June 14, 2007: Panel's Big Task: Reducing Minnesota's Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group- a panel of approximately 50 individuals with various backgrounds- will work together to develop solutions for climate-change issues.

Associated Press
Panel's Big Task: Reducing Minnesota's Greenhouse Gas Emissions
By Gregg Aamot
June 14, 2007
http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=16&a=297637

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.