Key issues: Environment
Our approach
Environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness, if done right, do not need to be mutually exclusive. The only way for Minnesota to be seen as a leader and for these efforts to be deemed successful is if the state’s environmental goals can be achieved while supporting economic growth.
Minnesota businesses are leading the way to greater environmental protection and sustainability by, among other things, responding to customer and shareholder demands for sustainable products and supply chains.
In every industry sector – including key industries in globally competitive markets – companies are diligently working, innovating and investing in ways to make their products, processes, systems and infrastructure cleaner and less impactful to our environment while con- tributing to the state’s economic growth and viability.
Supporting businesses that are investing in research, resource extraction and production of minerals is critically important. Smaller, main street Minnesota businesses are doing their part through waste reduction, sustainable sourcing and energy conservation.
Business community priorities
- Increase efficiency and streamline the environmental review and permitting process.
- Engage communication and coordination among state agencies.
- Abide by federal statutes and rules to avoid state-by-state patchwork of requirements.
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2025 outcomes
Business priorities
- Environmental permitting reform
- Scaling back chemical regulations
Policies we opposed
- A new tax on the manufacture, import, or sale of anything with a cord, battery, or circuit board in Minnesota
- New authority to require air dispersion modeling
- New authority to cite and fine environmental consultants
- Establishing an “inherent right” of wild rice to exist.
(Not just protections for wild rice. A right to exist.)
Outcomes
- Permitting reforms!
- Makes fixes to determining ‘completeness’ of permit applications
- Clarifies reporting requirements
- Streamlines process to undergo environmental review for big projects
- Creates report on DNR and local government use of watershed extensions
- Clarifies that local permitting for feedlots can occur simultaneously with MPCA process
- Creates additional incentives for MPCA to process permits
- Chemical regulations:
- Products containing “intentionally added” PFAS are exempt from ban if internal components do not have direct contact with individuals’ skin or mouth
- Lead and cadmium exempted from ban for certain writing materials (e.g., pens, mechanical pencils, artist materials and solders)
- Lead and cadmium in key – California standard and delay on implementation
