Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Nancy Miller, 507-280-3590 Mankato, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) Mankato Regional Office recently moved to Mankato Place,12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 2165. The agency will host an open house on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the new location. The new location offers much-needed space in a facility that embraces conservation practices and alternative energy sources. Mankato Place has a combined solar panel power system and advanced daylighting system resulting in a 23 percent reduction in electrical power consumption. The skylight system eliminates 80 percent of the electricity normally required for electric lighting and the roof-top solar panels provide six percent of the annual electricity consumed by tenants. The MPCA's Southeast Region has two offices, Mankato and Rochester, serving 20 counties in southeast and south central Minnesota. Regional staff work with citizens to protect public health and the environment by providing information and assistance and enforcing state and federal environmental regulations. "The regional offices play a very important role because they are readily accessible to the public," says Bob Finley, MPCA Southeast Regional Manager. "We appreciate calls that we receive from citizens alerting us to issues that require our attention. We also work closely with local partners to protect our environment and restore contaminated resources." During the open house, regional staff will be present to share information about various MPCA programs and light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the Mankato Office by phone at 507-389-5977 or e-mail at julieanne.johnston@pca.state.mm.us. Find out more about the MPCA online at www.pca.state.mn.us.