Minnesota Not On Track To Meet Emission Reductions

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - State officials say Minnesota is not on track to meet federal emissions reductions aimed at addressing climate change.

That's despite Minnesota's renewable energy standard and new solar law.

Minnesota would need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than a third by 2030 under proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules.

But David Thornton, an assistant commissioner for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, says the state is on track to reduce emissions only by 3 percent by then.

Thornton says Minnesota needs a variety of new or expanded strategies to reduce emissions.

Thornton spoke Thursday at a forum held by the nonprofit Environmental Initiative.