December 26, 2019
Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd .
St. Paul , MN 55155
Dear Governor Wal z and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan ,
I write in the hope that you will consid er my application to serve on the Governor's Advisory
Council on Climate Change. I believe that your decision to form a Climate Subcabinet and
Advisory Council represents an important step toward developing a comprehensive strategy for
reduc ing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change across all
sectors of our economy and society .
Minnesota has a chance to play a lead ers hip role in addressing one of the greatest cha ll enges
facing our planet while advancing One Minnesota values of cooperation , equity, and
sustainabi lity. Minnesota 's greenhouse gas footprint is not large enough to bend the clim ate
curve even if we achieved a net zero economy tomorrow . What we can do is to make Minnesota
a model for other states that seek to achieve climate progress without sacrificing the well-being
of residents , or losing the ability to farm , manufacture , and develop natural resources .
I would be honored to be able to participate in this effort as a member of the Advisory Council -on my own behalf, and on behalf of thousands of LIUNA members who will be affected by , and
play a major role in , Minnesota 's climate and energy transition . I believe that I would bring to th e
Council unique experience , skills , and perspectives developed over a 25-year career in
grassroots organizing , research , and advocacy , including more than a decade of work on equity ,
labor standards , and sustainability in clean energy and other aspects of the green economy.
It is critica lly important for Minnesota to take action to slow climate change and mitigate its
impacts, but it is equal ly important to make sure that our approaches are well-informed and
consistent with One Minnesota values . LIUNA members experience climate change and energy
transitions at the ground level , and we have tried to contribute hands-on perspectives to
conversations that too often take place at the 50 ,000-foot level. Our successfu l campaign to put
more Minnesotans to work on wind energy projects is just one example of how inclusion of
workers ' voices can change the policy conversation and deliver outcomes that are better for
working people and our environment.
LIUNA members are on the front lines when it come s to climate adaptation and energy
transitions . We build and ma intain the bridges and roads , dams and levies, water and sewer
systems , and buildings that will have to be repaired and re-engineered to accommodate
changing temperatures , more frequ ent storm events and rising water levels. We do the sa me for
Minnesota 's electricity and fuel infrastructure , which will undergo fundamental transformations

 as we retire coal , install renewable generation , and figure out what role nuclear power, natural
gas , and petroleum pipeline and refining infrastructure will play in a low-ca rbon economy.
We haven 't shied away from conversations about changes that will mean uncertainty or even
sacrifice for LIUNA members ; we lean in because we understand that the equitable clean
energy future we want won 't happen unless we help to build it. That's why we haven 't just led
the fight within Labor for good , local renewable energy jobs, but also for stronger clean energy
policy , including the One Minnesota Path to Clean Energy. We have set aside differences and
forged unlikely partnerships with industry and environmental groups to put Minnesota on a
sustainable path to clean power, and we have asked long-time allies in Labor and industry to
come along. We are ready to do the same in other sectors of our where change is needed to
meet climate goals or adapt to change , including agriculture, industry , and transportation.
I have had the privilege over the past decade of leading climate and green job in itiatives on
behalf of LIUNA. While working for our International Union in Washington D.C., I managed
production of the first major U.S. study on job quality in the green economy , developed a
successful initiative to increase employment of local residents on ratepayer-funded water
infrastructu re projects , and directed a national campaign to raise labor and performance
standards in the residential energy efficiency industry that resulted in the establishment of new
Federal apprenticeship standards .
Since returning home and taking over the union's loca l organizing program , I have led
numerous public interest organizing campaigns , including successful efforts to raise pipeline
safety standards in North Dakota , increase local hiring on clean energy construction projects in
Minnesota , and persuade major investors to adopt responsible contracting standards.
I represent LIUNA before public utility commissions in Minnesota and North Dakota where I
have secured precedent-setting decisions supporting the interests of local workers and
communities, and helped to negotiate an historic settlement agreement with Xce l Energy. I
currently serve on the Energy Utility Diversity Group , a stakeholder group for Minnesota Power's
Integrated Resource Planning process , and a Ceres-sponsored planning group that is working
to develop national standards for just and sustainable renewable energy investment.
I hope that my experience , qualifications , and role as a representative for the men and women
of LIUNA makes me a suitable candidate for the Advisory Committee. I look forward to working
with your administration on these issues in the future , and thank you for your consideration .
Respectfully ,

Kevin Pranis