[Shadow_Group] American Lung Association of Minnesota: Lacking Fossil Fuels, Minnesota Embraces Green Energy

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http://press.arrivenet.com/bus/article.php/549608.html
 
American Lung Association of Minnesota: Lacking Fossil Fuels, Minnesota Embraces Green Energy
Distribution Source : PRNewswire

Date : Friday - December 31, 2004


SAINT PAUL, Minn., Dec. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- While its landscape may be blanketed with ice and snow for much of the year, Minnesota is undeniably "green" in its energy policies. Governor Tim Pawlenty recently dubbed his state "the renewable fuel capital of America," and there is significant evidence to support his claim:

Transportation Fuels

Minnesota has the highest renewable fuel use per capita in the nation stemming from strong utilization of ethanol and biodiesel fuels.

Ethanol

-- Minnesota state law requires that virtually all gasoline sold in the state contain 10% ethanol, which helps the gas burn cleaner. Adding ethanol has reduced the amount of gasoline used by Minnesota drivers by an estimated 260 million gallons every year. Pawlenty has proposed increasing the ethanol content to 20% by 2010, but such a change would require approvals from federal organizations and auto manufacturers. All major automaker warranties currently approve of using gasoline containing 10% ethanol. -- With 13 ethanol plants with an estimated production capacity of more than 500 million gallons of the cleaner-burning gasoline additive a year, Minnesota ranks 3rd in the nation in production of fuel-grade ethanol after Iowa and Illinois. Minnesota corn growers send approximately 15% of their crop to ethanol plants. -- The state also has North America's largest network (more than 100) of stations selling E85, a new fuel consisting of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline that can be used in
 "flexible fuel vehicles," including many of the popular large pickups and SUVs. The American Lung Association of Minnesota actively supports the use of E85, calling it "a clean air choice" compared to conventional gasoline.

Biodiesel

-- More than 200 Minnesota stations now offer "B2," a diesel fuel blended with two percent "biodiesel," made from soybeans. In the summer of 2005 it is expected that the requirements for implementing a 2% biodiesel mandate statewide will go into effect, utilizing 16 million gallons of renewable fuel. -- Currently three new biodiesel production facilities are under construction in Minnesota and when operational will produce more than 50 million gallons -- ranking Minnesota as a national leader in biodiesel production. -- Several fleets around the state are using 5-20% blends of biodiesel fuel year-round in Minnesota's cold weather climate, including Hennepin County (Minneapolis), the City of Brooklyn Park, Eureka Recycling (Saint Paul), US Forest Service (International Falls), etc.

Electricity

-- Taking full advantage of the strong steady winds that blow across the flat landscape in the western half of the state, Minnesota has become the nation's third largest producer of wind-generated electricity, behind California and Texas. Minnesota requires its largest utility company, Xcel Energy, to contract for at least 1125 megawatts of wind energy and 125 MW of biomass by 2010 -- A recent analysis by the Minnesota Department of Commerce indicates that currently 11% of the state's electricity needs come from renewable energy and by 2015 the number will increase to 20%, largely from additional wind energy installations. All Minnesota utilities need to make a good faith effort to procure 10% renewable energy by 2015, which is an additional amount from Xcel Energy's mandates. -- All Minnesota utilities are also required to offer their customers the option of purchasing wind energy to increase their personal offsets of traditional electricity fuels. Similar to E85 as a consumer
 choice program, "green pricing" programs have increased the number of wind turbines in the Midwest as more consumers choose these optional programs.

Energy Conservation

-- All Minnesota natural gas and electricity utilities are required to spend a total of around $75 million per year on energy efficiency and conservation programs to reduce demand levels. While not renewable, they reduce the need for traditional fuels and increase the percentage impact of renewable sources. -- All buildings funded by taxpayer dollars must meet the tough new State of Minnesota Sustainable Building Guidelines, which require structures that exceed existing energy codes by at least 30 percent. Minnesota is also home to the American Lung Association Health House program, which trains homebuilders how to construct high-performance, energy-efficient houses in a variety of climates nationwide.



There is evidence that the steps Minnesota is taking are bearing fruit. A recent report on ozone pollution from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed Minnesota as one of only 19 U.S. states with every county recording an acceptable level of ozone. Ground-level ozone is a primary component of smog, and ozone is also a known lung irritant and threat to human health. While geography and weather patterns are key factors in areas where ozone is a problem, Minnesota has clearly taken steps to reduce outdoor air pollution by embracing green energy sources.

"While Minnesota is recognized as a leader in cleaner energy and alternative fuels, there is much yet to be accomplished before we can declare victory over air pollution," said Tim Gerlach, director of outdoor air programs at the American Lung Association of Minnesota. "Federal clean air standards are constantly under attack, and our energy policies are still far too dependent on high-polluting fossil fuels, all of which must be imported in Minnesota. We need to focus more attention on cleaner, renewable energy sources that can be produced here -- closer to home."

For more details on outdoor air pollution and Minnesota's award-winning alternative fuel program, visit: http://www.cleanairchoice.org/. For more on the American Lung Association Health House program and indoor air pollution, visit: http://www.healthhouse.org/. 
American Lung Association of Minnesota 
CONTACT: Robert Moffitt of American Lung Association of Minnesota,
+1-651-269-7561, or robert.moffitt at alamn.org

Web site: http://www.healthhouse.org/ 

Web site: http://www.cleanairchoice.org/ 





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