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Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention
MEI was honored to be one of four partners recognized for their collaborative work creating Project Green Fleet. The 2008 Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention was awarded to Project Green Fleet and seven other projects at a ceremony held at the Capitol on April 30th. Congratulating the award winners, Governor Pawlenty said, “These organizations have found innovative and resourceful ways to reduce waste and pollution.” Project Green Fleet has reduced pollution by retrofitting diesel school buses to reduce their exhaust emissions. Since the project’s inception in 2005, Project Green Fleet has retrofitted more than 1,200 buses in dozens of school districts benefitting tens of thousands of students across Minnesota. This ambitious, voluntary and proactive collaboration is helping keep Minnesota’s air clean.

Partners sharing this award with MEI are the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, and Flint Hills Resources.

For more information about the Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention visit: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/oea/p2/govaward08.cfm.

MEI Press Releases

April 21, 2010– MEI Announces Finalists for the Environmental Initiative Awards
April 13, 2009 – National Clean Diesel Campaign to Benefit Project Green Fleet and Minnesota
May 28 – Project Green Fleet Recognized as a National Model for Reducing Air Pollution
May 23 – Minnesota Forest Legacy Partnership Recognized as Innovative Conservation Initiative
May 16 – MEI Announces Recipients of 2008 Environmental Initiative Awards

FALL 2008
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MEI events about greenhouse gases this fall, a project to reduce HAPS, strategies for solid waste, and the Green Demonstration House begins construction.

Spring 2008
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MEI celebrates the 15th anniversary of the Environmental Initiative Awards, Project Green Fleet wins a national award and expands beyond school buses, and an MEI report on energy efficiency is thought provoking.

Fall 2007
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Review MEI's many new and continuing initiatives in this 15-year anniversary newsletter.

Spring 2006
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MEI reflects upon lessons learned from the impaired water stakeholder process, R4R and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity explore ways to evolve in partnership, CAM evaluates other sectors of area sources of pollution and the 2006 Environmental Initiative Award finalists are announced.

Summer 2005
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MEI announces major school bus retrofit project, Environmental Policy takes a new approach to energy, Clean Air Minnesota partners complete the program's first landscaping demonstration project and R4R Director Michael Welch bids farewell to MEI.

Spring 2005
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MEI reconsiders its work on energy, Clean Air Minnesota helps the MPCA add recipients to the air quality alert system, R4R helps affordable housing nonprofits reuse urban land, the Environmental Policy program tackles health and air quality.

Winter 2004
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Mike Harley announces MEI's addition to Minnesota Environmental Fund, CAM pilots new technology in printing industry, Policy forum highlights national pollution-reduction initiatives, R4R helps create Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, Energy Alley workgroup releases technology research priorities.

Fall 2004
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Mike Harley announces MEI's new look, R4R helps a charter school create greenspace, Governor Pawlenty signs the Clean Air Minnesota Executive Order, Energy Alley launches EnergyDirectory.org, Environmental Policy leads the second stage of Impaired Waters Stakeholder Process.

Spring 2004
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Mike Harley lauds MEI champions, MEI's policy program tackles nonpoint source pollution, 2004 Environmental Initiative Award finalists are announced, R4R contemplates its future and Energy Alley launches an energy tecnology intitiative.

Winter 2004
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Mike Harley discusses building productive partnerships, R4R contributes to Seminary Fen preservation, Clean Air Minnesota Director Bill Droessler visits with state environmental leaders.

Fall 2003
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Mike Harley discusses MEI's intensifying focus on outcomes, Energy Alley sets priorities for renewables research, Mow Down Pollution retires polluting lawn-care gear.

Summer 2003
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Smog-reduction efforts kick into high gear; 2003 Environmental Initiative Awards winners unveiled; MEI doubles its staff.

Winter 2003
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Resources for Redevelopment launches new neighborhood greenspace project; Energy Alley's new vision and mission; Clean Air Minnesota director takes the reigns.

Fall 2002
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MEI launches voluntary ozone-reduction program; Resources for Redevelopment and partners celebrate partnerhsip with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity; MEI finances stabilize.

Summer 2002
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Environmental Initiative Awards event hits new heights; Resources for Redevelopment receives new EPA funding; Energy Alley program explores the energy marketplace.

May 2002
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Environmental Initiative award winners announced; Energy Alley focuses on development of clean-energy businesses; Environmental Management Summit keeps professionals connected.

April 2002
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New chair John Weidt lays out Energy Alley goals, Environmental Initiative Awards finalists announced, Environmental Policy targets ozone.

January/February 2002
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Parting words from Mike Egelston; R4R in-kind donations; awards nominations.

December 2001
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2001 wrap-up; Green Chip 2001 report; Energy Alley to continue policy work in 2002.

November 2001
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Ozone forum inspires new air-quality efforts; roundup of 2001 R4R projects.

October 2001
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Climate change work in the works for 2002; FastTrak scholarships; more work on waste management planned.

September 2001
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R4R presents at EPA conference; Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity project.