Minnesota Considers Clean Fuel Standard To Cut Emissions

It's billed as a "complementary policy" that would help the state transition people towards electric vehicles. The move towards a Minnesota Clean Fuel Standard was okayed by the Walz administration - directing state agencies to "determine if and how Minnesota should move forward with a CFS".  One of those next steps is coming up.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will host two public meeting sessions to "explore ways to reduce the impacts of climate change".  The sessions will be held in a virtual format on the following dates and times:

• Tuesday, December 14 - from 12 Noon to 1:30 PM
• Wednesday, December 15 - from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

The objectives of the two meetings are outlined by the two host agencies:

"MNDOT and the MDA are engaging stakeholders and listening to  the public as a key part of....[the] process.  That state's goals through this process including (sic) identifying action steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, create new jobs, attract new economic investments, and reduce air and water pollution in both urban and rural communities."

While a Clean Fuel Standard for Minnesota would aim to cut emissions, it would also help drive any switchover to electric vehicles that would occur.  According to MNDOT's website:

"A clean fuels policy is a market-driven approach that is fuel neutral and drives innovation. The government does not pick winners. There are similar examples from other states to learn from, but we want this to reflect the values of Minnesota."

MNDOT maintains a large variety of resource details about the proposal.  Their website also includes the links needed to take part in the virtual meeting sessions.