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SF2258 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Provisions to petition for preparation of environmental assessment worksheets modifications

Related bill: HF1204

AI Generated Summary

This bill, Minnesota Senate File No. 2258, proposes modifications to the environmental review process in Minnesota, specifically regarding environmental assessment worksheets (EAWs) and environmental impact statements (EISs).

Key Provisions:

  1. Changes to Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Requirements:

    • Major governmental actions with potential for significant environmental effects must be preceded by a detailed EIS.
    • The EIS must analyze environmental, economic, employment, and sociological impacts.
    • Categories of actions requiring EAWs or EISs (or exempt from review) will be defined by board rules.
    • Certain ethanol and biobutanol plants are exempt from automatically requiring an EAW or EIS unless they exceed specific production capacities.

  2. Petition Process for Environmental Assessment Worksheets (EAWs):

    • EAWs must be prepared when at least 100 Minnesota residents or property owners, or a Minnesota Tribal government, submit a petition demonstrating potential for significant environmental effects.
    • The petition must be submitted to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB), which will determine the appropriate responsible governmental unit (RGU).
    • The RGU must decide on the need for an EAW within 15 days, which may be extended once by an additional 15 days.

  3. Administrative Procedures and Timeframes:

    • Publication of EAW completion must occur in local newspapers and on an official government website.
    • Public comments on the need for an EIS are allowed for 30 days, with a possible one-time 30-day extension if needed.
    • A decision on the necessity of an EIS must be made within 15 days after the public comment period closes.
    • The timeline for completing an EIS is 280 days, unless extended by consent or by the governor.

  4. Rules for Environmental Review Process:

    • The EQB must establish by rule the agencies responsible for environmental review, proper formats for assessments, and review procedures to minimize duplication across agencies.
    • The board is authorized to implement procedures to expedite environmental reviews, including allowing action proposers to submit preliminary draft EISs.

  5. Assessment of Costs for Environmental Review:

    • The board must establish procedures to assess reasonable costs to proposers of projects that require an EIS.
    • Responsible governmental units may allow proposers to prepare preliminary draft EISs.

Overall Impact:

  • The bill seeks to streamline and clarify the environmental review process while maintaining public participation.
  • It facilitates early identification of environmental concerns while setting clear timelines for decision-making.
  • It ensures accountability by allowing public petitions and cost-sharing for environmental assessments.

Would you like further clarification on any particular section?

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 05, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 05, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 05, 2025HouseFloorActionReferred toEnvironment, Climate, and Legacy
March 05, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toEnvironment, Climate, and Legacy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies specific exemptions for ethanol and biobutanol facilities regarding mandatory environmental assessment worksheets."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Eliminates requirements for mandatory environmental impact statements for certain cellulosic biofuel facilities."
      ],
      "summary": "The bill modifies the circumstances under which an environmental impact statement must be prepared for major governmental actions in section 116D.04, subdivision 2a.",
      "modified": [
        "Describes the procedure for public notification and comment periods for environmental assessment worksheets."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "116D.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Introduces new language aligning scoping processes with changes in subdivision 2a."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill updates rulemaking requirements for environmental review processes under section 116D.04, subdivision 5a.",
      "modified": [
        "Establishes procedures for incorporating permit identification in the environmental review."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "116D.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Allows proposers to prepare draft statements following new paragraph guidelines."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill amends the rules for assessing costs for environmental impact statements under section 116D.045, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts the method for determining costs associated with environmental statement preparation."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "116D.045",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  }
]

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