Clean Air
Background
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reports that:
- CO2 emissions are increasing in Minnesota by an
average of two percent per year
- Increased use of electricity in homes, business,
and industry is partially responsible
- Increased use of electricity causes increasing
greenhouse gas emissions from power plants
- The five most polluting coal plants in Minnesota
emit more than 33 million tons of CO2 each year
- Automobiles are also responsible for global
warming by creating 20 pounds of CO2 for every gallon of gasoline burned
What is Saint Paul Doing?
- Using B20 (20% biodiesel) fuel in Public Works'
diesel vehicles and equipment
- Owning 58 sedans that are
E85
compatible and will continue to ask for and purchase "flex-fuel"
vehicles when feasible in the Public Works fleet
- Maintaining vehicles,
which minimizes emissions and improves fuel economy
- Adopting a “No Vehicle
Idling” policy in Public Works, reducing tailpipe emissions and saving fuel
- Using hydraulic tools instead of
gasoline-powered tools whenever possible in Public Works
- Purchasing and installing diesel retrofit equipment though the Green
Fleet Project to reduce pollution
inside the school buses to outdoor levels, dramatically reducing
childrens’
exposure to pollutants
- Joined the ICLEI, an
international network of 14 cities with a worldwide focus on
environmental / economic transition under the Urban CO2 Reduction
Project in 1992. This project is the first global effort to reduce emissions
of
greenhouse gases.
- Co-founded the
ICLEI Cities for Climate Protection Campaign with Minneapolis, which enlists other
cities
to adopt policies and important measures to achieve quantifiable
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
- Adopted the CO2 Reduction Plan in 1993, which was developed by a
task
force made up of individuals from several departments.
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What Can I Do?
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