Legislation & Politics
2008 Sierra Club Legislative Priorities
Global Warming “Cap, Trade, and Auction”
Legislation would authorize a “cap, trade, and auction” system that will limit and lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from multiple sectors of Minnesota’s economy. Once a “cap” or limit on emissions is set, polluting industries would have to pay for their global warming emissions under this cap by purchasing allowances auctioned by the state equal to the cap. Companies that can reduce their pollution at a cost less than the allowance price will do so, and those that cannot will buy allowances. This system uses market forces to lower the cost of emission reduction. We support a “cap, trade, and auction” system that establishes the following: 1) a stringent economy-wide cap on verifiable emissions; 2) 100% auction of permits; 3) no offsets; and 4) revenues reinvested to further reduce carbon emissions and reduce the impact on consumer bills through efficiency programs, etc.
Enact California Clean Car Standard
One of the most effective ways for our state to reduce its impact on global warming will be to join 13 other states in the nation and adopt California’s “clean car” global warming pollution standards for new passenger vehicles. These standards will require all new cars sold or registered in Minnesota beginning in model year 2011 to be manufactured in a way that results in a 30 percent overall reduction in emissions by 2016. Adopting these standards will improve our air quality, take a big dent out of global warming pollution and make our cars more efficient, saving all of us money in the long run. These standards go above and beyond federal CAFE standards by regulating all global warming emissions from the car’s performance, fuel choice, and air conditioning. Minnesota should not wait to adopt these standards because they require a 2 year notice to auto manufacturers meaning at earliest we could have cleaner cars on our roads by model year 2011.
Dedicated Transit Funding
With nearly one million people moving to Minnesota in the coming decades, Minnesota needs an estimated $235 million per year to leverage federal funding opportunities. This funding would be used to implement the Metropolitan Council’s transit plan by 2020 to construct eight new dedicated transitways, double bus ridership, create better transit facilities and new park & ride capacity, provide revenue to local governments for bicycle and pedestrian projects, and expand transit in Greater Minnesota. This vision cannot happen without the Legislature adopting a stable and dedicated source of funding. Public transit makes our region more vibrant and successful, connecting our region and shaping communities that we are proud to call home.
Risky Sulfide Mining
Sulfide mining operations have never been conducted in Minnesota. This mining for precious metals involves sulfide compounds that generate sulfuric acid mine drainage when exposed to air or moisture and can leach into the surrounding environment. The potential of surface and groundwater contamination by acid mine drainage can remain for centuries or longer after a mine is officially closed. Acid mine drainage from western states' metal mines has caused some of the largest and most contaminated Superfund sites in the country. Other states, like Wisconsin, have already passed laws that set stringent “prove it first” policies before allowing sulfide mines. Wisconsin now has a moratorium on sulfide mining. The Sierra Club supports legislation that would: (1) prohibit mining proposals that have not been proven safe during actual operation and closure of a similar mine, (2) prevent mines from being developed in watersheds of special concern, and (3) ban mining proposals that would require near eternal treatment after a mine’s closure.
For more information, contact the Sierra Club Legislative Coordinator, Michelle Rosier, at 612-659-9124 x304 or michelle.rosier@sierraclub.org.
http://northstar.sierraclub.org/politics/index.html
2007 Legislative Results
Charting an Historic Course: A look at the Environmental Impacts of the 2007 Minnesota Legislative Session (pdf)
During the 2007 legislative session, Minnesota legislators began
charting an historic course — setting the stage for new
investments in Minnesota's environment, now, and for years to come.
The 2007 Minnesota Legislature - Outcomes
2007 was a critical year for the environment in the Minnesota
Legislature. For the most part, legislators made good on their
positive intentions and passed critical laws that will reduce energy
use in the state, increase our share of renewable energy production,
protect wetlands, and more. Other efforts met with less success -
including the Governor's veto of a bill that would have provided
critical funding for transit options across the state.
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