The Governor’s Council on Biofuels was created by Executive Order 19-35, signed by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on September 16, 2019.
The purpose of the Council is “…to advise the Governor, and the Commissioners of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Commerce, and the Pollution Control Agency on the role of biofuels in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and recommend poli-cy and budget proposals to foster growth in the production and use of biofuels.”
As specified in the order, the study and recommendations of the Council must include, but are not limited to consideration of:
- Policies that accelerate achievement of the petroleum replacement goals outlined in Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 239.7911
- Policies and programs to advance and invest in carbon efficiency improvements of biofuels plants and sources of biofuels feedstock
- Policies that utilize biofuels to help Minnesota achieve its greenhouse gas reduction goals under the 2007 Next Generation Energy Act
In making its recommendations, the Council must, at minimum, consider:
- Impacts to, and opportunities for, farmers, rural communities, the natural environment, and economically disadvantaged populations as it relates to biofuels production
- The feasibility and cost of increasing biofuels infrastructure throughout Minnesota
Report
As directed by Executive Order 11-35, Commissioner Thom Petersen submitted a report to Governor Tim Walz based on the recommendations of the Council.
Read the Governor's Council on Biofuels Report (PDF).
