Minnesota has the highest renewable fuel use per capita in the nation stemming from strong utilization of ethanol and biodiesel fuels.
Minnesota state law requires that virtually all gasoline sold in the state contain 10 percent 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 percent 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 percent ethanol.
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 percent of the state's electricity needs come from renewable energy and by 2015 the number will increase to 20 percent, largely from additional wind energy installations.
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.
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.
