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Clean Transportation Standard Work Group

The 2023 Legislature established the Clean Transportation Standard (CTS) Work Group to study and address information gaps and opportunities related to implementing a standard in Minnesota. The work group was jointly convened by the Commissioners of Agriculture, Commerce, Transportation, and the Pollution Control Agency.

A CTS is a technology and fuel-neutral market-based policy framework that requires carbon intensity reductions for transportation fuels including gasoline, diesel, biofuels, and electricity. When structured and implemented properly, a CTS can reduce transportation greenhouse gas emissions, create green jobs, attract new investments, reduce air and water pollution, and improve soil and water health in Minnesota. A CTS could be the largest single policy for reducing carbon pollution from transportation in Minnesota.

The work group was tasked with considering a CTS program that requires an aggregate carbon intensity of transportation fuel supplied to Minnesota be reduced by 25% by 2030, 75% by 2040, and 100% by 2050 (compared to 2018 levels).

2023-24 Clean Transportation Standard Work Group Report

Report cover
Download the executive summary (PDF)

The work group met between July 2023 and January 2024. The work group's report to the Legislature was delivered on Feb. 1, 2024, and includes the work group's recommendations and suggested areas for further exploration, as well as the scenario modeling results that informed work group discussion.

Download fully accessible PDFs of report

Download appendices

Appendices provide additional information and analyses that guided the development of this report. 

Addendum: Full-length meeting summaries

Modeling

The work group held five educational and technical webinars focused on fuel sources as they pertain to GREET modeling as well as land, use, water and ecosystem services. The presentations were recorded and were followed by an unrecorded Q&A with participants.

Technical Webinar 1: Ethanol - Sept. 27, 2023

Technical Webinar 2: Biomass-based Diesel - Sept. 29, 2023

Technical Webinar 3: Transportation Electrification - Oct. 5, 2023

Technical Webinar 4: Other Clean Fuel Activities - Oct. 6, 2023

Land Use, Water and Ecosystem Services Webinar - Oct. 16, 2023

Name Organization Representing
Paul Austin Conservation Minnesota Conservation organizations
Pierce Bennett MN Farm Bureau General farm organizations
Amanda Bilek Minnesota Corn Growers Association Agricultural commodity groups
Richard Biske The Nature Conservancy Conservation organizations
Dan Bowerson Alliance for Automotive Innovation Automotive manufacturers
Matthew Bruyette Nature Energy Renewable natural gas and organic waste interests
Mike Bull Allete/MN Power Electric utilities or cooperatives
Margaret Cherne-Hendrick Fresh Energy Environmental science organizations
Vallen Cook Grand Portage Band of Chippewa Tribal governments
Colin Cureton UMN Forever Green Initiative Sustainable agriculture or regenerative biofuels producers
Jeff Davidman Delta Air Lines, Inc. Aviation interests
Rodney De Fouw Great River Energy Electric utilities or cooperatives
Timothy Gross Fueling Minnesota Conventional transportation fuel producers and retailers
Dustin Haaland CHS, Inc. Conventional transportation fuel producers and retailers
Kent Hartwig Gevo, Inc. Aviation interests
John Hausladen Minnesota Trucking Association Automotive manufacturers
Abby Hornberger BlueGreen Alliance Labor unions
Rick Horton Minnesota Forest Industries Forestry interests
Jon Hunter American Lung Association Public health interests
LesLee Jackson Minneapolis Northside Green Zone Environmental Justice Organization
John Jaimez Hennepin County, Partnership on Waste and Energy Renewable natural gas and organic waste interests
Brendan Jordan Great Plains Institute for Sustainable Development Renewable energy and low-carbon transportation
Ariel Kagan Minnesota Farmers Union General farm organizations
Thad Kurowski Tesla Electric vehicle charging infrastructure companies
Steve Morse Minnesota Environmental Partnership Statewide environmental and natural resource organizations
Marty Muenzmaier Cargill, Inc. Sustainable agriculture or regenerative biofuels producers
Jeremy Martin Union of Concerned Scientists Environmental science organizations
Cyndy Milda Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Tribal Governments
Sarah Mooradian CURE (Clean Up the River Environment) Water quality interests
Carolina Ortiz COPAL Environmental justice organizations
Kevin Pranis Liuna Minnesota/North Dakota Labor unions
Trevor Russell Friends of the Mississippi River Water quality interests
Eric Schenck Minnesota Forest Resources Council Forestry interests
Kathleen Schuler Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate Public health interests
Nate Schuster ChargePoint Electric vehicle charging infrastructure companies
Mark Ten Eyck Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy Statewide environmental and natural resource organizations
Peter Wagenius Sierra Club Renewable energy and low-carbon transportation
Brian Werner Minnesota Biofuels Association Renewable fuel producers
Bob Worth Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Agricultural commodity groups
Mike Youngerberg Minnesota Biodiesel Council Renewable fuel producers

The work group was jointly convened by the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Transportation, and the Pollution Control Agency. 

  • Amber Dallman
    Director, Office of Sustainability and Public Health
    Minnesota Department of Transportation
  • Shannon Engstrom
    CTS Director, Office of Sustainability and Public Health
    Minnesota Department of Transportation
  • Valare Falkner
    Deputy Director, Weights and Measures
    Minnesota Department of Commerce
  • Megan Lennon
    Supervisor, Energy and Environment Section
    Minnesota Department of Agriculture
  • Frank Kohlasch
    Assistant Commissioner, Air and Climate Policy
    Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
  • Timothy Sexton
    Assistant Commissioner, Sustainability, Planning and Program Management
    Minnesota Department of Transportation
  • Andrea Vaubel
    Deputy Commissioner
    Minnesota Department of Agriculture