Carbon cap, car emissions, bonding on environmental agenda

The Minnesota Environmental Partnership, a coalition of more than 80 environmental and conservation groups, on Tuesday unveiled its list of Legislative priorities for 2008.

They include:

• Approval of a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would let voters decide on a 3/8 percent sales tax to support arts and environment initiatives.

• On energy, authorizing a carbon cap, auction and trade system and adopting the California auto emissions standards, which force automakers to cut emissions 30 percent by 2016.
• On transportation, creating a permanent source of funding for transit projects like light rail and bus rapid transit.
• And securing bonding funds for numerous projects relating to biofuels, habitat preservation, outdoor recreation and water quality.

The full list of priorities is contained in the group’s 2008 Minnesota Environmental Briefing Book. (PDF)