If enacted, legislation would be strongest statewide clean transportation standard in the nation and first in the Midwest
March 10, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—The bicameral Clean Transportation Standard Act received initial approval in the Minnesota Legislature with passage March 9 out of the Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee.
The bill from Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Scott Dibble (DFL) and Representative Jeff Brand (DFL) is now referred to the Minnesota Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee.
The legislation would require a reduction of the carbon intensity of Minnesota’s transportation fuels by at least 25 percent below 2018 levels by 2030, 75 percent by 2040, and 100 percent by 2050. If enacted, it would be the strongest statewide clean transportation standard in the nation and the first in the Midwest.
The Great Plains Institute gave supportive testimony yesterday at the Senate committee hearing on behalf of the Minnesota Future Fuels Coalition, a diverse coalition representing automakers, electric vehicle manufacturers and charging providers, biofuel producers, and clean energy and conservation advocates.
Other supportive written testimony came from ChargePoint, Conservation Minnesota, Partnership on Waste and Energy, Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, and Union of Concerned Scientists.
Below are statements of support from five members of the Minnesota Future Fuels Coalition. Additional insight, background, and perspective is available upon request.
Craig McDonnell, Managing Director, Industry, Fresh Energy
“Minnesota has made great progress in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector, but we have fallen behind in making similar progress in other sectors of the economy like transportation. Transportation is now the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota and the Clean Transportation Standard is one strategy that Fresh Energy supports for tackling this critical problem.”
Whitney Clark, Executive Director, Friends of the Mississippi River
“Friends of the Mississippi River got engaged on this issue because we were concerned that a Clean Transportation Standard, if not carefully drafted, could increase pollution from agriculture to Minnesota’s surface and ground water. So we’re excited about this framework because we believe it will actually reduce agricultural runoff by creating a market demand for our next generation clean water crops that are good for farmers’ bottom line and for Minnesota’s waters.”
Debbie Goettel, Chair, Partnership on Waste and Energy
“By building robust markets for renewable and low-carbon fuels, including those from organics like food scraps and wood waste, the Clean Transportation Standard Act will help the state and counties achieve waste management and recycling goals that protect our air, land, water and public health. Organic waste, including food waste, represents an enormous, untapped clean energy resource that is widely available in Minnesota. Converting this resource into a biofuel like renewable natural gas substantially reduces the carbon impacts of waste and is an important step in supporting recycling of organic waste.”
Tom Van Heeke, Senior Environmental Policy Advisor, Rivian
“A clean transportation standard that rewards electrification will complement Minnesota’s clean cars program and other initiatives by creating powerful incentives for charging infrastructure deployment, fleet purchases of EVs, and other supportive investments up and down the value chain. This will accelerate the EV market’s growth and greenhouse gas reductions in the state.”
Jeremy Martin, Director of Fuels Policy, Union of Concerned Scientists
“Transportation is the biggest source of global warming pollution, and the Clean Transportation Standard is a proven policy to get the emissions reductions Minnesota needs. The legislation will accelerate electrification, cut pollution from fuel production, and build on the 100 Percent Clean Energy bill to move Minnesota to a cleaner future.”
About the Minnesota Future Fuels Coalition
The Minnesota Future Fuels Coalition, facilitated by the Great Plains Institute, is a broad coalition of stakeholders working together to implement the Minnesota Clean Transportation Standard Act, which is a clean fuels policy tailored to Minnesota. Coalition members include producers and marketers, electric utilities, environmental nonprofits, auto manufacturers, and agriculture and industry groups.
About the Great Plains Institute
A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the Great Plains Institute is transforming the energy system to benefit the economy and environment. Working across the US, we combine a unique consensus-building approach, expert knowledge, research and analysis, and local action to find and implement lasting solutions. Our work strengthens communities and provides greater economic opportunity through creation of higher-paying jobs, expansion of the nation’s industrial base, and greater domestic energy independence while eliminating carbon emissions. Learn more at www.betterenergy.org.
Media Contact:
Darren Goode
(202) 550-6619
