Energy Issues
Energy efficiency and less-polluting technologies for generating electricity further the mission of pollution
prevention. Annual chemical-release data collected from Minnesota industry show that significant pollution results from the production
and use of energy, including release of nitrous oxide,
sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, barium, chromium, and
mercury. The MPCA partners with industry, universities, non-profits, and
other units of government to decrease pollution resulting from our production
and use of energy through two primary approaches: energy efficiency and
P2 energy generation technologies.
The agency coordinates with the Minnesota
Department of Commerce Energy Office, which is responsible for state
energy information, planning and policy. Working together, we leverage
resources to help achieve the energy reliability, economic viability,
and environmental benefits needed for the state.
Buy Green Power
 "Green
power" is electricity generated from renewable, high-efficiency,
or low-pollution energy sources such as wind or solar. Your purchase of
green power will replace electricity that would otherwise come primarily
from burning coal—one of the dirtiest fuels for producing electricity.
Less than 1% of the energy we consume in Minnesota currently comes from
wind, but your purchase of green power can help change that.
Yes, it costs a little more, but that extra money goes to build new renewable
capacity in Minnesota, such as wind turbines. Consumers can sign up with
their utility to buy small amounts of green power for as little as an
additional $1.50 a month. For the average home, a month of 100% green
power would cost about $6 to $14 more than traditional energy sources.
Global Climate Change
The planet is experiencing a warming trend faster than any other that
has occurred within the last 420,000 years. Most scientists working to
understand this change have concluded that it is being caused, in part
or largely, by human activities.
Use Compact Fluorescents
Using fluorescents instead of incandescent bulbs makes good sense. They use less electricity, and you save money on electric bills. However, because they contain mercury, fluorescents must be handled carefully to avoid breakage, and recycled—it's against the law to throw them away with the trash. When they are used and disposed of properly, these devices will help you reduce your energy use and pollution associated with generating electricity.
Green Buildings
 Energy
efficiency is an important component of green building, because Minnesota’s
commercial and residential buildings consume 68% of the natural gas and
47% of the electricity used in the state. The payback on energy efficiency
for a typical new "green" office building, designed to be about
30 percent more efficient than required by Minnesota's energy code, ranges
from 0-3 years. For a 200,000 sq. ft. building, after the short payback
period, an energy-efficient design realizes annual savings
of $50,000-100,000. It also prevents roughly 1,000 tons of air pollution
each year, if the energy otherwise would come from current fossil fuel
plants.
 Pollution Prevention
In doing business and producing products, Minnesota industry consumes about
30% of the natural gas and 53% of the electricity used in the state. Decreasing
a facility’s need for energy, raw materials, toxic chemicals, and
water helps make voluntary investment in pollution
prevention technologies cost effective.
Alternative fuels in Minnesota: Ethanol, biodiesel, and biomass
Minnesota is part of the national movement to create combustion fuels from sources besides petroleum, natural gas or coal. The state of Minnesota has made it a priority to have a leading role in the development of the biofuels industry, including key legislation and ongoing workgroups. The MPCA is particularly involved in the regulation and permitting of biofuels facilities in the state.
Renewable
Hydrogen
Due to the large economic and environmental benefits possible, the Minnesota
Renewable Hydrogen Initiative was formed with the OEA, the
state Department of Commerce, Departments of Employment and Economic Development
and Agriculture, the University of Minnesota, trade associations, industry,
utilities, and non-profits. The partnership is designed to obtain as much
of the environmental and economic benefits for the state as is possible
from renewable energy, hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
 Sustainable
Communities Resources
City blocks, neighborhoods, towns, townships, and cities are of a size
where citizen efforts at community improvement can effect visible change.
Energy resources for citizen groups, local government and local businesses
are available at the energy web page of the Minnesota Sustainable Communities
Network (MnSCN), which supports efforts that simultaneously strengthen the environmental,
economic and social dimensions of any issue, including energy.
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