ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton today issued Executive Order 17-12, directing state agencies to reduce waste, conserve energy, and save money across state government. The Executive Order establishes aggressive sustainability goals for all Minnesota state agencies. The new order builds on previous efforts of Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith to make state government more efficient, effective, and accountable for the people it serves.

“Since 2011, we have committed ourselves to constantly improving the efficiency and effectiveness of state government,” said Governor Dayton. “This Executive Order will build on that work – reducing energy use, eliminating waste, and saving money. By meeting these targets, we can improve environmental outcomes and make state government work better for Minnesotans.”

 

“State government is leading by example to show that environmental sustainability and taxpayer savings go hand-in-hand,” said Lt. Governor Smith. “This Executive Order directs state agencies to further incorporate energy conservation, waste reduction, and cost savings into their operations. In addition to the environmental benefits, these goals will make state government more efficient and effective for the people of Minnesota.”

Governor Dayton’s executive order directs state agencies to take action in six key areas: (1) fossil fuel consumption; (2) energy consumption; (3) greenhouse gas emissions; (4) water consumption; (5) solid waste production; and (6) procurement processes. More information about each of these focus areas is below.

 

·         Fossil Fuel Consumption – Governor Dayton’s executive order directs state agencies to reduce fossil fuel consumption by state-owned vehicles by 30 percent by 2027 relative to 2017. Under the Dayton-Smith Administration’s leadership, state government already has added 323 hybrid vehicles and 15 electric vehicles, and installed 52 additional charging stations for a statewide total of 69. The state plans to convert 20 percent of the light fleet to fully-electric vehicles and double the amount currently in the state fleet.

 

·         Energy Consumption – The Governor’s executive order directs a 30 percent reduction in energy consumption per square foot by 2027 relative to a 2017 baseline. To reach this goal, state agencies will implement energy efficiency efforts to reduce consumption and save taxpayers money through lower utility costs. State government already has taken major steps – reducing energy consumption at the State Capitol Complex by 24 percent since 2008.

 

·         Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Governor Dayton’s executive order directs state agencies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2027 relative to 2005. In 2016, Lt. Governor Smith announced a partnership with Xcel Energy to ensure that 33 percent of the base energy used at the State Capitol Complex comes from renewable sources. In addition, the Governor announced a proposal in February to increase Minnesota’s renewable energy standard to 50 percent by 2030.

 

·         Water Consumption – The Governor’s executive order directs state agencies to reduce their water usage by 15 percent by 2025 relative to 2017. Governor Dayton has made water stewardship a priority throughout his administration, securing passage of the landmark water quality buffer law in 2015 and new investments in wastewater treatment infrastructure.

 

·         Solid Waste Production – Governor Dayton’s executive order directs state agencies to achieve a 75 percent combined recycling and composting rate of solid waste by 2030. Under the Dayton-Smith Administration’s leadership, the State Capitol Complex has implemented an enhanced recycling program with a goal of producing zero waste. By attaining a 90 percent recycling rate at the capitol complex, state government would save the equivalent of 42,772 gallons of gasoline.

·         Procurement Processes – The Governor’s executive order directs state agencies to ensure that 25 percent of total spend on priority contracts meet sustainability requirements by 2025. In addition to improving environmental outcomes, sustainable purchasing practices can save taxpayer money. The Office of Higher Education, for example, required that all copiers be set to double-sided – a practice that saved $6,000 in the first year alone.

 

The Office of Enterprise Sustainability was created in 2016 to lead sustainability efforts across state government and hold agencies accountably. The office helps agencies reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water usage, increase energy efficiency and recycling, and operate more efficiently.

 

“Managing state government operations in a way that reduces energy use and contributes to a healthier environment is smart business,” said Administration Commissioner Matt Massman. “By conserving energy in state buildings, embracing renewable energy options, using less water, and increasing the fuel efficiency of state fleet vehicles, we both save money and better align state agency operations with broader efforts to grow clean energy jobs, protect our natural resources, and improve public health.”

 

The Office of Enterprise Sustainability will track the progress towards the goals established in Governor Dayton’s executive order.  Together, the Department of Administration and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will lead the state’s sustainability initiatives.

 

“This is about being systematic,” said Pollution Control Agency Commissioner John Linc Stine. “It’s about the cumulative impact of all of our ideas. Instead of one department working on composting, while another looks at sustainable purchasing, we’re all following the same map.”

 

Previously, the state’s old model to track sustainability work was fractured and inefficient and in some instances, duplicative. The efforts around Sustainability have become systematic and transparent since the Office of Enterprise Sustainability was created last year.

 

Previous Reporting Model	New Reporting Model
No organization around many different sustainability categories	Six strategic sustainability categories
38 agency reporting activities and many activities not being tracked	Six metrics reported to the Office of Enterprise Sustainability
24 state agencies operating independently	One lead steering team sets vision/direction