Miflllnesota Center for Errnironmental Advocacy December 10, 2019 Governo r Tim Walz 130 State Capitol 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd . St Paul , MN 55 155 Dear Governor Walz, I am writing to app ly for the Governor ' s Adviso ry Council on Climate Change. I am the Chief Executive Officer of the Min nesota Center fo r Environmental Advocacy (MCEA). MCEA is one of the longest-standing environmental organizati ons in the State of Minnesota. Since 1974, MCEA has worked to protect Minnesota ' s environment, nat ura l reso urces, and the health of its peop le using law and science. MCEA has helped with every major advancement in environmental law since its found ing, from the creation of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, the Minnesota Environmen tal Policy Act, the Next Generat ion Energy Act, to the Legacy Fund and others. Climate change and energy are a primary focus of MCEA 's work. For decades , our attorneys and policy experts have been involved in climate policy at the Public Utilities Commission in matters ranging fro m utility resource planning and rate design to the electrifi cation of transportation and heating. MCEA's role in these dockets is to prov ide the PUC with insight into both the sc ience and the law underpinning effective climate po licy . MCEA is a usefu l advisor and an effective advocate at the PUC. MCEA is at its best and most powerful when we are in a position to help broker comprom ise between parties in a manner consistent with Governor Wa lz's One Minnesota ph il osophy. In the past year, one of our proudest acco mplishments is negotiatin g a settlement between six clean energy organi zations, Xce l Energy, and the Laborers' International Union of North America (LlUNA) . The final agreement closed Xce l's last two coal pl ants before 2030, increased investment in energy efficiency, and set in motion plans to bring significa nt amo unts of so lar energy on line, whil e ass uring fair wages for clean energy workers . This settl ement wa. the result of months of work and tense di scussions between parties who are not hi storic allies and who needed to overcome signifi cant distrus t to become co-s ignatories. Where others saw barriers and distrust, MCEA saw opportunity and pursued a deal that was a win for all parties. MCEA's niche within the community of clean ene rgy organizations is both to provide lega l advice and technical expertise while simultaneous ly retaining the abi li ty to chall enge deci sions. This del icate balance, one that MCEA has held for decades, has made MCEA one of the most influential gro ups in the state. Fo r examp le, utiliti es commonly approach MCEA befo re fi ling U sing the law and science t o defend Minnesota's environ ment. 1919 University Avenue West, Sui te 515, Sai n t Pau l, Minn esot a 5510 4 651.223 .596 9 I in fo@ n,nce nter.o rq I mncenter.orq Minnesota Center ·for Envorronmental Advocacy Governor Tim Walz December 10, 20 19 Page 2 their proposals with the PUC because they va lue our input, and also know that our lega l staff can bring challenges if the proposa ls are not pro tective of Minnesota's environment and public health . MCEA is uniquely positioned to provide helpful fee dback, but utilities and others recogni ze that our support is a necessary component of their success . If appointed to thi s task fo rce, I will bring MCEA's pragmatism, experti se, and rational approach to prob lem-solvi ng. After workin g in environmental law for ten years, I have a reputati on fo r be ing abl e to commun icate and work with a wide range of people on diffic ult and sometimes emotional issues. I' m good at fin ding common ground and helping to move the conversation fo rward . We at MCEA are very grateful that Governor Walz has identifi ed the climate crisis as a pri ority . The climate crisis is the definin g issue of our times, and Governor Walz's legacy. There is hard work to be do ne, and MCEA, as the preeminent enviro nmental law and poli cy organi zat ion in the state, has a crucial ro le to play. Thank yo u fo r yo ur co nsideration. /(~11) Kath ry n M. Hoffman Chief Executive Officer thli~ f/ - - KMH/krn Usi ng th e law and science t o defe nd Minnesot a's envi ronment. 1919 Univers ity Avenue West, Su ite 515, Sai nt Paul, M inn es o ta 55'!0 4 651 .223 .5969 I info@ rnn ce nter.o rq I rn ncenter.orq