Through two executive orders and additional legislative proposals, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn., unveiled energy initiatives that promote the use of small, local renewable energy technologies, focus on clean energy research and development, and create the Minnesota Office of Energy Security and the Carbon Market Planning Authority.
The initiatives include four components: the Minnesota Local Renewable Energy Initiative; creation of the Clean Energy Technology Collaborative; establishment of the Minnesota Office of Energy Security; and creation of the Carbon Market Planning Authority.
The Minnesota Local Renewable Energy Initiative would assist residents in energizing their homes, farms and businesses with small-scale renewable energy resources. This proposal will be submitted to the legislature in the 2008 session.
The Clean Energy Technology Collaborative is made up of 15 members appointed by Pawlenty. Members will be responsible for developing a clean energy technology roadmap that will provide the research and development vision. This includes the 25x'25 renewable energy standard that requires 25% of the state's energy to come from renewable sources by 2025.
Commerce Department Deputy Commissioner Edward Garvey will be the director of the Office of Energy Security and will coordinate energy and climate issues throughout the administration.
The proposed Carbon Market Planning Authority would study and plan for the potential for a carbon-market exchange and the need for financing strategies to encourage the creation and viability of a carbon-credit market.
