The Minnesota Clean Car Standards and the role of biofuels
By Amanda Bilek, senior public policy director for the Minnesota Corn Growers Association
There has been some discussion recently in the media about a proposal from the Walz administration to adopt new rules governing passenger vehicle tailpipe emission standards for air quality and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), also referred to as Minnesota Clean Car Standards or California emission standards. Governor Walz has set reducing carbon emissions in Minnesota a priority for his administration. The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) was made aware of this proposal last fall and has been actively engaged in the process to represent the best interests of corn farmers.
In September of 2019, the MN Department of Transportation (MN DOT) released a report “Pathways to Decarbonizing Transportation in Minnesota,” which makes recommendations to reduce carbon emissions from surface transportation in Minnesota. The report included several recommendations including: adopt clean car standards, strengthen Petroleum Replacement Goals, expand biofuel infrastructure, expanding use of higher biodiesel blends and renewable diesel, facilitate ways to use renewable diesel in Minnesota and create incentives for measures that reduce the carbon impact of biofuels.
The report clearly shows a growing role for blending biofuels in gasoline as a carbon reduction strategy for Minnesota, but also emphasized electric vehicles as another key strategy.
In order to make progress on the biofuel recommendations contained in the report, Governor Walz created a Governor’s Council on Biofuels to advise the administration on policies to foster growth of Minnesota’s biofuel industry. Brian Thalmann represents MCGA on the Council, which is expected to complete a report in November of this year. The report is expected to include policy recommendations to accelerate the growth and use biofuels, like ethanol, in Minnesota.
MCGA also launched the Better Fuel Initiative in January to further increase the awareness, understanding and usage of biofuels in Minnesota. As a part of the Better Fuel Initiative, MCGA has been advocating for policy to increase the use and accessibility of ethanol, and worked to advance a bill during the regular session of the Minnesota Legislature that would increase Minnesota’s biofuel standard from 10 to 15 percent.
After passing out of agriculture policy committees in both the House and Senate, progress on the bill was difficult as legislators shifted their focus to respond to COVID-19 and legislative operations were altered. MCGA looks forward to building on that progress during the 2021 legislative session.
Minnesota Clean Car Standards
Although the MN DOT “Pathways to Decarbonizing Transportation in Minnesota” report laid out a role for biofuels in reducing GHG emissions in transportation, another key recommendation in the report report was for the MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to begin rulemaking on a clean car rule for Minnesota that would include low-emission (LEV) and zero-emission vehicle standards (ZEV). These emissions standards were first adopted by California and have been adopted by 14 other states. California has the ability under the Clean Air Act to set stricter vehicle emission standards.
The clean car standards could have near and long-term impacts on biofuel use in Minnesota, and we need to understand the various aspects of the proposal.
In December of 2019 MCGA invited MPCA Assistant Commissioner Craig McDonnel to discuss the proposal with a group of county delegates and farmer leaders at our annual pre-resolutions meeting in Willmar.
Also last December, during a pre-rulemaking comment period, MCGA submitted comments to MPCA using input from our members and farmer leaders to raise concerns. The comments asked MPCA to consider impact on ethanol and agriculture in the regulatory analysis since none of the other states that have the LEV or ZEV standard have nearly the same amount of ethanol production or use compared to Minnesota. MCGA also emphasized the proven role biofuels should play in reducing GHG emissions, as outlined in the “Pathways to Decarbonizing Transportation in Minnesota,” and asked MPCA to consider developing biofuel infrastructure to support their use.
The original timeline for rulemaking from MPCA has changed slightly, but at this point a draft rule has not been published. MPCA has stated they intent to complete rulemaking early in 2021, which would mean the requirements would not begin until model year 2025. The draft rule has not been published yet. MCGA will take the time to do the analysis and understand long-term implications for corn growers and represent the best interest of our members. We will be sure to keep you updated on developments.
Be sure to follow the MCGA blog and its social channels (Facebook, Twitter) for updates. You can also follow me on Twitter (@AjBilek) or contact me directly at abilek@mncorn.org.
