Minneapolis would start having more formal discussions with its utility companies to reduce the city's greenhouse gas emissions under new franchise agreements released Thursday.

The proposed agreements with Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy, to be reviewed at a hearing on Monday, would create a new public-private board aimed largely at boosting the use of renewable energy in the city.

More specifically, the "Clean Energy Partnership" would develop plans to help the city meet its Climate Action Plan goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent in 2025 and 80 percent in 2050 -- from 2006 levels. It would also work toward the goals of the 2040 Energy Vision, which says energy should be "reliable, affordable, local and clean."

"The Parties intend jointly and cooperatively to study, prioritize, plan, coordinate, implement as reasonably possible and permitted, market, track and report progress on clean energy activities in the city in support of the City's Plan and 2040 Energy Vision," the proposed agreement says. "The parties shall determine the tasks necessary to achieve these goals, direct execution of tasks, and report the results of these tasks."

The new franchise agreements with Xcel and CenterPoint follow loud calls in 2013 for a municipal utility. Proposals to put the issue on the ballot fizzled, however.

Laura McCarten, regional vice president for Northern States Power, an Xcel subsidiary, said the partnership is a new model for the company.

"It's a commitment on the part of all three of us that we're going to work together in this collaborative way to find those things we can do that will help the city achieve its energy goals," McCarten said.

The franchise agreements would last 10 years, with two optional five-year extensions. The previous franchise agreements lasted 20 years.

Among the goals of the board (page 6) will be to help the city reduce its overall greenhouse gas emissions, including the use of LED streetlights.