MN Sustainability

As business functions slowly returned to normal throughout 2021, we saw an increase in fossil fuel consumption compared to 2020. Though this increase was expected, we were able to continue the overall downward trend we have maintained over the last three years. Much of the work performed by the Weights and Measures Program requires the use of heavy vehicles but, whenever possible, that program has been purchasing light duty vehicles that utilize flex-fuel systems that can utilize E85 fuel.

All of the vehicles leased by Commerce in 2021 had the highest possible Green Fleet Choice ratings. Commerce will continue implementing fleet best practices including leasing vehicles with the highest possible Green Fleet Choice ratings and emphasizing to staff that vehicles should be fueled with E85 whenever possible. Commerce's fossil fuel consumption is less than 1% of the enterprise but we do anticipate the hybrid work environment helping to decrease overall fossil fuel consumption.

Commerce's overall energy use for cooling, heating, and electricity dropped from 2020 to 2021. Despite the mostly empty office space, our buildings continued heating, cooling, and lighting as usual, suggesting the additional energy savings will be within reach once the office space becomes occupied again. We expect the increase in remote working options for state employees to help us continue to decrease our energy consumption.

Both the Golden Rule Building in Saint Paul and the Southcross Building in Burnsville are leased spaces, so Commerce is limited in its ability to fully implement sustainability initiatives. Commerce will continue to partner with the building owners to make our facilities more energy efficient. The Golden Rule Building has an energy star rating of 98% and in 2020 obtained Certified Sustainable Property certification from the Institute of Real Estate Management. Commerce's energy consumption is less than 1% of the enterprise.

Our overall water use decreased from 2020 to 2021 by 30% which puts us past our goal considerably. Since 2021 was the first full calendar year of remote working for the majority of our staff, most of Commerce's decrease is due to the pandemic. With the increase in remote work options, we expect to be able to keep our water consumption below the goal even as more staff begin to return to the workplace. Commerce's water consumption is less than 1% of the enterprise.

Both the Golden Rule Building in Saint Paul and the Southcross Building in Burnsville are leased spaces, so Commerce is limited in its ability to fully implement sustainability initiatives. Commerce will continue to partner with the building owners to decrease water consumption such as encouraging the use of more efficient appliances, the reuse of water whenever possible, and the application of outdoor irrigation best practices.

Though Commerce's waste diversion decreased in 2021, our multi-tenant building in Saint Paul was able to achieve a 75% diversion rate. Because our Weights and Measures division began weighing their trash in 2021, we were able to see improvements in their overall waste calculations. It is likely the lack of employees in the office had an impact on the numbers, but Commerce plans to increase diversion rates with re-education and increased communication to staff on proper recycling practices. Commerce’s solid waste pounds are less than 1% of the enterprise.

Both the Golden Rule Building in Saint Paul and the Southcross Building in Burnsville are leased spaces, so Commerce is limited in its ability to fully implement sustainability initiatives. An organics collection program implemented by the Golden Rule Building at the beginning of 2020 should help Commerce to ultimately meet 100% of the solid waste goal.

Achieving Sustainability Goals

Current Performance Data