The following is the text of Executive Order 06-03 signed by Governor Tim Pawlenty yesterday requiring increasing the use of renewable fuels by state agencies. The following is the text of Executive Order 06-03:

            I, TIM PAWLENTY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and applicable statutes, do hereby issue this executive order: 

            WHEREAS, state government is a major consumer of energy and transportation costs represent a substantial operating expense for state government and the taxpayers; and

            WHEREAS, state government should be a leader in adopting renewable fuel practices that further national fuel diversity and long-term energy, security, environmental and economic goals; and

            WHEREAS, Minnesota's rural communities and agricultural economy will benefit significantly from increased use of renewable fuels including increasing the demand for corn and soybeans, improving net farm incomes, improving our rural economies, creating new renewable fuels and developing industry-related jobs; and

            WHEREAS, Minnesota leads the nation in the production and use of ethanol and biodiesel and the state has shown great commitment to the development of these alternative fuels through legislation and through its participation in associations such as the Governors' Ethanol Coalition; and

            WHEREAS, previous executive orders relating to energy use have required state departments to reduce air pollution (04-08), use cleaner and more fuel efficient vehicles (04-10), reduce overall energy consumption (05-16) and have created procedures to track state progress and compliance with these goals; and

            WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Sections 16C.135 and 16C.137, which enacted Executive Order 04-10 into law, require state departments to purchase vehicles that use cleaner fuels like ethanol, biodiesel, hybrid electric power and hydrogen and Minnesota Statutes, Section 239.77 requires all diesel fuel sold in Minnesota to be biodiesel.                    

            NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby order:

1.         All state departments are directed to immediately take all reasonable actions necessary to strengthen the infrastructure for increasing the availability and usage of E85 and biodiesel fuel throughout the state.

2.         All state employees utilizing vehicles from the state's fleet shall, whenever practical, use E85 fuel when operating flexible-fuel vehicles.  For the purpose of this executive order, the term "whenever practical" refers to the reasonableness of obtaining E85.

3.         The Smart Fleet Committee is directed to develop a plan to facilitate usage of E-85 and biodiesel in state vehicles.  This includes actively pursuing the establishment of additional E-85 refueling facilities at public retail outlets throughout the state.

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2004, Section 4.035, Subd. 2, this Order shall be effective fifteen (15) days after publication in the State Register and filing with the Secretary of State and shall remain in effect until it is rescinded by proper authority or it expires in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 2004, Section 4.035, Subd. 3.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have set my hand on this 9th day of March 2006.