2015 Legislative Recap
The regular 2015 legislative session has come to an end and it is almost certain that Governor Dayton will convene a special session. While we are pleased to have achieved some of our policy goals, we are disappointed that this year truly turned out to be a session of missed opportunities to protect our environment and safeguard public health.
Despite the disappointment, the legislature acted favorably on the Firefighter and Children’s Health Protection Act, a bill that requires a study on the effects of six flame retardants by January, 2016 and bans four of the most toxic flame retardants from being used in upholstered furniture and children’s products. The legislature also approved $1 million in funding for Forever Green, an initiative to accelerate development of cover crops and perennial crops that protect water quality and enhance wildlife habitat. We also helped pass favorable language for the Buffer Initiative, a policy that will protect our water resources by requiring a 50 foot buffer for public waters by November 2017 and a 16.5 foot buffer for public ditches by November, 2018. Read more.
A Voice for Minnesota Kids
Protecting children from harm is a responsibility shared by all adults. This year, a group of Minnesota parents and grandparents are doing all they can to protect children’s health from toxic chemicals. As part of the Voices for Kids Teams, members serve as the voice for Minnesota’s children at the state capitol and within their communities, advocating for state policies that protect kids. Whether meeting with lawmakers, testifying before legislative committees or writing letters to the editor, the Voices for Kids Teams are playing a critical role. Contact Kim LaBo at klabo@cleanwater.org to learn more about joining the team.
Great Lakes Days in the Nation’s Capital
Lake Superior is the crown jewel of Minnesota’s more than 10,000 lakes, and the lure of the lake holds a central place in Minnesotans’ hearts. For decades, Clean Water Action has led the fight in Minnesota to make Great Lakes Restoration a priority. In February, Clean Water Action’s Steve Schultz, led a team of six Minnesotans to lobby the state’s congressional delegation at Great Lakes Days in Washington, DC.
“We spoke to our representatives about our priorities to authorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) at $300 Million per year for five years, finalize a strong Clean Water Rule from the EPA, address nutrient runoff from agriculture that is causing algal blooms in the Great Lakes, fund the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF) that help local governments improve water infrastructure with low interest loans, and continue our fight to stop invasive species from further damaging our Great Lakes,” Schultz said. Read more.
Clean Energy Update
More than 400 Minnesotans from all corners of the state rallied earlier this year for a Clean Energy and Jobs Coalition Day at the Capitol in St. Paul. Clean Water Action’s organizing is focused on building support for clean renewable energy in key areas around the state. In addition to building the campaign in the State Capitol, organizers are meeting with state lawmakers closer to home, with a series of in-district constituent meetings across the Twin Cities. Read more.
Historic Victory to Protect Our Water
After ten years the US EPA has restored protection under the Clean Water Act to 60% of our stream miles and millions of acres of wetlands.
These are waterways that used to be protected from pollution, but those protections were called into question a decade ago, putting the sources of drinking water for 1 in 3 Americans at risk.
Thank you EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and President Obama for fixing this problem and protecting clean water.
Vinyl Flooring Becomes Less Toxic
One of the most popular floor coverings is about to become less toxic thanks to recent actions by Home Depot and Lowe’s. In response to the Mind the Store campaign, including Clean Water Action, the nation’s top two home improvement retailers have committed to phase out toxic phthalates from vinyl flooring by the end of 2015. Read more.
Hitting the Target on Consumer Protection
As part of the Mind the Store Campaign, Clean Water Action collected postcards from more than a thousand Minnesota women asking Target to live up to the promise they made in 2013 when they announced their new sustainability standard. Consumers are excited to see Target and other companies promising to protect them by providing more information about what chemicals are in the products they sell. Read more.