The Board held eight meetings, including one field trip (June 28, 2007 – January 22, 2008). In its first four meetings, the Board heard presentations from groups focused on advancing renewable energy production. The remaining meetings focused on preparing a list of recommendations which was delivered to the legislature in February 2008.
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The Board’s recommendations:
Support legislation in the 2008 session to increase the biodiesel blending requirement incrementally from two percent to 20 percent (B2 to B20), and ask the Biodiesel Task Force to develop criteria and recommendations for increasing the sustainability of biodiesel fuel at each enhanced blend level.
Support policies and activities to promote lower-carbon fuels, including supporting the development of a Low-Carbon Fuel Standard that takes advantage of the progress Minnesota has made in biofuels development.
Promote the installation of methane digesters by encouraging the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), the Minnesota State Colleges and University System (MnSCU), the University of Minnesota (U of M) and private colleges to work closely with the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce to attract more investment in on-farm and community-based methane digesters by increasing the public’s awareness of state and federal programs and incentives available for such projects.
Support funding to implement a Reinvest In Minnesota – Clean Energy program in the 2008 Capital Investment bill.
Support the process of AURI, MnSCU, the U of M and private colleges working closely with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Legislature's education and workforce training committees to integrate the components of the Talent Development Initiative into the work of the agency and committees.
Improve biomass energy permitting to encourage biomass energy development by:
Improving understanding and characterization of different biomass air emission profiles.
Improving understanding and characterization of the capacity and extent of water resources, including ground-water aquifers and surface water throughout Minnesota.
Encourage technologies and processes that promote more efficient use of water and greater sensitivity to water availability when determining the location of proposed facilities.
