Executive Order establishing IPPAT

Executive Order 03-04 (2003), Gov. Tim Pawlenty
Executive Order 99-4 (1999), Gov. Jesse Ventura
Executive Order 91-17 (1991), Gov. Arne Carlson

I, JESSE VENTURA, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the applicable statutes, do hereby issue this Executive Order:

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 116D, directs all departments and agencies of the state to promote efforts that will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment, and to improve and coordinate state plans, functions, programs and resources to carry out this policy; and

WHEREAS, for the purposes of this Order, pollution prevention shall include energy and resource conservation and waste reduction; and

WHEREAS, pollution prevention reduces pollution at its source rather than treating or controlling pollution after it has been created; and

WHEREAS, pollution prevention often results in cost savings and increased efficiencies as well as enhanced environmental protection; and

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Toxic Pollution Prevention Act, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 115D, specifies that it is the policy of the state to encourage pollution prevention; and

WHEREAS, pollution prevention promotes sustainability, providing a better quality of life for all residents while maintaining nature's ability to function over time; and

WHEREAS, there is considerable potential for pollution prevention in state government; and

WHEREAS, Minnesota state agencies benefit from interagency communication and joint problem solving;

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby order state departments and agencies to continue to take these steps to prevent pollution:

1. All departments and agencies of the State of Minnesota shall promote policy and cultural reform to give priority to preventing pollution at its source of generation.

2. The Interagency Pollution Prevention Advisory Team, established in 1991, shall continue to:

   1. promote regular communication and cooperation between state agencies in preventing pollution;
   2. provide guidelines for state agencies in meeting requirements 4 thorough 6 below;
   3. review state agency progress reports;
   4. serve as a clearinghouse of information on progress made by state agencies in preventing pollution;
   5. encourage the implementation of pilot projects in which state government can serve as a model;
   6. recognize outstanding pollution prevention efforts of state agencies through such programs as the Minnesota Governments Reaching Environmental Achievements Together (MnGREAT!) awards;
   7. promote efficiency in governmental pollution prevention efforts by reducing overlap of activities and by sharing innovative ideas; and
   8. make recommendations for enhancing pollution prevention in state government.
   
   

3. The Interagency Pollution Prevention Advisory Team shall be chaired by a representative of the Office of Environmental Assistance. All state agencies shall cooperate with the team in the execution of this order. The team shall include, but not be limited to representatives of the departments of Administration; Agriculture; Corrections; Children, Families and Learning; Health; Human Services; Military Affairs; Natural Resources; Public Safety; Public Service and Transportation. The team shall also include representatives from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Office of Environmental Assistance, Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning, Office of Technology, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, University of Minnesota, Minnesota Lottery, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Metropolitan Airports Commission, Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission and Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission. The team shall meet regularly.

4. State agencies that generate significant quantities of hazardous waste or use significant quantities of toxic chemicals shall develop or revise policy statements to indicate that pollution prevention is a priority. These agencies shall also undertake activities to reduce their generation of solid and hazardous waste and use of toxic chemicals and resources.

5. State agencies that regulate activities in the state that generate significant quantities of hazardous waste or use significant quantities of resources and/or toxic chemicals, or whose policies have important effects upon such activities, shall develop or revise policy statements indicating that pollution prevention is a priority. These agencies shall also integrate pollution prevention into their regulatory and policy activities as a primary means of meeting standards.

6. State agencies, subject to 4 and 5 above, shall prepare annual summary reports on their progress in preventing pollution with the reports to be completed by August 15 of each year. At a minimum, these reports shall include a description of steps taken to integrate pollution prevention into agency activities, a summary of plans for future activities to prevent pollution, and an estimate of environmental and economic benefits, when applicable, which have resulted from preventing pollution.

7. State agencies shall, in cooperation with the Department of Administration, encourage pollution prevention through their purchasing policies and specifications.

8. Information on progress of state agencies in preventing pollution shall be included in the Pollution Prevention Evaluation Report to the Legislature required by section 115D.10 of the Minnesota Toxic Pollution Prevention Act.

9. State agencies are encouraged to apply for the annual Governor's Award for Excellence in Pollution Prevention, as authorized by section 115D.06 of the Minnesota Toxic Pollution Prevention Act. A special award for excellence in pollution prevention shall be established for state agencies.

10. The Office of Environmental Assistance shall provide technical assistance to state agencies in the implementation of this Order.

This Order shall be reviewed by the Governor, in consultation with the affected agency or agencies, every two years in order to assess its reasonableness and need.

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 4.035, subd. 2, this Order shall be effective fifteen (15) days after publication in the State Register and filing with the Secretary of State and shall remain in effect until rescinded by proper authority or it expires in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 4.035, subd. 3.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have set my hand this second day of April, 1999.

Last updated April 2003