MPCA Commissioner Kessler answers questions on Climate Action Framework
 Last Friday, Commissioner Katrina Kessler, chair of Minnesota’s Climate Change Subcabinet, and other state leaders officially launched Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework. The virtual media briefing aimed to answer questions from statewide media about the framework.
The framework is a comprehensive plan that identifies large-scale, recommended actions Minnesota should take to address climate change. It is organized under six goals: clean transportation, climate-smart natural and working lands, resilient communities, clean energy and efficient buildings, healthy lives and communities, and a clean economy. It reflects input from thousands of Minnesotans and the expertise of leaders from local governments, tribal partners, nonprofits, and businesses in every sector of our economy.
Learn more about Minnesota's Climate Action Framework.
New: Decision Review and Resolution Process
Disagreements at work are not uncommon and are even a sign of a healthy and productive work environment. When disagreements arise related to decisions made within our agency, they are usually resolvable through routine approaches, like further discussions within a program or workgroup. In some rare occasions, however, routine approaches are not enough.
A team of staff and leadership from several divisions came together in a continuous improvement process, facilitated by the Organizational Improvement Unit, to create the Decision Review and Resolution Process. The process will document and facilitate the management of disagreements that are not resolved through other methods. The process is designed to address programmatic disputes, conflict across programs and divisions, disputes within a project, policy conflicts, and disputes within units.The process can be initiated by staff at any level.
Learn more about this process on the Lorax.
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New username standard for new employees, contractors, etc.
MNIT recently established a new username standard for new employees, contractors, interns/externs, and non-State workers. This new username standard incorporates the employee number or non-State Login ID. For example, a new employee’s username will now be EU12345678, and a new contractor’s username will be CEU12345B6.
Currently, this change only applies to new employees, contractors, and employees changing their name.There will be an effort in the future to update the usernames of existing employees, contractors, etc. Find out more on the Lorax.
Combined Charities campaign coming soon
October 1 marks the beginning of the 2022 Combined Charities Campaign, with all agencies encouraging state employees to make payroll contributions. Your support is needed to help us reach our $30,000 goal for MPCA's 2022 campaign. More information to come on the variety of fundraising events to be held during the month of October.
Included in the planned activities are a bake sale, an online auction, and a book/media sale. Start thinking about items to donate! Find out more about both these events at the 2022 Combined Charities Campaign page on the Lorax.
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Mary West retires
Mary has been an Environmental Specialist with MPCA’s Industrial Stormwater Program since 2012, responsible for compliance and enforcement of the ISW permit, writing permit revisions, ISW training for permittees, and technical assistance for the new-to-ISW online e-Services system.
On retiring, Mary adds, "Our unit has consistently let me be me. I have never felt like the square peg in the round hole with this group — I will miss that.
Read more about Mary's career on the Lorax.
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Job opening
Climate and energy coordinator: The climate and energy coordinator will play a vital role in coordinating the state’s efforts to understand, characterize, mitigate, and manage the human health and environmental risks from greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. The position will advise the agency on climate change mitigation policy and coordinate policy and program development, including integrating environmental justice and equity into this work. Job ID: 59125. Location: St. Paul. Closing date: October 14.
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Feedlots program offers best practices reminders for fall
With fall rapidly approaching, the MPCA's Feedlot staff and the University of Minnesota are recommending best management practices related to manure application to get the most value from manure as a fertilizer and to avoid manure runoff that could pollute waters,
For more information about ways to maximize the nutrients in soil and protect water quality, visit the Land application of manure webpage.
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8-Hour HAZWOPER Refresher training
Tuesday, September 20
This course is required for staff who respond to hazardous substances released in the environment. The course satisfies the OSHA requirements for uncontrolled hazardous waste operations, response, and management. The course will cover the levels of PPE, toxicology, chemical safety, managing an incident and scenario-based discussions. Sign up through ELM. This session is held in-person in the St. Paul office, Room 116. A minimum of eight attendees is required to hold the class on the scheduled date.
Overview of MPCA’s recently updated environmental justice mapping tool
Wednesday, September 21, 11 a.m.-noon
Learn more about MPCA’s environmental justice mapping tool, including how recent updates increased areas of concern for environmental justice in Minnesota. The MPCA uses this tool to focus our work in areas where low-income Minnesotans, people of color and Tribal members may experience more impacts, and to increase public engagement. Ned Brooks, MPCA’s Environmental Justice Coordinator, and Quinn Carr, with the Data Analysis Unit, will provide an overview of the tool, how it applies to our work, and changes based on the most recent U.S. Census and American Community Survey.
Join Teams meeting.
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Registration now open for Racism in Real Estate!
The Twin Cities Metro area has the lowest rate of Black home ownership in the U.S. with just 19% of Black Minneapolis residents owning their home in 2019. Racist real estate practices including redlining, racial covenants, and single-family zoning have been used for decades to segregate neighborhoods and bar residents from homeownership. How were these policies enacted and how do they continue to affect non-white residents today?
Instructors Denise Pike, Public Historian, and Jackie Berry, Realtor, will dive deep into the history and ongoing presence of racial housing discrimination in Minnesota. Come ready to learn some initial steps you can take to combat racist housing policies in your neighborhood! You can register for one of our Racism in Real Estate classes below by clicking on the class title. Both sessions are pay-what-you-can. Invite your friends, family, and colleagues to register!
Racism in Real Estate (Virtual) Thursday September 22, 1-2:30 p.m.
Racism in Real Estate (In-Person) Wednesday October 26, 5:30-7 p.m.
Water Issues Seminar: Climate change — Impacts to surface waters, positive policy and program developments, and helpful actions you can take
Thursday, September 22, 9-10 a.m.
This seminar will consist of “lightning round” talks covering streamflow and nutrient loading, water temperature, impacts to aquatic life, our agency’s new Climate Unit, the Inflation Reduction Act, Minnesota’s Climate Framework, plus residential solar, cycling as transportation, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Lee Ganske of the Surface Water Monitoring Section and MPCA Climate Adaptation Team will moderate a panel of speakers, including Carl Stenoien (Data Services and residential solar electric producer), Laura Millberg (Climate Unit), Matt Lindon (Effluent Limits and PHEV owner), Melissa Wenzel (Product Sustainability Partnerships and cyclist), and Jimbo Jahnz (Long-Term River Monitoring and Continuous Data).
Join Webex meeting.
Minnesota Millennials: A new statewide Employee Resource Group
Thursday, September 22, noon-1 p.m.
Minnesota Millennials is a new statewide Employee Resource Group (ERG) for folks seeking connection across state agencies with those interested in retention and promotion in the workplace, and advocacy of sustainability, DEI, and other issues important to the Millennial generation. The group is open to all ages, and is looking to expand membership to more agencies. Please consider joining if you would like to see Minnesota continue being an attractive employment option for generations to come.
Contact Emily Beltt if you are interested in attending the meeting or have questions about the ERG. See more information on the Lorax.
Air Issues Seminar: MNRISKS 2017
Wednesday, September 28, 2-3 p.m.
Please join us for the September Air Issues Seminar. MNRISKS2017 is published! Eric Wilcox Freeburg, a research scientist in the Risk Evaluation and Air Modeling Unit, will give an overview of MNRISKS, its data and tools.
Join Teams meeting.
Equity Experience events
Equity Experience events offer a variety of ways to “experience” equity, so we can hold ourselves accountable to learning, growing, and engaging with this important work and our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In order to receive an IDEA credit for attending an Equity Experience event, you will be required to report what you learned, thought, experienced, etc. to your team, so that there will be accountability and shared learning. Check out the event list on The Lorax.
Recommendations presented to East Grand Forks council members on proposed asphalt plant
Recommendations from a subcommittee reviewing recent findings from a state agency that says a local company exceeded air emission limits were presented to East Grand Forks City Council members on Tuesday, September 13. The subcommittee reviewed the findings from the MPCA's enforcement investigation of RJ Zavoral & Sons, which were released in July. — Yahoo News
Permit approved for Trosky wastewater ponds
The city of Trosky took another step forward in its years-long effort to address wastewater issues that stem from the fact that the city does not have a centralized sewer system. The MPCA identified Trosky as an unsewered community in 2008 and subsequently required the city to take action. The city and Banner have examined a variety of options to address the wastewater issues over the years and determined that the pond system was the most viable, cost efficient, long-term solution.— Pipestone County Star
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Last week in social media at the MPCA
According to Minnesota’s 2022 Impaired Waters List, over 1,600 bodies of water across the state are impaired by mercury pollution. One of the best ways to reduce this number is through proper disposal of household items that contain mercury! The fish will thank you for it 🐟 https://bit.ly/3pJ7ZDQ Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
“When Snickers sees the Secchi disk, she knows it is not time to play frisbee,” says volunteer water monitor Norm Barnhart. “Snickers loves the fresh air and sun as we row around the lake for the measurement and enjoys watching the disk plunge into the depths of the water.” Learn more about how you (and your pooch! 🐶) can become volunteers today: https://bit.ly/3oSg6O7 Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
Did you know that air pollution is typically higher the closer you are to roadways? Learn more about traffic-related air pollution and the risk to those living near busy roads 🚗💨 Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
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