The Governor’s Council on Biofuels has given Gov. Tim Walz its consensus report on the steps needed to grow Minnesota’s biofuels industry and get the state back on track to meet renewable energy goals.

Walz charged the 15-member council to recommend policies to accelerate achievement of Minnesota’s biofuels and greenhouse gas reduction goals. The group worked over the past nine months to find ways to achieve this that help farmers, rural communities, the natural environment, and economically disadvantaged populations.

The council’s recommendations include accelerating the state’s move toward 15% ethanol content in gasoline; adopting a Low Carbon Fuel Standard; increasing biofuels use in the state fleet; increasing public understanding and marketing of biofuels; and developing advanced biofuels.

“Agriculture has a big role to play in helping our state achieve its renewable energy goals,” says Thom Peterson, Minnesota agriculture commissioner. “I want to thank all the council members for helping us figure out how to move Minnesota toward those goals in a way that will be good for producers and consumers.”

Minnesota adopted statutory goals in the 2007 Next Generation Energy Act to replace 30% of the state’s petroleum use with biofuels by 2025. But is not on track to meet those goals, due to a combination of low market prices and changes in federal policy.

The biofuels industry provides important markets for agricultural commodities and generates an estimated $6.7 billion in annual economic impact.

Members of the council represented the biofuels industry, agricultural and farm groups, the service station industry, the wood products industry, and energy and environmental organizations.

“Our Biofuels Council approved the final report today culminating from a year of work among the stakeholders,” says Brian Thalmann, board member of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and a council member. “It recognizes the value that expanded biofuel use will provide to Minnesota’s citizens and the environment and provides recommendations to accelerate achievement of our petroleum replacement goals. I look forward to engagement by the stakeholders moving forward as we work with state officials in the implementation of these ideas.”

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture facilitated the council’s work. Find more resources about the council’s goals and view the report on the MDA’s website.

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