Minnesota governor forms subcabinet to help state fight climate change

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has established a pair of panels to advise him on ways that Minnesota can tackle the problem of climate change.

Walz signed an executive order on Monday to form a climate change subcabinet of state agency leaders. It’ll be led by Laura Bishop, commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. He’ll also appoint a Governor’s Advisory Council on Climate Change.

The subcabinet will be tasked with identifying policies and strategies for meeting or exceeding goals set by a 2007 state law for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The 15-member advisory council will provide perspectives to the subcabinet.

Walz earlier this year announced plans for reducing greenhouse gases by encouraging the switch to electric vehicles. He has also proposed requiring electrical utilities to go carbon-free by 2050.