Bill > SF4126

This bill, known as the "Greenhouse Gas Pollution Superfund Act," establishes a program to recover costs associated with greenhouse gas pollution from entities responsible for significant emissions between 1995 and 2026. "Responsible parties" are defined as businesses involved in extracting fossil fuels or refining crude oil that contributed over one billion metric tons of covered greenhouse gas emissions, measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. These parties will be subject to a "cost-recovery demand," a charge calculated based on their proportional share of emissions and the total costs to the state and its residents resulting from climate change impacts, as assessed by the state auditor. Payments can be made in a lump sum or over nine annual installments, with provisions for interest and accelerated payments in certain circumstances. Funds collected will be deposited into a new "greenhouse gas pollution account" and used to finance "climate change adaptation projects" that are recommended in public plans, with at least 40% of disbursements specifically benefiting "disadvantaged communities," which are defined as areas facing environmental justice concerns or eligible for community energy transition grants. The bill also mandates prevailing wage rates for construction projects funded by the account and requires reporting on the program's financial status and project outcomes.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2026/0/SF/4126/