report includes a number of action items that MnDOT will pursue, including the creation of a Sustainable Transportation Advisory Council, regional collaboration on electric vehicle corridors, and analyzing GHG emissions in transportation projects.

Pathways makes additional state-level recommendations, including adoption of clean car standards that would require auto manufacturers to offer more models of EVs in Minnesota to improve consumer choice and help build the market for new and used EVs in the state.

To obtain public input on the topic, the Great Plains Institute facilitated meetings across the state and provided an online survey and webinar for additional feedback. Several themes emerged, including:

“Decarbonizing transportation in Minnesota will capitalize on the state’s resource base, history of technology innovation, and extraordinary market momentum toward cleaner mobility options,” said Rolf Nordstrom, President and CEO at the Great Plains Institute. “The report reflects the desire of residents across Minnesota for clean transportation, including building electric vehicle infrastructure and bolstering biofuels. Both rural and urban Minnesotans will see economic opportunity in this report.”

“Minnesotans are concerned about climate change and want to see meaningful action,” added Will Seuffert, Executive Director of the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. “With the transportation sector now the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state, this report lays an important foundation for advancing low-carbon transportation options.”

Pathways was funded by MnDOT and the Environmental Quality Board, and the project steering committee included the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Minnesota Department of Commerce. Staff from the McKnight Foundation provided technical expertise; Energy and Environmental Economics conducted modeling; and the Great Plains Institute facilitated stakeholder and public engagement.

The full Pathways to Decarbonizing Transportation in Minnesota report, prepared by MnDOT’s Office of Sustainability and Public Health, is available at: www.mndot.gov/sustainability/pathways READ MORE

Excerpt from NGT News: Earlier this week, the governor declared Sept. 23-29 “Climate Week” in Minnesota to highlight action necessary to mitigate climate change. He also recently established the Governor’s Biofuels Council, which will advise Walz on how to best expand the use of biofuels, increase the carbon efficiency of biofuels and implement biofuels as part of Minnesota’s larger goal to reduce GHG production in the transportation sector. READ MORE