In light of new research, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is currently considering setting stricter health-based ambient air quality standards for ground-level ozone and fine particulates. What will these new standards mean for Minnesota businesses and communities? Minnesota’s air quality has improved over the last decade for most pollutants, but there is uncertainty about where new federal standards will be set and whether Minnesota will remain in compliance. In the midst of this uncertainty, Minnesota has a unique opportunity to develop our own solutions to our air quality challenges.

Speakers will address the following questions:

• What do we know about air quality in Minnesota and its impacts on public health?
• How might proposed changes to federal air quality standards impact Minnesota industries?
• What sectors are most likely to be impacted?
• What can Minnesota businesses and communities do to proactively reduce emissions in order to avoid federal non-attainment designations?
• This series of events will kick off Minnesota’s Clean Air Dialogue, a facilitated stakeholder process in which leaders from the business, government and nonprofit sectors will identify potential emission reduction strategies that are efficient, effective and beneficial for Minnesotans and Minnesota industries.

Event attendees will have an opportunity to raise questions and concerns—and propose solutions—that will be collected as input for the dialogue.

Confirmed speakers to date:

Jean Johnson, PhD, Minnesota Department of Public Health
John Paul, Dayton & Montgomery County (Ohio) Regional Air Pollution Control Agency
Ann Seha, Xcel Energy
Chris Nelson, 3M
Paul Pagel, Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP)

More information and registration