Environmental advocates pleased with 2008 session

Environmental advocacy groups are feeling positive at the close of the 2008 legislative season. This session saw the passage of funds for the Central Corridor light rail line; a new state park; and the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, which will allow voters to approve dedicated funding for Minnesota’s natural resources and cultural heritage. Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP), which consists of more than 80 nonprofit environmental and conservation organizations, gave high marks to the governor and the Legislature on transportation, clean water, and capital investments, but noted the failure of the Clean Cars legislation and of state investment in next-generation biofuels.

“Support for the Central Corridor and Lake Vermilion State Park is a strong finish by the Legislature for Minnesota’s lakes, land and air,” said Steve Morse, executive director of MEP. “However, this year lawmakers have made little progress towards energy independence and a clean energy Minnesota. They dropped the ball on Cleaner Cars and funding the next generation of biofuels. Funding for two studies to determine the costs and benefits of a cap and trade system was sent to the Governor. But no agreement was reached on the core principles underlying such a system. Much needs to be done to meet Minnesota’s legal requirement of reducing emissions by 80 percent by 2050, yet this year little was achieved.”