1. Air
  2. Clean Cars Minnesota

Rulemaking: Clean Cars Minnesota

Amendments adopting Low-Emission Vehicle and Zero-Emission Vehicle air pollution standards (Revisor’s ID R-4626)

MPCA is considering adopting rules that require vehicle manufacturers to deliver vehicles to the Minnesota market that produce lower emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and other air pollutants. The Clean Cars Minnesota rulemaking would enable Minnesota to adopt both the Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) and Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) standards.

Notice of Intent to Adopt Rule with a Hearing

On December 21, 2020, the MPCA published a Notice of Intent to Adopt Rule with a Hearing for the Clean Cars Minnesota rule in the State Register. It is available on the MPCA’s Public Notices webpage and immediately below:

What this means for Minnesotans

  • The MPCA is planning to adopt a new rule.
  • No immediate changes to MPCA rules will go into effect.
  • A new comment period has opened, and you can submit your questions, comments, and feedback to the administrative law judge (ALJ) assigned to this rulemaking by 4:30 p.m. on March 15, 2021.
  • The next step in the rulemaking process is a public hearing held by the ALJ on February 22 and 23, 2021, beginning at 3 p.m. both days.

How to share your feedback during the notice period

There are two methods you can use to ask questions, propose changes to the rule, or share your views. You can choose one or use both methods.

  1. Write it down and submit as a comment through the Office of Administrative Hearings e-comments website, or by fax or mail according to the instructions in the notice.
  2. Attend the public hearing online and ask your question, share your suggested changes, or voice your opinions there.

Whether you submit a written comment or give testimony at the public hearing, your feedback will be considered equally by the ALJ.

What to expect

  • MPCA staff are required to respond to all of the comments received during the notice period.
  • Prior to the public hearing, MPCA staff will prepare an initial response to comments and post on this webpage.
  • Our goal is to provide answers in a timely manner so you can submit a new comment based on our response, if you would like to do so, before the notice period closes.

Attending the public hearing

  • The ALJ will hold a public hearing on February 22 and 23, 2021, beginning at 3 p.m. both days.  
  • Due to COVID-19, the public hearing will be held online via Webex.
  • Links to attend the public hearing are in the notice.

Public information sessions

During the notice period, MPCA staff will hold a series of one-hour virtual public information sessions using Microsoft Teams Live Events to share the conclusions of our analysis of the proposed rule and review how you can participate in the rulemaking process. MPCA staff cannot take rulemaking comments during these information sessions; however, our presentation will cover how you can formally submit a comment into the record.

MPCA Commissioner Laura Bishop introduces the proposed Clean Cars Minnesota rule.

Links to join the Teams Live Events are available below. You do not need a Microsoft account to join. (More tips on using Teams Live.)

Participate by computer, tablet, or smart phone: You can view and listen to a Clean Cars Minnesota information session by clicking on the Teams Live Event link from your computer, tablet, or smart phone. To ask a question for MPCA staff, you will be able to type your questions into a Q&A chat feature. You will not be able to share your audio to ask a question out loud. We recommend using a desktop computer with speaker/headphones for the best experience. To avoid problems when joining using a desktop computer, select the “Watch on the web instead” option when presented to you. On the next screen, select “Join anonymously” instead of the “sign in” option. If you are joining using a smartphone, you will be prompted to download the mobile Teams app if it is not already on your phone. Download the app and then re-select the meeting link. When asked how you would like to join the meeting using your smartphone, select “Join as guest” instead of the “Sign in” option. You may need to turn on your microphone in your phone’s “settings” before the app will let you in the meeting.

Listen by phone: There is also an option to dial in to the Teams Live Event using the phone number provided, but this provides limited access to the meeting content. You will have access to listen to the information session, but you will not be able to see the visuals presented or submit your own questions during the Q&A with MPCA staff.

Can’t attend an information session? We will post recorded versions of each information session here.

Please visit our public engagement page for helpful tips on how you can participate in this phase of the rulemaking process.

Rulemaking documents

Request for Comments

The request for comments (RFC) published on Oct. 7, 2019, was MPCA’s legal notice of its intent to begin a new rulemaking. This was the first of several opportunities for public comment and input on this rulemaking. The RFC period closed on Dec. 6, 2019. Review all written comments submitted to the agency:

Learn more about the feedback we received in 2019.


Supplemental resources

Detailed overview of the concepts MPCA is considering for the Clean Cars Minnesota rulemaking. This document will help readers understand the potential rules being considered and their rationale.

Colorado is the most recent state to have adopted these standards. MPCA is considering using Colorado’s rule language and regulatory analysis as a model from which to develop our own. Several of the questions in our supplement document refer to Colorado’s materials.

During the RFC period, we held a series of public meetings around the state to share information and gather input from Minnesotans. Learn more about our public engagement efforts throughout 2019–2020.

Contacts

Sign up to receive email notifications for public meetings and other rulemaking developments.

Questions about technical or policy aspects of the rule: Amanda Jarrett Smith, cleancarsmn.pca@state.mn.us or 651-757-2486

Questions about the rule process or schedule: Katie Izzo, cleancarsmn.pca@state.mn.us or 651-757-2595