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Advisory group on climate change takes tentative first steps
The state panel OK'd some climate-change goals but steered away from making recommendations for strategies the energy industry might consider.
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A state advisory panel endorsed a handful of climate-change mitigation goals -- including lowering speed limits -- on Wednesday, but backed off recommending a wide range of high-impact strategies for the energy industry.
By getting behind energy conservation measures already in law and approving construction and building regulations designed to improve energy efficiencies, the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group took its first concrete steps since it began meeting in April.
But the assembly of several dozen leaders from business, environmental and other groups has only until Jan. 31 to forward to Gov. Tim Pawlenty a package of what could be more than 50 recommendations for how the state might meet the long-term greenhouse gas reduction goals set by Pawlenty and the Legislature.
Among the recommendations is looking at dropping interstate highway speed limits from 65 to 55 miles per hour in the city and 70 to 60 mph in the country. Others include the outline of a cap and a trading market for carbon dioxide emissions and recommendations for alternatives to fossil fuel energy. But they might also include exotic ideas for storing excessive atmospheric carbon and even for changing Minnesotans' driving habits.
On Wednesday, though, the group declined to give a nod to policies that would block energy producers from making long-term investments in coal-based energy and encourage utilities to become more efficient with existing plants, including possibly burning biomass - plant materials and animal waste - in place of coal.
Those ideas were sent back to the researchers following objections, largely from business and industry participants, that their costs hadn't been fine-tuned enough.
Mike Robertson, environmental policy director for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, posted a standing objection to nearly every provision examined by the group.
"The Minnesota Chamber is behind energy efficiency. But many of these [recommendations] would require government incentives, and we want to know what they are," he said.
Barbara Freese, a consultant with the Union of Concerned Scientists, an environmental advocacy group, agreed that the economic impacts need more study, but suggested it might not satisfy everyone on the panel.
"It will be hard to build consensus," she said. "But I'd be surprised if we didn't come up with a plan."
Sen. Ellen Anderson, DFL-St. Paul, sponsor of the bill that now requires utilities to produce energy with 25 percent renewable energy by 2025, said it's no surprise the panel would approve relatively noncontroversial items first. Whatever its ultimate recommendations, they are likely to be embraced at the Legislature, she said.
"They're going to have to look at some significant policy issues and probably will face some resistance from industry," Anderson said. "But they have a presumption of reflecting a broad cross-section of people. If those representatives sign on, I think they will have clout."
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Bill McAuliffe • 612-673-7646
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Current state office holders
Governor: Tim Pawlenty
One of only a few prominent Republicans to win a competitive re-election contest in the Democratic sweep of 2006, Tim Pawlenty is widely seen as politically shrewd and naturally likable.
- Lt. Governor: Carol Molnau
- Secretary of State: Mark Ritchie
- Attorney General: Lori Swanson
- State Auditor: Rebecca Otto
Minnesota's political giants: Learn more about the men and women who have shaped Minnesota's political history.
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