The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is tasked with monitoring pollution in Minnesota and keeping our air, land, and water clean and healthy. This year the Senate voted to prohibit the MPCA from adopting more stringent auto emission standards. This Amendment intended to reverse that and remove a section in the bill that prohibits the MPCA from adopting automobile emission standards similar to California standards.
Clean Cars Minnesota is an initiative to tackle climate pollution and decrease Minnesota’s emissions of greenhouse gases. These vehicle emissions standards will reduce transportation pollution from new cars and light-duty trucks and increase the number of pollution-free vehicles for sale. If enacted, Minnesota would join 14 states and the District of Columbia in adopting these standards. SF 959 seeks to eliminate the authority of the MPCA to establish these emissions rules. This amendment restores the ability to institute the Clean Cars Rulemaking process, allowing Minnesota to cut greenhouse gases.
