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Energy Issues
Energy efficiency and less-polluting
technologies for generating
electricity further the mission of
pollution prevention.
Annual chemical-release data
collected from Minnesota industry
show that significant pollution
results from the production and
use of energy, including release of
nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide,
carbon dioxide, hydrogen fluoride,
barium, chromium, and mercury.
The MPCA partners with industry,
universities, non-profits, and
other units of government to
decrease pollution resulting from
our production and use of energy
through two primary approaches:
energy efficiency and P2 energy
generation technologies.
Buy green power:
"Green power" is electricity generated from renewable, high-efficiency,
or low-pollution energy sources such as wind or solar. Your
purchase of green power will replace electricity that would
otherwise come primarily from burning coal—one of the dirtiest
fuels for producing electricity. Less than 1% of the energy we
consume in Minnesota currently comes from wind, but your
purchase of green power can help change that.
Alternative fuels in
Minnesota: Ethanol,
biodiesel, and biomass
Minnesota is part of the
national movement to create
combustion fuels from sources
besides petroleum, natural gas
or coal. The state of Minnesota
has made it a priority to have a
leading role in the development
of the biofuels industry,
including key legislation and
ongoing workgroups. The
MPCA is particularly involved in
the regulation and permitting of
biofuels facilities in the state.