Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Jennifer Anthony, 651-297-8472 Saint Paul, Minn. -- More than 2,000 people are scheduled to attend the Minnesota Pollutions Control Agency's (MPCA) annual Minnesota Air, Water, and Waste Environmental Conference (MAWWEC) Feb. 26-28, at the Sheraton Hotel in Bloomington. Sponsored by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the three-day event brings together professionals from various backgrounds to discuss the challenges that affect Minnesota's environmental policy and protection. The MAWWEC brings national and local speakers to the Twin Cities to discuss the hottest trends in environmental management. This year, attendees will hear from Rocco Forte, Minneapolis' emergency manager and Windy Block, Rushford city administrator on, "The reality of planning for disaster: I-35 bridge collapse and southeast Minnesota's floods." The MAWWEC will also feature Joel Scheraga, national program director for the Global Change Research Program for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Scheraga will speak throughout the conference on energy and climate change. Other general session topics include resource conservation and sustainability, as well as legislative updates. The Governor's Award for Excellence in Waste and Pollution Prevention will be presented on Feb. 27, during a luncheon ceremony emceed by KARE 11's Belinda Jensen. The annual award honors superior environmental achievement by Minnesota's businesses, nonprofits, government and institutions. For more information on the 2008 Minnesota Air, Water, and Waste Environmental Conference, visit www.pca.state.mn.us or call 651-297-5754.