Energy & Environment

Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emission track record, in six charts

By: Rilyn Eischens - February 19, 2021 6:00 am

A bulldozer pushes high-energy grade garbage at a portion of the city’s power plant that has been converted to burn garbage August 3, 2007 in Nuemuenster, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Minnesota regulators are forging ahead with proposed “clean car” standards, with public hearings on the controversial rule beginning next week.

The new proposed standards from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency aim to give Minnesotans more electric car options and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Republicans have voiced opposition to the plan, saying it would make cars more expensive; supporters are adamant that it’s a necessary step to curb climate change.

Transportation is one of the biggest sources of Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emissions — carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to climate change.

Here’s more on Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emissions, in six charts.

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Rilyn Eischens

Rilyn Eischens is a former data reporter for the Minnesota Reformer. Rilyn was born and raised in Minnesota and has worked in newsrooms in the Twin Cities, Iowa, Texas and most recently Virginia, where she covered education for The Staunton News Leader. She's an alumna of the Dow Jones News Fund data journalism program and the Minnesota Daily. When Rilyn isn't in the newsroom, she likes to read, add to her plant collection and try new recipes.