Minnesota Center For Environmental Advocacy

Programs: Clean energy: focuses on long-term development of modern and sustainable energy sources for minnesota and the replacement of out-dated environmentally harmful energy sources like coal-fired power plants. Mcea advocates for agencies to consider the full cost of air emissions when evaluating potential energy sources, especially coal. To support this goal, mcea serves as legal counsel for several minnesota energy partners including wind on the wires, fresh energy, center for energy and environment and sierra club.

water quality: focuses on protecting minnesota's greatest natural resource and economic asset, its water. For example, mcea advocates for the adoption and effective implementation of protective nitrogen and phosphorous standards for lakes and streams, and to safeguard drinking water supplies from nitrate polluction. Mcea works to reduce pollution from agricultural sources through oversight, planning, collaboration and incentive programs at federal, state and local levels. Mcea's work in the lake superior basin focuses on strengthening the great lakes compact to protect against inter-basin withdrawals and obtaining funding for cleanup of the st. Louis river. Mcea also acts as a watchdog to assure that clean water funds from the legacy amendment are targeted effectively.

mining: addresses the potential environmental impacts of proposed nonferrous sulfide mining projects in northeastern minnesota, including water and air pollution, wetland loss and tailings basin stability. Mcea's focus is to ensure that the proposed mines prove they can meet applicable environmental standards, that agencies use the best available science to evaluate these proposals, and the long-term interest of taxpayers and the environment are protected. Wildlife and natural resources: works to conserve, protect, and advocate for policies and practices that will sustain lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands and forests, as well as the communities that depend upon them. Mcea has been a key advocate for strengthening protections of minnesota's wetlands, improving its agricultural drainage for habitat enhancement, ensuring the integrity of its public waters inventory, and funding for actions and research that work to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.

land use and transportation: advocates for public policy platforms and funding mechanisms that support more compact and mixed-use forms of development, broaden the choices for how we live and get around, provide residents access to the region's environmental, social and economic opportunities, protect forest, farms, and natural areas, and improve the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink. Mcea works to make certain that racially diverse and transit-dependent neighborhoods will benefit from the region's substantial investment in transitway corridors. Mcea also works to integrate authorities and align investments at the local, regional and state levels to mitigate minnesota's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the coming changes in minnesota's climate.