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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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