2015 Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 3 - 3E — LEGISLATURE
Chapter 3 — LEGISLATURE
Section 3.8852 — PLANNING STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE.
(a) The Legislative Energy Commission, in consultation with the commissioner of commerce and other state agencies, shall develop a framework for the state of Minnesota to transition to a renewable energy economy that ends Minnesota's contribution to greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels within the next few decades. The framework and strategy should aim to make Minnesota the first state in the nation to use only renewable energy.
(b) In developing the framework for this transition, the commission must consult with stakeholders, including, but not limited to, representatives from cooperative, municipal, and investor-owned utilities, natural resources and environmental advocacy groups, labor and industry, and technical and scientific experts to examine the challenges and opportunities involved to develop a strategy and timeline to protect the environment and create jobs. The timeline must establish goals and strategies to reach the state's renewable energy standards and prepare for the steps beyond reaching those standards. The Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources shall provide technical support.
(c) The commission and its stakeholders must consider the following in creating the framework:
(1) the economic and environmental costs of continued reliance on fossil fuels;
(2) the creation of jobs and industry in the state that result from moving ahead of other states in transitioning to a sustainable energy economy;
(3) the appropriate energy efficiency and renewable energy investments in Minnesota to reduce the economic losses to the Minnesota economy from importation of fossil fuels; and
(4) the new technologies for energy efficiency, storage, transmission, and renewable generation needed to reliably meet the demand for energy.
(d) The framework shall be modified as needed to take advantage of new technological developments to facilitate ending fossil fuel use in power generation, heating and cooling, industry, and transportation.
(e) The commission shall report to the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over energy policy by January 15, 2014, and annually thereafter, on progress toward achieving the framework goals.
History:2013 c 85 art 12 s 1
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