Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn., recently signed the Next Generation Energy Act of 2007, which will increase energy efficiency, expand community-based energy development in Minnesota, and establish a statewide goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This bill supplements the 25 x '25 renewable energy standard proposed by the governor and signed earlier this year.
Pawlenty first introduced his Next Generation Energy Initiative in December 2006 to provide more renewable energy, more energy conservation and less carbon emissions for the state. The act establishes statewide GHG reduction goals of 15% by 2015, 30% by 2025 and 80% by 2050. In addition, the bill endorses Pawlenty's Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group as the entity to develop a comprehensive GHG emission reduction plan to meet those goals, the governor's office says.
