Minnesota Agencies

The Governor's Council on Biofuels is created to advise the Governor, and the Commissioners of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Commerce, and the Pollution Control Agency on the role of biofuels in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and recommend policy and budget proposals to foster growth in the production and use of biofuels. The Department of Agriculture must submit a report to the Governor, based upon the Council's recommendations, by November 1, 2020.

The Council released a report on November 2, 2020 with their findings, conclusions, and recommendations that resulted from a nine-month-long consensus-building process. Topics of discussion included E15 (gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol) and mid-level blends, biodiesel, and biofuels infrastructure; low-c arbon fuel standard (LCFS); biofuels use in the state fleet; public understanding and marketing; vehicles and biofuels; advanced biofuels; and benzene/BTEX.

The Council must consist of 15 members appointed by the Governor representing agriculture, the biofuels industry, transportation, environmental and conservation interests, and other relevant stakeholders.

Council Members:

• Gary Anderson – Eagan, MN
• Michael Bull – Northfield Township, MN
• John Christianson – Lake Lillian, MN
• Elizabeth Crow – Minneapolis, MN
• Tim Gross – Duluth, MN
• Chris Hanson – Fountain, MN
• Rick Horton – Grand Rapids, MN
• Kevin Lee – Minneapolis, MN
• Lance Klatt – Little Canada, MN
• Jeanne McCaherty – Prior Lake, MN
• Mick Miller – Morris, MN
• Kevin Paap – Lake Crystal, MN
• Brian Thalmann – Plato, MN
• Gary Wertish – Renville, MN
• Bob Worth – Lake Benton, MN