Industry, labor, and environmental groups today called on Members of Congress to support legislation to be introduced by Congressman Mike Conaway (R-TX) to make permanent the existing federal carbon capture and storage incentive known as Section 45Q. The incentive is designed to spur commercial deployment of technologies to capture carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and industrial facilities for use in enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR), while permanently and safely storing that CO2 underground. Continue reading »
2015 Minnesota Legislative Session Recap: Bioeconomy Edition
July 6, 2015 in Transportation & Fuels Authors: Amanda Bilek, Brendan Jordan
It took the regular session, plus a one-day special session, but the Minnesota legislature has completed its work for 2015. The legislature convened in early January with a $1.9 billion projected budget surplus and had the task of setting a two-year state budget. Continue reading »
Update: MN Plug-in Vehicle Rebate Program Advances
May 6, 2015 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Brendan Jordan
A bill to create a new state rebate program for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) continues to advance in the Minnesota legislature. The PEV rebate provision was included in Representative Pat Garofalo’s omnibus energy and jobs bill (HF 843) that passed on the House floor on April 22. The bill would offer up $2,500 for anyone purchasing a new PEV.
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What’s the deal? Environmental and Bioindustry Agreement on Bioeconomy Bill
April 1, 2015 in Transportation & Fuels Authors: Amanda Bilek, Brendan Jordan
As has already been reported here and here, a major deal has been struck that brings the Bioeconomy Coalition of Minnesota and the Minnesota Environmental Partnership together in support of an amended version of the Bioeconomy bill in Minnesota. The agreement cleared a path in the Senate Energy and Environment Committee, where it had been stalled. The bill (HF 536/ SF 517) was amended on agreed-upon terms in House and Senate committees – the text of the Senate amendment is here. The text of the agreement is here. Continue reading »
New legislation would increase oil production & reduce carbon emissions
May 5, 2014 in Carbon Management Authors: Brad Crabtree, Jennifer Christensen
New legislation introduced by Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia will benefit the environment and economy, drive innovation in critical energy technology, and increase energy security. Continue reading »
Bioeconomy Bill Introduced in the Minnesota Legislature
March 5, 2014 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Brendan Jordan
Senator Tom Saxhaug, and Representative Jeanne Poppe have introduced a bill in the Minnesota legislature to help establish an advanced biofuel and renewable chemicals industry in Minnesota. The Bioeconomy Coalition of Minnesota, a multi-stakeholder partnership, is strongly supportive and will be working closely with Sen. Saxhaug and Rep. Poppe to advance the bill during the 2014 legislative session.