City Council Meeting Date: March 2, 2021
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Beth Kallestad, Program Coordinator
Title
Consider resolution of support for the Clean Cars Minnesota rulemaking.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is asked to adopt a resolution of support for the Clean Cars Minnesota rulemaking which staff will submit as comments in the rulemaking process.
Summary Report:
In 2007 Tim Pawlenty signed into legislation the Next Generation Energy Act. This legislation directed our state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2015, 30% by 2025, and 80% by 2050 (from 2005 levels). Minnesota did not hit the 2015 target and is not on pace to meet future goals.
Minnesota has made progress towards our Next Generation Energy Act goals, namely in the electricity sector. Energy production has dropped its emissions by almost 30% through a mix of targeted state policy and independent market actions. That leaves transportation as Minnesota's number one source of greenhouse gases and Minnesota's greatest opportunity for emission reduction.
In late 2019, Governor Walz announced that Minnesota would be joining 14 other states and the District of Columbia in adopting "clean car standards," which are regulations and incentives for the auto industry aimed at reducing pollution and giving customers more choices. The MPCA has been given the authority by the state though statute 116.70 subd 2(a) to act on reducing emissions in order to protect Minnesota air, water and health. This new initiative "Clean Cars Minnesota" directed the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to lead the rulemaking process. If approved, Minnesota's clean car standards would apply to new vehicles beginning with model year 2025 (January 2024).
Clean Car standards are regulations and incentives for the auto industry aimed at reducing pollution and giving customers more choices. They apply to automakers only and aim to reduce greenhouse gase...
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