MN Sustainability

Commerce decreased fossil fuel consumption 20% from 2021 to 2022 alone, achieving the goal. This progress was a continuation of the downward trend since reporting began in 2017. 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 use E85 fuel.

All the vehicles we leased in 2022 had the highest possible Green Fleet Choice ratings. We 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. We account for less than 1% of state government’s total fossil fuel use, but we anticipate the hybrid work environment helping to decrease overall fossil fuel consumption.

Commerce’s overall energy use for cooling, heating, and electricity decreased in 2022, surpassing the goal. We’re conducting a space study to determine the most efficient use of our office space now that hybrid work is more accessible. We anticipate this will further reduce energy use. In 2022 our St. Paul office converted the controls of the HVAC system from pneumatic to digital. We are eager to see the full impact of the increased system efficiency in 2023. We also 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 St. Paul and the Southcross Building in Burnsville are leased spaces, so we are limited in our ability to fully implement sustainability initiatives. We will continue to partner with the building owners to make our facilities more energy efficient. The Golden Rule Building is a Certified Sustainable Property and has an energy star rating of 98%. We account for less than 1% of state government’s total energy use.

With the gradual increase of staff in the office throughout 2022, Commerce’s overall water use increased, but we’re still far beyond the goal. With the continuation of remote work options, we expect to be able to keep our water consumption below the goal even as more staff return to the workplace. We account for less than 1% of state government’s water use.

Both the Golden Rule Building in St. Paul and the Southcross Building in Burnsville are leased spaces, so we’re limited in our ability to fully implement sustainability initiatives. We 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.

Commerce achieved a 77% waste diversion rate in 2022, surpassing the goal. This is, in part, due to more thorough and accurate waste calculations at both our St. Paul and Burnsville offices. We plan to continually increase diversion rates with re-education and increased communication to staff on proper recycling practices. We account for less than 1% of state government’s total waste generation.

Both the Golden Rule Building in St. Paul and the Southcross Building in Burnsville are leased spaces, so we’re limited in our ability to fully implement sustainability initiatives. Our multi-stream recycling and organics collection stations at the Golden Rule Building will help us continue pushing our waste diversion rate higher.

Achieving Sustainability Goals

Current Performance Data