Panel’s big task: reducing Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emissions

06/14/2007

By Gregg Aamot,
Associatd Press
June 14, 2007


An array of Minnesotans brought together by Gov. Tim Pawlenty filled a hotel ballroom Thursday as they tried to figure out ways for Minnesota to meet ambitious goals for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.

A panel of about 50 people — including business executives, ministers, an economist and many others — are charged with developing ideas for the Legislature to use as the state embarks on a strategy of reducing carbon emissions by 15 percent over the next eight years, and by 80 percent by 2050.

The Legislature outlined the goals in clean energy legislation passed earlier this year — then created the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group as a way to develop solutions in an environment free of the political and ideological wrangling that has made consensus on climate issues elusive.

"If we don't have the whole community represented, we won't be able to find a way forward," said the Rev. Jon Anderson, a panelist and the Southwestern Minnesota Synod bishop for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

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