Minnesota Agencies

The Committee provides input and recommendations prior to certain regulatory decisions made by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) was created in 1967 and since that time its legal structure included a Citizens' Board consisting of the commissioner of the MPCA and eight members of the public. The 2015 Minnesota legislature eliminated the MPCA Citizens' Board due in part, according to news reports at the time, to lobbying efforts from big agricultural groups. Governor Mark Dayton vetoed the bill, 2015 Laws of Minn. Chap. 79 (HF846*/SF1764), that eliminated the board, but signed a revised version of the bill after a special session, 2015 Laws of Minn., 1st Spec. Sess. Chap. 4 Art. 4 Sec. 114-117, which also included provisions for eliminating the board.

On August 4, 2015, Governor Dayton declared: "It is in the best interests of Minnesotans that there remain a forum for public input, discussion, and debate on important and controversial environmental issues and decisions affecting Minnesotans and their communities around the state. It is also beneficial, for transparent and deliberate decision-making on important issues affecting Minnesota' s environment and human health, that a citizen's advisory committee be created to provide advice and counsel to the commissioner of the MPCA."

The new Committee will not have the same powers as the Citizens' Board did to approve or disapprove of decisions made by the MPCA.

Governor Tim Walz provided for the committee's continuance by issuing Executive Order 19-29. However, in 2020, Governor Walz rescinded the committee in Executive Order 20-106, offering this explanation: "The Governor’s Committee to Advise the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency was established by Governor Dayton in Executive Order 15-15 and continued in Executive Order 19- 29. A wide array of other existing and newly created state councils, committees, and other entities have a similar scope and focus of work and allow for engagement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Since the work of this Committee is addressed by other entities, and in the interest of efficient governance, Executive Order 15-15 should be rescinded."

The Committee is chaired by the Commissioner of the MPCA and includes eight citizen members serving four-year terms. It meets on a regular basis to guide the direction and enforcement of the state's environmental protection laws.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency commissioner is the chair of the committee.