Cost of future carbon dioxide regulation in electricity generation: public comment period

Minn. Stat. § 216H.06 requires the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to update annually an estimate of the likely range of costs of future carbon dioxide regulation on electricity generation. The estimate is used for planning sources of future power generation in Commission proceedings.

The annual updates of the estimate must be made by the Commission following informal proceedings by the Department of Commerce and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) that include an opportunity for public comment. The comment period for the current recommendation ends on January 14, 2016.   More information can be found here.

$270,000 Clean Diesel Grant round open through January 7

Want to upgrade your diesel fleet and reduce emissions?

MPCA has $270,000 in grants available from the federal Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) to help cut pollution from big, old, diesel engines.  In general, engines must be older than model year 2007 and the thirstier the better.  Grants cover 25% to 50% of the project cost, depending on the technology.  The grant can be used for projects including:

• Idle reduction
• Emission control devices
• Engine replacement
• Vehicle replacement

Go to the MPCA’s clean diesel webpage and click on link at top of page for all application information.

Reminder: Winter Air Dispersion Modeling Seminar

The MPCA will be holding its annual Winter Air Dispersion Modeling Seminar on January 14, 2016 from 1:00pm-4:30pm at the Hiway Federal Credit Building located at 840 Westminster Street, St. Paul, MN 55130.  If you are interested in attending or presenting a topic or idea, please let us know by Monday, January 4, 2016 at AirModeling.PCA@state.mn.us.  A draft agenda will be posted on the MPCA’s modeling webpage by Friday, December 18, 2015.