Public urged to provide feedback on strategies to reduce emissions from cars, trucks and buses

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation, in collaboration with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the departments of Commerce and Agriculture, the Environmental Quality Board, and the McKnight Foundation, has launched the Pathways to Decarbonizing Transportation project to explore potential strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars, trucks and buses in Minnesota. The Next Generation Energy Act calls for a 30 percent reduction by 2025 and an 80 percent reduction by 2050 of greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels.

The effort is a starting point to help state agencies think seriously about ways to reduce the number one source of GHG emissions in Minnesota – transportation. The project will result in a summary report on the emissions modeling and stakeholder feedback to inform future work by the state to decarbonize transportation.

There are several opportunities for Minnesotans to learn about the project and share input:

• Listen to a public webinar May 31 from noon to 1 p.m. (Online webinar registration)

• Attend a public meeting in the Twin Cities, Duluth, Rochester, Bemidji or Marshall. (See below for dates and times.)

• Take online survey and provide other feedback through June 19

Twin Cities stakeholder meeting

• Tues., June 4, 6 – 8 p.m. at the Minneapolis Urban League Glover, Sudduth Community Room.

Twin Cities 6 pm meeting registration.

Bemidji stakeholder meetings

• Wed., June 5, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., at Bemidji State University, Hobson Memorial Union, Crying Wolf Room.

Bemidji 2:30 pm meeting registration.

• Wed., June 5, 6 – 8 p.m., Bemidji State University, Hobson Memorial Union, Crying Wolf Room.

Bemidji 6 pm meeting registration.

Duluth stakeholder meetings

• Thurs., June 6, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., American Indian Community Housing Organization, Powless Arts & Culture Center.

Duluth 2:30 pm meeting registration.

• Thurs., June 6, 6 – 8 p.m., American Indian Community Housing Organization, Powless Arts & Culture Center.

Duluth 6 pm meeting registration.

Marshall stakeholder meetings

• Tues., June 11, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Marshall Municipal Utilities

Marshall 2:30 pm meeting registration.

• Tues., June 11, 6 – 8 p.m., Marshall Municipal Utilities

Marshall 6 pm meeting registration.

Rochester stakeholder meetings

• Wed., June 12, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Mayo Civic Center, American Legion Room

Rochester 2:30 pm meeting registration.

• Wed., June 12, 6 – 8 p.m., Mayo Civic Center, American Legion Room.

Rochester 6 pm meeting registration.

Online webinar stakeholder meeting

• Fri., May 31, noon – 1 p.m.

Online webinar registration.

More details at: http://www.mndot.gov/sustainability/pathways.html.