Controversy is brewing whether Minnesota should preempt a new national policy regarding greenhouse gas emissions reporting.
HF774, sponsored by Rep. Kate Knuth (DFL-New Brighton), would create a statewide reporting system for greenhouse gas emissions, so that Minnesota could compare actual data to its Next Generation Energy goals for reducing emissions. Current emissions data is based on estimates, not on actual data, Knuth said.
Coincidentally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a 1,300-page rule on the subject March 10, the same day the bill was narrowly approved by the House Environment Policy and Oversight Committee and sent to the House State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections Committee. A companion, SF444, sponsored by Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-Duluth), awaits action by the Senate Finance Committee.
Mike Robertson, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce environmental policy consultant, said the chamber does not support the bill.
“We agree with the need to do greenhouse gas emissions reporting. The initial reports we’ve seen (at the national level) says that the rule will require the reporting of 85 to 90 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in the United States,” Robertson said. “Our concern is that any rule adopted at the state level be consistent with, and not have significant discrepancies or diversions from, the federal reporting.”
Robertson compared the federal reporting requirement to an amendment on HF774 that would limit commercial reporting of carbon di
Doling out resources
Omnibus environment and natural resources law also contains energy provisions
(view full story)
Published 6/1/2010
Definitions matter
Language for environment and energy spending called into question
(view full story)
Published 5/13/2010
Supplant or supplement?
Some think constitutionally dedicated funds may be filling traditional funding void
(view full story)
Published 4/29/2010
Sinking the law on sunken timber
DNR intends to let sleeping logs lie
(view full story)
Published 4/29/2010
Minnesota Index: Earth, wind and fire
Figures and statistics on Earth Day and the environment
(view full story)
Published 4/15/2010
Minnesota Index: Quality of life
Figures and statistics on Minnesota's quality of life
(view full story)
Published 3/25/2010
Talkin’ trash
PCA discovers interpreting the letter of the law isn’t easy
(view full story)
Published 3/18/2010
Land wHOa!
Audit suggests DNR has more land than they can manage
(view full story)
Published 3/11/2010
Safe Drug Disposal Act
Leftover drugs find their way to fish and teens
(view full story)
Published 2/11/2010
At Issue: Money for outdoors, arts gets green light
Legacy bill passes but still needs work
(view full story)
Published 5/29/2009
At Issue: Unearthing the state’s past
Legacy bill moves through final process quickly, awaits floor action
(view full story)
Published 5/8/2009
At Issue: Funding environment and energy
Conferees make additional spending cuts
(view full story)
Published 5/8/2009
First Reading: Wildfire in slow motion
Emerald ash borer ignites prevention policies
(view full story)
Published 5/1/2009
At Issue: Animal, vegetable, mineral … or chemical?
Toxic Free Kids Act survives House floor omnibus debate
(view full story)
Published 4/24/2009
At Issue: Control-alt-delete
Electronic waste collections called ‘too successful’
(view full story)
Published 4/10/2009
Minnesota Index: Extreme weather
Figures and statistics on weather records in Minnesota
(view full story)
Published 4/10/2009
At Issue: Spending new proceeds
Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council considers projects for new tax receipts
(view full story)
Published 2/6/2009