Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) Climate Change Initiative Presented By: Will Seuffert, Executive Director, EQB MEPC, March 2014

Transcription

1 Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) Climate Change Initiative Presented By: Will Seuffert, Executive Director, EQB MEPC, March

2 Environmental Quality Board Governor s representative Nine Agency Commissioners Administration Agriculture Commerce Employment & Economic Development Health Natural Resources Pollution Control Transportation Water & Soil Resources Five Citizen Members Metropolitan Council 2

3 Executive Order 25,

4 The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) draws together the Governor s Office, five citizens, and the heads of nine state agencies to coordinate the development of environmental policy and plans, and ensure adequate review of proposed projects that would significantly influence Minnesota s environment and development.

5 MS 103A, 103B, 116C and 116D provide for the Environmental Quality Board to: administer the statewide environmental review program; coordinate environmental policy, agencies and programs; develop the state water plan and water policy reports; study environmental issues; convene environmental congresses; and advise the governor and the legislature. 5

6 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE EQB was established in 1973 as the state s environmental coordinating body. Over the last 40 years it has undertaken a broad range of environmental studies, barge fleeting on the Mississippi River, animal agriculture, forestry, urban development, copper-nickel mining, genetically modified organisms, land use management, water management, and sustainable development (decentralization of environmental review), 1983 (addition of water planning duties), 1987 (environmental review and siting requirements for large natural gas and petroleum product pipelines), 6

7 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE 1991 (energy and environment strategy reporting), 1995 (siting of large wind energy conversion systems), 2003 (elimination of the Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning, which provided administrative and staff support to the EQB), and 2005 (transfer of energy facilities siting to the Department of Commerce and the Public Utilities Commission). 7

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9 EQB in Recent Years 2011 Legislative Session Administrative Reorganization Executive Order Citizen Forums Environmental Congress GICD 2013 Session Silica Sand 9

10 Why is EQB Addressing Climate Change? State Law 116D: The board shall review programs of state agencies that significantly affect the environment and coordinate those it determines are interdepartmental in nature, and insure agency compliance with state environmental policy. We have heard from the public at the Environmental Congress and at listening forums, they want the state to take action and lead. The Governors Institute on Community Design recommended that the EQB be the central point for implementing and tracking the State s climate change efforts. 10

11 Aggressive State Goals Reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions to a level at least 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2015, to a level at least 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2025, and to a level at least 80 percent below 2005 levels by

12 Where Minnesota s greenhouse gas emissions come from 12

13 How are we doing? 13

14 Emissions Report Card 14

15 Phase 1:Frame the situation Develop Minnesota s framework for climate action by identifying challenges, opportunities, and clean energy success stories. Design a report card on Minnesota s emissions and energy portfolio. End Product: User friendly document on the framework, a one-stop shop on climate website, public engagement forums. 15

16 Phase 2: Analyze potential policy impacts In 2008, The Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group quantified the impact of potential policies for emissions reductions and cost effectiveness Next steps: Identify new policy options that should be analyzed things that were not considered or were not thought possible in 2008, such as electric vehicles Update the key assumptions related to implementation and expected benefits of policies to reflect all the changes since For instance, the natural gas revolution, new federal motor vehicle standards, etc End Product: Analysis of the economic and environmental impact of policy options 16

17 Phase 3: Align clean energy and economic development Minnesota was chosen as one of four states by the National Governor's Association to help align clean energy and economic development The Team: DEED, EQB, Energy Office, Governor s office, LEC. And input from stakeholders through meetings and a survey of industries End Product: A market assessment that will allow us to develop a strategic action plan that aligns clean energy and economic development efforts across industries and across the state 17

18 Climate Action Opportunities State level policy recommendations based on analysis of emissions reductions, job growth, cost effectiveness Toolbox for local governments: provide technical assistance, identify funding sources, provide information for lowering emissions and boosting economies 18

19 Public Engagement is always part of our process Board meetings: Every month the EQB board meets to hear testimony and to discuss pressing environmental issues. These are always open to the public and allow for the public to ask questions. Youth Engagement: February 2013 Next Generation Congress gave youth an opportunity to discuss environmental issues. EQB is continuing to work with youth networks and to build partnerships with youth organizers. Environmental Report Card: In the past EQB published white papers to assess Minnesota s environmental issues. We are now developing a website that will allow us to continually update this information. This site will also include our climate clearing house with links to key information and programs on state agency websites. 19

20 Questions? 20

21 Will Seuffert Office: