Wow, we hear about California this and California that, occasionally some Vermont or Oregon thrown in, once in awhile someone will know that Texas is a wind capitol.
But I can’t remember anyone ever mentioning that, when it comes to a serious program to address global heating, Minnesota rocks!
Just for comparison, note how weak and pallid Oregon’s renewable energy standard (which only applies to electricity, not energy) is compared to Minnesota’s comprehensive greenhouse gas law.
From the Union of Concerned Scientists:
Minnesota:
On May 20, the Minnesota Legislature overwhelmingly passed groundbreaking global warming, energy efficiency, and community-based energy legislation that Governor Tim Pawlenty has said he will sign into law.The bill sets a goal of reducing statewide global warming pollution across all sectors to 80 percent below 2005 levels by 2050. To accomplish these goals, the legislation requires the state to establish a carbon cap and trade program and to develop and implement a regional approach to reducing global warming pollution. …
The bill increases annual energy savings in conservation improvement programs to 1.5 percent per year, which will result in a 25 percent decrease in Minnesota’s electric and natural gas use by 2025. The law also requires utilities to consider community-based renewable energy for the satisfaction of the standard. UCS Minnesota consultant Barbara Freese was integrally involved in the passage of the bill.
Oregon:
On May 23, the Oregon House passed a 25 percent by 2025 renewable energy standard, making Oregon the twenty-third state plus the District of Columbia to adopt a renewable electricity standard. Governor Kulongoski has said he will sign the bill into law.
