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PAST MEi Events

2010 Legislative Preview
Energy Conservation in Minnesota: Meeting the Challenge
Sustainability: Defining the Drivers and Identifying Value-Added Opportunities
Minnesota Road Show - Rochester
Clean Water Legacy: Progress and Challenges in Protecting, Restoring, and Preseving the Quality of Minnesota's Waters

Minnesota Road Show - St. Cloud
Non-Ferrous Mining in Minnesota: What are the issues and opportunities?
Resource Efficiency – Saving Green by Going Lean
Providing a Path to Energy Efficiency
2009 Legislative Preview Policy Forum
The Future of Biofuels in Minnesota
Carbon Management: A Competitive Advantage for Your Business
Introduction to Carbon Cap-and-Trade: What Could it Mean for Minnesota?
Economic Prosperity and a Clean Environment: How do we achieve both?
Making the Case for Efficient Energy Management
2008 Legislative Preview Policy Forum
Environmental Contaminants: Assessing the Risk and Shaping Public Health Policy
Water Sustainability: Managing Competing Needs for a Limited Resource
Carbon Sequestration: Looking to the Land for Climate Change Solutions
Farming Our Fuel: Growing a Sustainable Ethanol Industry



2010 Legislative Preview Policy forum

The 2010 Legislative Preview will provide a valuable first look at the most pressing environmental issues facing the state and the economic landscape in anticipation of the upcoming session. Invited speakers include representatives from the administration, a bipartisan selection of legislators, and a diverse group of environmental stakeholders.

Jim Schowalter, Minnesota Management and Budget



Energy Conservation in Minnesota: Meeting the Challenge

Forum presenters overviewed the history of CIP and energy conservation in Minnesota, described how Minnesota’s efforts compare to other states’, and explained what is included in the current savings goal. The program concluded with a panel of experts who discussed the challenges of meeting the 1.5% energy savings mandate, and their perspectives regarding the future of energy conservation in the state.


Bill Grant, Izaak Walton League of America
Jeff Haase, Office of Energy Security – Minnesota Department of Commerce
Dan York, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy


sustainability: defining the drivers and identifying value-added opportunities
This session featured a team of consultant experts who overviewed the sustainability landscape, highlighted available protocols, and identified tools and resources that can help businesses implement sustainability strategies. Case studies from a diverse range of business leaders explained the factors that led their companies to adopt leading-edge sustainability initiatives and the resulting benefits.

Eliza Clark, Paydirt
Eric Jackson, Conservis
Gary Connett, Great River Energy
Paul Lilienthal, Pictura Graphics



Minnestoa Road Show - ROchester

This workshop featured presentations from national experts and experienced local fleet managers on emission reduction strategies, alternative fuels, available technologies, and funding opportunities. Participants were given the opportunity to get solutions to specific problems, share experiences and discuss challenges across sectors.

Bill Droessler, Minnesota Environmental Initiative

Jeff Carlson, Aggregate Industries and Caterpillar/Ziegler
Hoon Ge, MEG Corp
Anthony Maietta, Environmental Protection Specialist, EPA Region 5
Robert Moffitt, American Lung Association
Mark Sulzbach, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Todd Wright, Koch Companies



CLEAN WATER LEGACY: PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES IN PROTECTING, RESTORING AND PRESERVING THE QUALITY OF MINNESOTA’S WATERS
Presenters overviewed the goals of the Clean Water Legacy Act as well as current surface water protection and restoration efforts in Minnesota. The program concluded with a panel of experts who discussed the challenges Minnesota still faces in order to improve water quality.

Scott Kudelka & Kimberly Musser, Minnesota State University - Mankato

Dean Maraldo, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region V
Steve Morse, Minnesota Environmental Partnership
Gaylen Reetz, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Minnesota River Trends Report - Minnesota State University, Mankato
Watershed Achievements Report - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency



Minnestoa Road Show - st. cloud
This workshop featured presentations from national experts and experienced local fleet managers on emission reduction strategies, alternative fuels, available technologies, and funding opportunities. Participants were given the opportunity to get solutions to specific problems, share experiences and discuss challenges across sectors.

Cory Anderson, Donaldson Company, Inc.
Jeff Carlson, Aggregate Industries and Caterpillar/Ziegler
Bill Droessler, Minnesota Environmental Initiative
Hoon Ge, MEG Corp
Mark Sulzbach, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, part 1
Mark Sulzbach, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, part 2
Robert Moffitt, American Lung Association
Brandy Toft, Leech Land Bank of Ojibwe
Tony Trowbridge, Twin City Truck Sales and Service, Ltd.
Todd Wright, Koch Companies

 



NON-FERROUS MINING IN MINNESOTA: WHAT ARE THE ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES?
This Policy Forum brought together national experts and important stakeholders to explore key questions surrounding the potential economic opportunities and environmental impacts of non-ferrous mining. Presenters overviewed recent economic impact analyses, projected environmental concerns, and protections that are currently in place through existing state regulations. The program concluded with a facilitated stakeholder dialogue designed to help policy makers ensure that Minnesota is able to capitalize on the benefits offered by this new industry while adequately protecting our citizens and valuable natural resources.

David Chambers, Center for Science in Public Participation
Jennifer Engstrom, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Philip Fauble, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Brad Moore, Barr Engineering
Frank Ongaro, MiningMinnesota
Thomas Michael Power, University of Montana Department of Economics
Jim Skurla, Univeristy of Minnesota Duluth / Bureau of Business and Economic Research
Scott Strand, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
Marty Vadis, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Typical EIS Process Outline
DNR Permit to Mine Timeline
MPCA Permitting Timeline




resourcE EFFICIENCY – SAVING GREEN BY GOING LEAN

This event gave a general overview of business resource efficiency and what it means to be a lean and green organization. Speakers discussed lean and green terminology, incorporating the latest resource efficiencies into operations, quantifying environmental and financial results, and pitching the concept to the company. Diverse case studies were presented by local leaders from businesses of all sizes providing examples of resource efficiency success stories.

Georjean Adams, President, EHS Strategies, Inc.
Mark Friske, Director, Environmental, Health and Safety, Aveda
Misato Hirano, Senior Environmental Engineer, 3M
Cindy McComas, Director, Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP)
Dan Reinke, Partner, ERM
Chuck LeRoux, Director, Safety, Security & Environmental Management, Andersen Corporation
Mike Egelston, CEO, Cities Management, Inc.



Providing a Path to Energy Efficiency

The current economic recession and the large proportion of resources that businesses typically spend on energy make energy efficiency an important cost saving strategy for all businesses to pursue. While many businesses may be reluctant to spend significant resources on energy efficiency retrofits today, most businesses are planning to become more energy efficient when the economy rebounds and every business could benefit from no cost/low cost steps they can take to save money and energy now. This event focused on describing pathways and identifying resources any business or organization can use to achieve energy efficiency.

Mark Friske, Director, Environmental Health and Safety, Aveda
Doug Fullen, Director of Corporate Environmental Affairs, Medtronic
Bill Glahn, Deputy Commissioner and Director, Office of Energy Security, Minnesota Department of Commerce
Jeff Haase, Demand Efficiency Supervisor, Minnesota Department of Commerce
JoAnna Hicks, Director of Development, Ryan Companies US
Chuck LeRoux, Director, Safety, Security and Environmental Management, Andersen Corporation
Tom McDougall, President, The Weidt Group
Bob Riesselman, President of Midwest Region, Sebesta Blomberg (powerpoint)
Bob Riesselman, President of Midwest Region, Sebesta Blomberg (movie)
Steve Zeller, Director, Global Real Estate, Construction & Asset Management, Donaldson Company



2009 Legislative Preview Policy forum
A bipartisan selection of legislators, including a panel of the Legislature's leaders such as the Speaker of the House, provided a valuable first look at 2009’s top environmental issues and the economic landscape for the upcoming session. A panel of finance committee leaders and policy stakeholders discussed the challenge of implementing the newly passed Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.


The future of biofuels in minnesota
Leading experts discussed the expanding biofuel industry and how it will affect Minnesota.

Christina Connelly, MN Department of Agriculture (part 1)
Christina Connelly, MN Department of Agriculture (part 2)
Mike Reese, West Central Research and Outreach Center
Mark Lindquist, MN Department of Natural Resources
Jess Richards, MN Pollution Control Agency
Rita Hardy, Flint Hills Resources
David Thornton, MN Pollution Control Agency

Bill Grant, Izzak Walton League of America
Bill Lee, Chippewa Valley Ethanol
Lowell Rasmussen, University of Minnesota Morris


carbon management: a competitive advantage for your business
This program provided insight into the realm of carbon management for Minnesota's business community, and demonstrated how business leaders can utilize a greenhouse gas inventory to get out ahead of the game and reap fiscal and environmental benefits.

A team of local consultants representing Delta Consultants, Wenck Associates, and CP Holdings, LLC defined what carbon management means and assessed the advantages and various applications for existing protocols for managing carbon emissions. This experienced group of consultants also discussed some of the challenges and opportunities presented by tackling the task of carbon footprinting for your business. Additionally, the program featured case studies from a diverse group of local organizations who have achieved success through developing and implementing carbon management strategies.


What Is Carbon Management? Bill Brown, Wenck Associates, Tod Christenson, Delta Consultants, Eric Jackson, CP Holdings
Carl Michaud, Hennepin County
Heather Tansey, 3M
Jim Turnure, Xcel Energy
Todd Wilkening, Ridgeview Medical Center


introduction to carbon cap-and-trade: what could it mean for minnesota?
This forum provided an introduction and overview of a carbon cap-and-trade system and the impacts it could have in Minnesota. Tom Vilsack, the former governor of Iowa and a national leader on renewable energy and initiatives addressing climate change, gave the keynote address. Other presenters included John Larsen from the World Resources Institute, and members of the Minnesota Representatives to the Midwestern Governors Association Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord Advisory Group.

John Larsen, World Resources Institute, Part 1
John Larsen, World Resources Institute, Part 2
Interview with Governor Tom Vilsack on Minnesota Public Radio



economic prosperity and a clean environment: how do we achieve both?
In the past, growing the economy and protecting the environment often have been regarded as separate or even conflicting goals. However, ensuring success for future generations of Minnesotans means that we must promote economic growth while also protecting critical natural resources. This forum on June 13, 2008, featured leaders from diverse perspectives including state and local government, the environmental and business communities, discussing how Minnesota might maintain a vital economy and protect clean water, air, and open spaces.

Michael Grochala, City of Lino Lakes
Tom Luce, Ameregis and UMN Institute on Race and Poverty
Tom Stinson, Minnesota State Economist and UMN Dept. of Applied Economics
Deb Swackhamer, UMN Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Interim Director Institute on the Environment
John Wells, Minnesota Dept. of Administration, Environmental Quality Board



Business and environment series –
making the case for efficient energy management
This session, held in May 2008, focused on energy efficiency strategies for mid to large-sized businesses and the benefits businesses can realize by improving energy efficiency. Speakers reviewed current legislative requirements and potential regulatory changes, provided an energy service company’s perspective on reducing energy consumption, and gave first-hand accounts of rising to the challenge and reaping the rewards of designing efficient energy management systems.

Gary Connett, Great River Energy
Steve Flagg, Quality Bicycle Products
Doug Fullen and John Rohlf, Medtronic
Steve Schultz, 3M
Ted Stearns, Thrivent Financial
David Thornton, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency


2008 Legislative Preview Policy forum
The Legislative Preview Policy Forum provides a valuable first look at the top environmental priorities for the upcoming legislative session, and gives audience members the opportunity to raise concerns or pose questions to legislative decision-makers. The 2008 Legislative Preview Forum featured three panels of bipartisan legislators: legislative leadership, transportation and transit, and energy and climate change. Key committee members spoke about anticipated action on issues and major environmental issues under consideration in these areas.


ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS: ASSESSING THE RISK AND SHAPING PUBLIC POLICY

Minnesota recently passed new legislation to address environmental contamination by arsenic, mercury, and perfluorochemicals and the potential for risks to human health. Many of us are unsure what this legislation will mean to Minnesotans and how it will affect our businesses, our policies, and our health. The forum focused on gaining a deeper understanding of Minnesota’s new biomonitoring and tracking legislation and the risk assessment of environmental contaminants. The forum also explored the complexities of risk-based decision-making and the impact this has on public health policy.

John Adgate, Ph. D., University of Minnesota School of Public Health

Richard Becker, Ph.D., American Chemistry Council
Tannie Eshenaur, M.P.H., Minnesota Department of Health
Jean Johnson, Ph.D., Minnesota Department of Health
John Linc Stine, Minnesota Department of Health
Michael Sandusky, M.S., Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
David Wallinga, M.D., Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy



WATER SUSTAINABILITY: MANAGING COMPETING NEEDS FOR A LIMITED RESOURCE
On June 20, 2007, this policy forum investigated the growing tension between the increasing demand for water and the constraints of limited ground and surface water resources. The forum focused on current knowledge about Minnesota’s ground and surface water resources and identified areas where information is lacking. Factors such as population growth, agriculture, and large manufacturing, were explored as well as how those factors create a collision course between multiple needs for water and an increasingly limited supply of Minnesota’s trademark natural resource.

Jim Anderson, University of Minnesota

Chris Elvrum, Metropolitan Council
Mark Mason, Natural Resources Group
Laurel Reeves, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Dale Setterholm, Minnesota Geological Survey



Carbon Sequestration: Looking to the Land for climate Change Solutions
On April 20, 2007 the Minnesota Environmental Initiative convened a policy forum exploring the emerging focus on carbon sequestration and climate change. This groundbreaking forum featured experts and practitioners in agriculture, forestry, conservation and environmental policy discussing the latest developments in carbon sequestration, including the benefits, opportunities, risks and trade-offs, and the outlook for sequestration credits in carbon markets.



farming our fuel: growing a sustainable ethanol industry
November 15, 2006, MEI brought together a diverse group of regional leaders from the ethanol industry, government, environmental organizations, agricultural groups, and academia to explore key questions and issues about the ethanol industry in Minnesota.