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99-434couo�a Fae # q4- �13� o�����A� RESOLUTION OF SA{NT PAUL, MiNNESOTA r�e�t�a Refeaed To Green Sheet # G y° R� Committee Date o�� RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A PETITION CALLING FOR THE CREATION OF A TASK FORCE ON GLOBAL WARMING IN MINNESOTA, OR ALTERNATIVELY, TFIE DEVELOPMENT OF A GENERIC ENVII20NMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ON GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND CLIMATIC CHANGE IN MINNESOTA WHICH HAS BEEN SUBMI'ITED TO TYE MII�INESOTA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD BY MINNESOTANS FOR AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT ECONOMY 1 WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul understands the effects of global warming and respects our natural 2 resources;and 3 WHEREAS, scienfific evidence of atmospheric wanuing continues to grow, including recent findings that 4 Minnesota's temperatures have increased as much as 4 degrees FaUrenheit in some locations this cenhuy and 5 that the 1990s was the Earth's warmest decade of the miliennium; 6 WHEREAS, between 1988 and 1997, heat waves, storms, floods, and other extreme weather events in the 7 ilnited States caused an estimated $140 billion in properiy damage; and WI�REAS, local governments bear the brunt of the human and economic damage that resuit from the effects of global wanuing; and 10 WHEREAS, the Mimiesota Environmental Quality Boazd plays a vital role in Mimiesota's environment 11 through the development of policy, the crearion of long-term plans and the review of proposed projects that 12 significantly influence the future of Minnesota's environment; and 13 WHEREAS, there is a need to provide local governments and the public with official information and a reliable 14 fonun about global wanuing, and to begin to provide the State of Mimiesota with an ongoing instihxtional 15 capacity to deal with global warming; now therefore be it 16 RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council strongly supports the perition submitted on September 3, 1998 to 17 the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board by Mimiesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ME3); and be 18 it 19 FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council requests, pursuant to ME3's petition, that the 20 Minuesota Environmental Quality Board establish an Interdepartmental and Citizen Task Force on Global 21 Warming in Miuuesota or, alternatively, that the Minnesota Environmental Quality Boazd conduct a generic 22 environmental impact statement on greenhouse gas emissions and climatic change in Mimiesota. a9-43y Requested by Department of: Adopted by Council: Date ��,_ � Adoption Certified by Council Secre BY' �� �S� Approved by Mayor: Date _ � � Form Approved by City Attomey � Approved by Mayoz for Submission to Council � \ � � � 99-y3� City Gouncil JTACT PERSOP7 g PFKKJE oare ixmnTm 5-10-99 GREEN SHEET No 640'77 5-19-99 1\SS1Gx NUMBERFOR ROUi1NG ORDER TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PQGES oe+�rtirarnnErcrart ❑ rnv�ttawEV ❑ arrttEnK _ ❑ fiiCIL111LSERVIC£lOYL ❑ R1MIfJ.ILfFRY/ACCTG ❑ W.mR1atA594fAM7 ❑ (CLIP ALL LOCATfONS FOR SfGNATi.1RE) Resolution supporting a petition calling for the creation of task-force to examine global warming in Minnesota, or alternatively, the development of a generic environmental impact statement on greenhouse gas emissions and climatic change in Minnesota which has been sub- mitted to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board by the Minnesotans for an Energy-Effic Economy. 77 PLANNING COMMISSION CIB COMMITTEE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION When, Has this persoMm� eMer vroAced under a conVadtor this departme�t? YES NO Fias this PeBOrJfirm ever heen a dty emDbYee? YES NO Dces this persoNfiim possesc a sltlll iwt nortnallypossessed by any curteM ciry employee'7 YES NO Is Mis pe�soNfirm a tarpetetl vendoR , YES NO omin all ves ansvrers on senarate sheM antl attach to areen sheet � A petition was submitted to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board on September 3, 1998 by Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The Saint Paul City Council will be on record d supporting the petition submitted to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board by hSinnesoCans for an Energy-Efficient Economy. None The Saint Paul City Council will neto�e enorecord as supporting the petition submitted to NOUN7 OF TRANSACTION SOURCE INFORMATION (IXPWN) COS7/REVENUE BUDGEfED (CIRCLE ONE� AC7NITYNUMBER YES NO Petition to the EQB � Page 1 • BEFORE TI� MINNESOTA ENVIItONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD In the Matter of the Petition for an Interdepartmental and Citizen Task Force on Global Warming in Minnesota or a Generic Environmental Impact Statement on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climatic Change in Minnesota ) ) ) ) ) ) PETTTION �-��� INTRODUCTION Pursuant to Minn. Stat. §§ 116C.01 and 116C.04, Subd. 2 and Subd. 4, and Minn. Rules 4405.0800, Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ME3) hereby petitions the EQB to establish an Tnterdepartmental and Citizen Task Force on Global Warming in Minnesota. Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 4405.0600, Subpt. 5, ME3 requests that the EQB chairperson place this matter on the agenda for the next EQB meeting. Alternatively, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 116D.04, and Minn. Rules . 4410.3800, ME3 hereby petitions the EQB to conduct a generic envirorunental impact statement on greenhouse gas emissions and climatic change in Minnesota. Minnesota, like the Earth, is warming. According to ME3's analysis of 33 Minnesota weather stations, Minnesota temperatures have increased by as much as 4.3 degrees Fahrenheit this century, and all but two of the 33 stations have reported increased temperatures. Due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, warxning is expected to continue at an increasing rate. As discussed in ME3's recent report, "Playing with Fire;' the changing climate threatens Minnesota's economy and its iratural heritage —its agriculture, its forests, its wetlands, its cold- water�fisheries, its winter recreation, and its parks. Parks that are geographically very close to dryer, warmer ecosystems, like Itasca State Pazk, may be the first to see changes in vegetation, according to modeling of the U.S. Global Change Research Program. L� • C� . Petition to the EQB Page 3 ��,��� ongoing responsibility of the task force with periodic recommendations to the EQB to raise global warming issues in significant state and local actions. 6. Consider pubJic policy options to address climate change, including policies to (a) reduce greenhouse gas emissions, (b) develop technologies which will allow for deeper reductions needed in the future, (c) permanently sequester cazbon dioxide, and (d} prepaze to adapt to further climatic changes which cannot be avoided. This should be an ongoing responsibility of the task force, with recommendations for reasonable policies to the EQB on December 1 of each year to help inform the legislative process, beginning December 1, 1998. Addressing global warming and its likely climatic impacts in Minriesota is of the highest public importance for the future of Minnesota's economy and environment. The EQB should exercise leadership on the climate issue by estabiishing an Interdepartmental and Citizen Task Force on Global Warming in Minnesota to address these significant economic and environmental issues. I. Determine Iiow Much Minnesota Has Wazmed This Century. According to ME3's new analysis of 33 Minnesota weather stations, Minnesota, like the rest of the Earth, is warming. Indeed, consistent with models which project that higher latitudes will warm more than equatorial regions, Minnesota is warming at a rate substantially greater than the global average. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Second Assessment in 1995 reported that average world surface temperatures have increased by about 1.0 degree Fahrenheit_ over the last century. Minnesota is warming even faster. ME3 recently analyzed temperature records from 33 weather stations in Minnesota based on data taken from the i3nited States Historical Climatology Network. The results of ME3's analysis aze enclosed with the original of this petition, and are being mailed to all EQB members. Minnesota temperature records from the past 100 years show that annual mean temperatures increased at a statistically significant level at 19 of the 33 stations tested. All but five of the 33 weather stations reported increases in annual mean temperature, and 20 of the stations reporting more than 1.0 degree • � Petition to the EQB Page 5 IIL Monitor Reseazch On The Likely Impacts Of Continued Wanning And Climatic Change On Minnesota's Economy And Natural Resources. �a-N'S`� Due to the rapid accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, it is likely that the wamung will continue, and at an increasing rate. In 1995, the Intergovemmental Panel on Climate Change projected that global average surface . temperature will increase by 2.0 to 6.5 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100, a rate of increase much faster than anything observed over the last 10,000 years. Temperature increases are likely to be even higher in Minnesota, probably 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit according to the best availabie climatic models. Although there is uncertainty associated with future climatic change, because atmospheric-changes of this magnitude are unprecedented in the human experience, there is no science which demonstrates that fossil fuel use and other greenhouse gas emissions will not cause more warming, and more rapid warming, in the future. As ME3 reported earlier this year in Playing with Fire: Global Warming in Minnesota, which was based on studies by and interviews with many scientists who conduct climate change xesearch, Minnesota's economy and natural heritage are at risk from confinued warming. Specifically, Playing With Fire reported that: Many of Minnesota's forests are likely to suffer die-back due to pests, diseases, and forests fires if the rate and magnitude of warnung are not reduced. (p. 6) Forest die-back is especially likely to occur at places near the forest- prairie boundary, like Itasca State Park. (p. 3) Agricultural production is threatened by unpredictable changes in weather pattems and by pests, which will have expanded ranges and longer growing seasons if warming continues. (p. 4) • Populations of cold water species, such as trout, will be reduced, if not eliminated, by continued warming. (p. 8) Reductions in winter ice levels from the warming will endanger people who are ice fishing or snowmobiling on lakes. (p. 8) • .• `J � Petition to the EQB Page 7 constructive action which the EQB covld take to encourage greenhouse gas reductions or better planning for future global warming impacts. �� - ��� VI. Conduct an Inventory of Public Policy Options To Address Global Wamung, Induding Eaussion Reductions, Technology Development, Cazbon Sequestration, And Adaption To Climatic Changes Which Cannot Be Avoided. While planning for eaussion reductions and monitoring for scientific, national, and intemational developments, the task force should assemble state policy ideas which could reduce emissions, develop emissions reduction technology, sequester carbon, and prepare for adaption to climatic changes which cannot be avoided. The task force should assess policy ideas for effectiveness in reducing greenhouse emissions and annually make recommendations to the EQB about which policies are likely to reduce global warming while improving Minnesota's economy and quality of life and positioning Minnesota for leadership in the future. CONCLUSION The Environmental Quality Board should establish an interdepartmental and citizen task force, or initiate a generic environmental 'unpact statement, to confirm the extent of current warming in Minnesota, to assess the impacts that climatic changes are likely to have on Minnesota's economy and environment in the future, and to plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and managing natural resources in anticipation of future climatic changes. Respectfully Subrrutted, Michael Noble Executive Director Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy 46 East Fourth Street, Suite 600 Saint Paul, MN 55101 (612) 225-1133 Dated: couo�a Fae # q4- �13� o�����A� RESOLUTION OF SA{NT PAUL, MiNNESOTA r�e�t�a Refeaed To Green Sheet # G y° R� Committee Date o�� RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A PETITION CALLING FOR THE CREATION OF A TASK FORCE ON GLOBAL WARMING IN MINNESOTA, OR ALTERNATIVELY, TFIE DEVELOPMENT OF A GENERIC ENVII20NMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ON GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND CLIMATIC CHANGE IN MINNESOTA WHICH HAS BEEN SUBMI'ITED TO TYE MII�INESOTA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD BY MINNESOTANS FOR AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT ECONOMY 1 WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul understands the effects of global warming and respects our natural 2 resources;and 3 WHEREAS, scienfific evidence of atmospheric wanuing continues to grow, including recent findings that 4 Minnesota's temperatures have increased as much as 4 degrees FaUrenheit in some locations this cenhuy and 5 that the 1990s was the Earth's warmest decade of the miliennium; 6 WHEREAS, between 1988 and 1997, heat waves, storms, floods, and other extreme weather events in the 7 ilnited States caused an estimated $140 billion in properiy damage; and WI�REAS, local governments bear the brunt of the human and economic damage that resuit from the effects of global wanuing; and 10 WHEREAS, the Mimiesota Environmental Quality Boazd plays a vital role in Mimiesota's environment 11 through the development of policy, the crearion of long-term plans and the review of proposed projects that 12 significantly influence the future of Minnesota's environment; and 13 WHEREAS, there is a need to provide local governments and the public with official information and a reliable 14 fonun about global wanuing, and to begin to provide the State of Mimiesota with an ongoing instihxtional 15 capacity to deal with global warming; now therefore be it 16 RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council strongly supports the perition submitted on September 3, 1998 to 17 the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board by Mimiesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ME3); and be 18 it 19 FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council requests, pursuant to ME3's petition, that the 20 Minuesota Environmental Quality Board establish an Interdepartmental and Citizen Task Force on Global 21 Warming in Miuuesota or, alternatively, that the Minnesota Environmental Quality Boazd conduct a generic 22 environmental impact statement on greenhouse gas emissions and climatic change in Mimiesota. a9-43y Requested by Department of: Adopted by Council: Date ��,_ � Adoption Certified by Council Secre BY' �� �S� Approved by Mayor: Date _ � � Form Approved by City Attomey � Approved by Mayoz for Submission to Council � \ � � � 99-y3� City Gouncil JTACT PERSOP7 g PFKKJE oare ixmnTm 5-10-99 GREEN SHEET No 640'77 5-19-99 1\SS1Gx NUMBERFOR ROUi1NG ORDER TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PQGES oe+�rtirarnnErcrart ❑ rnv�ttawEV ❑ arrttEnK _ ❑ fiiCIL111LSERVIC£lOYL ❑ R1MIfJ.ILfFRY/ACCTG ❑ W.mR1atA594fAM7 ❑ (CLIP ALL LOCATfONS FOR SfGNATi.1RE) Resolution supporting a petition calling for the creation of task-force to examine global warming in Minnesota, or alternatively, the development of a generic environmental impact statement on greenhouse gas emissions and climatic change in Minnesota which has been sub- mitted to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board by the Minnesotans for an Energy-Effic Economy. 77 PLANNING COMMISSION CIB COMMITTEE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION When, Has this persoMm� eMer vroAced under a conVadtor this departme�t? YES NO Fias this PeBOrJfirm ever heen a dty emDbYee? YES NO Dces this persoNfiim possesc a sltlll iwt nortnallypossessed by any curteM ciry employee'7 YES NO Is Mis pe�soNfirm a tarpetetl vendoR , YES NO omin all ves ansvrers on senarate sheM antl attach to areen sheet � A petition was submitted to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board on September 3, 1998 by Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The Saint Paul City Council will be on record d supporting the petition submitted to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board by hSinnesoCans for an Energy-Efficient Economy. None The Saint Paul City Council will neto�e enorecord as supporting the petition submitted to NOUN7 OF TRANSACTION SOURCE INFORMATION (IXPWN) COS7/REVENUE BUDGEfED (CIRCLE ONE� AC7NITYNUMBER YES NO Petition to the EQB � Page 1 • BEFORE TI� MINNESOTA ENVIItONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD In the Matter of the Petition for an Interdepartmental and Citizen Task Force on Global Warming in Minnesota or a Generic Environmental Impact Statement on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climatic Change in Minnesota ) ) ) ) ) ) PETTTION �-��� INTRODUCTION Pursuant to Minn. Stat. §§ 116C.01 and 116C.04, Subd. 2 and Subd. 4, and Minn. Rules 4405.0800, Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ME3) hereby petitions the EQB to establish an Tnterdepartmental and Citizen Task Force on Global Warming in Minnesota. Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 4405.0600, Subpt. 5, ME3 requests that the EQB chairperson place this matter on the agenda for the next EQB meeting. Alternatively, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 116D.04, and Minn. Rules . 4410.3800, ME3 hereby petitions the EQB to conduct a generic envirorunental impact statement on greenhouse gas emissions and climatic change in Minnesota. Minnesota, like the Earth, is warming. According to ME3's analysis of 33 Minnesota weather stations, Minnesota temperatures have increased by as much as 4.3 degrees Fahrenheit this century, and all but two of the 33 stations have reported increased temperatures. Due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, warxning is expected to continue at an increasing rate. As discussed in ME3's recent report, "Playing with Fire;' the changing climate threatens Minnesota's economy and its iratural heritage —its agriculture, its forests, its wetlands, its cold- water�fisheries, its winter recreation, and its parks. Parks that are geographically very close to dryer, warmer ecosystems, like Itasca State Pazk, may be the first to see changes in vegetation, according to modeling of the U.S. Global Change Research Program. L� • C� . Petition to the EQB Page 3 ��,��� ongoing responsibility of the task force with periodic recommendations to the EQB to raise global warming issues in significant state and local actions. 6. Consider pubJic policy options to address climate change, including policies to (a) reduce greenhouse gas emissions, (b) develop technologies which will allow for deeper reductions needed in the future, (c) permanently sequester cazbon dioxide, and (d} prepaze to adapt to further climatic changes which cannot be avoided. This should be an ongoing responsibility of the task force, with recommendations for reasonable policies to the EQB on December 1 of each year to help inform the legislative process, beginning December 1, 1998. Addressing global warming and its likely climatic impacts in Minriesota is of the highest public importance for the future of Minnesota's economy and environment. The EQB should exercise leadership on the climate issue by estabiishing an Interdepartmental and Citizen Task Force on Global Warming in Minnesota to address these significant economic and environmental issues. I. Determine Iiow Much Minnesota Has Wazmed This Century. According to ME3's new analysis of 33 Minnesota weather stations, Minnesota, like the rest of the Earth, is warming. Indeed, consistent with models which project that higher latitudes will warm more than equatorial regions, Minnesota is warming at a rate substantially greater than the global average. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Second Assessment in 1995 reported that average world surface temperatures have increased by about 1.0 degree Fahrenheit_ over the last century. Minnesota is warming even faster. ME3 recently analyzed temperature records from 33 weather stations in Minnesota based on data taken from the i3nited States Historical Climatology Network. The results of ME3's analysis aze enclosed with the original of this petition, and are being mailed to all EQB members. Minnesota temperature records from the past 100 years show that annual mean temperatures increased at a statistically significant level at 19 of the 33 stations tested. All but five of the 33 weather stations reported increases in annual mean temperature, and 20 of the stations reporting more than 1.0 degree • � Petition to the EQB Page 5 IIL Monitor Reseazch On The Likely Impacts Of Continued Wanning And Climatic Change On Minnesota's Economy And Natural Resources. �a-N'S`� Due to the rapid accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, it is likely that the wamung will continue, and at an increasing rate. In 1995, the Intergovemmental Panel on Climate Change projected that global average surface . temperature will increase by 2.0 to 6.5 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100, a rate of increase much faster than anything observed over the last 10,000 years. Temperature increases are likely to be even higher in Minnesota, probably 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit according to the best availabie climatic models. Although there is uncertainty associated with future climatic change, because atmospheric-changes of this magnitude are unprecedented in the human experience, there is no science which demonstrates that fossil fuel use and other greenhouse gas emissions will not cause more warming, and more rapid warming, in the future. As ME3 reported earlier this year in Playing with Fire: Global Warming in Minnesota, which was based on studies by and interviews with many scientists who conduct climate change xesearch, Minnesota's economy and natural heritage are at risk from confinued warming. Specifically, Playing With Fire reported that: Many of Minnesota's forests are likely to suffer die-back due to pests, diseases, and forests fires if the rate and magnitude of warnung are not reduced. (p. 6) Forest die-back is especially likely to occur at places near the forest- prairie boundary, like Itasca State Park. (p. 3) Agricultural production is threatened by unpredictable changes in weather pattems and by pests, which will have expanded ranges and longer growing seasons if warming continues. (p. 4) • Populations of cold water species, such as trout, will be reduced, if not eliminated, by continued warming. (p. 8) Reductions in winter ice levels from the warming will endanger people who are ice fishing or snowmobiling on lakes. (p. 8) • .• `J � Petition to the EQB Page 7 constructive action which the EQB covld take to encourage greenhouse gas reductions or better planning for future global warming impacts. �� - ��� VI. Conduct an Inventory of Public Policy Options To Address Global Wamung, Induding Eaussion Reductions, Technology Development, Cazbon Sequestration, And Adaption To Climatic Changes Which Cannot Be Avoided. While planning for eaussion reductions and monitoring for scientific, national, and intemational developments, the task force should assemble state policy ideas which could reduce emissions, develop emissions reduction technology, sequester carbon, and prepare for adaption to climatic changes which cannot be avoided. The task force should assess policy ideas for effectiveness in reducing greenhouse emissions and annually make recommendations to the EQB about which policies are likely to reduce global warming while improving Minnesota's economy and quality of life and positioning Minnesota for leadership in the future. CONCLUSION The Environmental Quality Board should establish an interdepartmental and citizen task force, or initiate a generic environmental 'unpact statement, to confirm the extent of current warming in Minnesota, to assess the impacts that climatic changes are likely to have on Minnesota's economy and environment in the future, and to plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and managing natural resources in anticipation of future climatic changes. Respectfully Subrrutted, Michael Noble Executive Director Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy 46 East Fourth Street, Suite 600 Saint Paul, MN 55101 (612) 225-1133 Dated: couo�a Fae # q4- �13� o�����A� RESOLUTION OF SA{NT PAUL, MiNNESOTA r�e�t�a Refeaed To Green Sheet # G y° R� Committee Date o�� RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A PETITION CALLING FOR THE CREATION OF A TASK FORCE ON GLOBAL WARMING IN MINNESOTA, OR ALTERNATIVELY, TFIE DEVELOPMENT OF A GENERIC ENVII20NMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ON GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND CLIMATIC CHANGE IN MINNESOTA WHICH HAS BEEN SUBMI'ITED TO TYE MII�INESOTA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD BY MINNESOTANS FOR AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT ECONOMY 1 WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul understands the effects of global warming and respects our natural 2 resources;and 3 WHEREAS, scienfific evidence of atmospheric wanuing continues to grow, including recent findings that 4 Minnesota's temperatures have increased as much as 4 degrees FaUrenheit in some locations this cenhuy and 5 that the 1990s was the Earth's warmest decade of the miliennium; 6 WHEREAS, between 1988 and 1997, heat waves, storms, floods, and other extreme weather events in the 7 ilnited States caused an estimated $140 billion in properiy damage; and WI�REAS, local governments bear the brunt of the human and economic damage that resuit from the effects of global wanuing; and 10 WHEREAS, the Mimiesota Environmental Quality Boazd plays a vital role in Mimiesota's environment 11 through the development of policy, the crearion of long-term plans and the review of proposed projects that 12 significantly influence the future of Minnesota's environment; and 13 WHEREAS, there is a need to provide local governments and the public with official information and a reliable 14 fonun about global wanuing, and to begin to provide the State of Mimiesota with an ongoing instihxtional 15 capacity to deal with global warming; now therefore be it 16 RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council strongly supports the perition submitted on September 3, 1998 to 17 the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board by Mimiesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ME3); and be 18 it 19 FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council requests, pursuant to ME3's petition, that the 20 Minuesota Environmental Quality Board establish an Interdepartmental and Citizen Task Force on Global 21 Warming in Miuuesota or, alternatively, that the Minnesota Environmental Quality Boazd conduct a generic 22 environmental impact statement on greenhouse gas emissions and climatic change in Mimiesota. a9-43y Requested by Department of: Adopted by Council: Date ��,_ � Adoption Certified by Council Secre BY' �� �S� Approved by Mayor: Date _ � � Form Approved by City Attomey � Approved by Mayoz for Submission to Council � \ � � � 99-y3� City Gouncil JTACT PERSOP7 g PFKKJE oare ixmnTm 5-10-99 GREEN SHEET No 640'77 5-19-99 1\SS1Gx NUMBERFOR ROUi1NG ORDER TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PQGES oe+�rtirarnnErcrart ❑ rnv�ttawEV ❑ arrttEnK _ ❑ fiiCIL111LSERVIC£lOYL ❑ R1MIfJ.ILfFRY/ACCTG ❑ W.mR1atA594fAM7 ❑ (CLIP ALL LOCATfONS FOR SfGNATi.1RE) Resolution supporting a petition calling for the creation of task-force to examine global warming in Minnesota, or alternatively, the development of a generic environmental impact statement on greenhouse gas emissions and climatic change in Minnesota which has been sub- mitted to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board by the Minnesotans for an Energy-Effic Economy. 77 PLANNING COMMISSION CIB COMMITTEE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION When, Has this persoMm� eMer vroAced under a conVadtor this departme�t? YES NO Fias this PeBOrJfirm ever heen a dty emDbYee? YES NO Dces this persoNfiim possesc a sltlll iwt nortnallypossessed by any curteM ciry employee'7 YES NO Is Mis pe�soNfirm a tarpetetl vendoR , YES NO omin all ves ansvrers on senarate sheM antl attach to areen sheet � A petition was submitted to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board on September 3, 1998 by Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The Saint Paul City Council will be on record d supporting the petition submitted to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board by hSinnesoCans for an Energy-Efficient Economy. None The Saint Paul City Council will neto�e enorecord as supporting the petition submitted to NOUN7 OF TRANSACTION SOURCE INFORMATION (IXPWN) COS7/REVENUE BUDGEfED (CIRCLE ONE� AC7NITYNUMBER YES NO Petition to the EQB � Page 1 • BEFORE TI� MINNESOTA ENVIItONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD In the Matter of the Petition for an Interdepartmental and Citizen Task Force on Global Warming in Minnesota or a Generic Environmental Impact Statement on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climatic Change in Minnesota ) ) ) ) ) ) PETTTION �-��� INTRODUCTION Pursuant to Minn. Stat. §§ 116C.01 and 116C.04, Subd. 2 and Subd. 4, and Minn. Rules 4405.0800, Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ME3) hereby petitions the EQB to establish an Tnterdepartmental and Citizen Task Force on Global Warming in Minnesota. Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 4405.0600, Subpt. 5, ME3 requests that the EQB chairperson place this matter on the agenda for the next EQB meeting. Alternatively, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 116D.04, and Minn. Rules . 4410.3800, ME3 hereby petitions the EQB to conduct a generic envirorunental impact statement on greenhouse gas emissions and climatic change in Minnesota. Minnesota, like the Earth, is warming. According to ME3's analysis of 33 Minnesota weather stations, Minnesota temperatures have increased by as much as 4.3 degrees Fahrenheit this century, and all but two of the 33 stations have reported increased temperatures. Due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, warxning is expected to continue at an increasing rate. As discussed in ME3's recent report, "Playing with Fire;' the changing climate threatens Minnesota's economy and its iratural heritage —its agriculture, its forests, its wetlands, its cold- water�fisheries, its winter recreation, and its parks. Parks that are geographically very close to dryer, warmer ecosystems, like Itasca State Pazk, may be the first to see changes in vegetation, according to modeling of the U.S. Global Change Research Program. L� • C� . Petition to the EQB Page 3 ��,��� ongoing responsibility of the task force with periodic recommendations to the EQB to raise global warming issues in significant state and local actions. 6. Consider pubJic policy options to address climate change, including policies to (a) reduce greenhouse gas emissions, (b) develop technologies which will allow for deeper reductions needed in the future, (c) permanently sequester cazbon dioxide, and (d} prepaze to adapt to further climatic changes which cannot be avoided. This should be an ongoing responsibility of the task force, with recommendations for reasonable policies to the EQB on December 1 of each year to help inform the legislative process, beginning December 1, 1998. Addressing global warming and its likely climatic impacts in Minriesota is of the highest public importance for the future of Minnesota's economy and environment. The EQB should exercise leadership on the climate issue by estabiishing an Interdepartmental and Citizen Task Force on Global Warming in Minnesota to address these significant economic and environmental issues. I. Determine Iiow Much Minnesota Has Wazmed This Century. According to ME3's new analysis of 33 Minnesota weather stations, Minnesota, like the rest of the Earth, is warming. Indeed, consistent with models which project that higher latitudes will warm more than equatorial regions, Minnesota is warming at a rate substantially greater than the global average. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Second Assessment in 1995 reported that average world surface temperatures have increased by about 1.0 degree Fahrenheit_ over the last century. Minnesota is warming even faster. ME3 recently analyzed temperature records from 33 weather stations in Minnesota based on data taken from the i3nited States Historical Climatology Network. The results of ME3's analysis aze enclosed with the original of this petition, and are being mailed to all EQB members. Minnesota temperature records from the past 100 years show that annual mean temperatures increased at a statistically significant level at 19 of the 33 stations tested. All but five of the 33 weather stations reported increases in annual mean temperature, and 20 of the stations reporting more than 1.0 degree • � Petition to the EQB Page 5 IIL Monitor Reseazch On The Likely Impacts Of Continued Wanning And Climatic Change On Minnesota's Economy And Natural Resources. �a-N'S`� Due to the rapid accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, it is likely that the wamung will continue, and at an increasing rate. In 1995, the Intergovemmental Panel on Climate Change projected that global average surface . temperature will increase by 2.0 to 6.5 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100, a rate of increase much faster than anything observed over the last 10,000 years. Temperature increases are likely to be even higher in Minnesota, probably 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit according to the best availabie climatic models. Although there is uncertainty associated with future climatic change, because atmospheric-changes of this magnitude are unprecedented in the human experience, there is no science which demonstrates that fossil fuel use and other greenhouse gas emissions will not cause more warming, and more rapid warming, in the future. As ME3 reported earlier this year in Playing with Fire: Global Warming in Minnesota, which was based on studies by and interviews with many scientists who conduct climate change xesearch, Minnesota's economy and natural heritage are at risk from confinued warming. Specifically, Playing With Fire reported that: Many of Minnesota's forests are likely to suffer die-back due to pests, diseases, and forests fires if the rate and magnitude of warnung are not reduced. (p. 6) Forest die-back is especially likely to occur at places near the forest- prairie boundary, like Itasca State Park. (p. 3) Agricultural production is threatened by unpredictable changes in weather pattems and by pests, which will have expanded ranges and longer growing seasons if warming continues. (p. 4) • Populations of cold water species, such as trout, will be reduced, if not eliminated, by continued warming. (p. 8) Reductions in winter ice levels from the warming will endanger people who are ice fishing or snowmobiling on lakes. (p. 8) • .• `J � Petition to the EQB Page 7 constructive action which the EQB covld take to encourage greenhouse gas reductions or better planning for future global warming impacts. �� - ��� VI. Conduct an Inventory of Public Policy Options To Address Global Wamung, Induding Eaussion Reductions, Technology Development, Cazbon Sequestration, And Adaption To Climatic Changes Which Cannot Be Avoided. While planning for eaussion reductions and monitoring for scientific, national, and intemational developments, the task force should assemble state policy ideas which could reduce emissions, develop emissions reduction technology, sequester carbon, and prepare for adaption to climatic changes which cannot be avoided. The task force should assess policy ideas for effectiveness in reducing greenhouse emissions and annually make recommendations to the EQB about which policies are likely to reduce global warming while improving Minnesota's economy and quality of life and positioning Minnesota for leadership in the future. CONCLUSION The Environmental Quality Board should establish an interdepartmental and citizen task force, or initiate a generic environmental 'unpact statement, to confirm the extent of current warming in Minnesota, to assess the impacts that climatic changes are likely to have on Minnesota's economy and environment in the future, and to plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and managing natural resources in anticipation of future climatic changes. Respectfully Subrrutted, Michael Noble Executive Director Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy 46 East Fourth Street, Suite 600 Saint Paul, MN 55101 (612) 225-1133 Dated: