PROVIDING FOR STATE DEPARTMENTS

TO TAKE ACTIONS TO REDUCE

AIR POLLUTION IN DAILY OPERATIONS

I, TIM PAWLENTY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and applicable statutes, do hereby issue this executive order:

WHEREAS, clean air is essential to the quality of life, health, and continued vitality of Minnesota's economy; and

WHEREAS, while Minnesota currently meets all applicable federal air quality standards, the state's population and economy continue to grow, requiring vigilance in maintaining its air quality; and

WHEREAS, Clean Air Minnesota, a program of the Minnesota Environmental Initiative, is a unique coalition of businesses, environmental organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, and citizens, seeking to help Minnesota reduce air pollution by fostering effective voluntary pollution reduction actions by its partner organizations and others; and

WHEREAS, Clean Air Minnesota leverages the expertise and resources of its partners to achieve significant, measurable reductions in air pollution; and

WHEREAS, Minnesota has successfully pursued a number of measures aimed at reducing air pollution from large industrial operations and, as a result, 73 percent of the state's air pollution, now comes from the daily activities of individuals, businesses, and organizations going about their normal activities; and

WHEREAS, information and education on ways to reduce individual and work-related air pollution is an effective means of reducing overall air pollution, especially during air pollution alert days when weather and other factors result in elevated levels of air pollution; and

WHEREAS, Clean Air Minnesota has requested state participation in promoting activities and behaviors that reduce air pollution by state departments and in providing state leadership in taking actions similar to those of other Clean Air Minnesota partners; and

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act, Minnesota Statues, Chapter 116D, directs all departments 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;

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby order state departments to support the efforts of Clean Air Minnesota by taking the following specific actions:

1. The Interagency Pollution Prevention Advisory Team established in executive order 99-04, and continued in executive order 03-04, shall assist state departments in implementing the requirements of this order, including providing information, guidance, sample policies and procedures, and technical assistance to ensure effective and efficient state participation under this order.

2. Each state department shall seek to reduce its contribution to air pollution by implementing two or more of the following actions whenever legally, technically and economically feasible, subject to the specific needs of the department and responsible management of agency finances:

a. Purchase or lease the most fuel-efficient and least polluting vehicles that meet the operational needs of the state department;

b. Refuel state-operated vehicles with the cleanest fuel available;

c. Encourage employees to consider alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle commuting;

d. Reduce state energy use through purchasing energy-efficient office equipment and appliances;

e. Employ energy-conserving strategies in state-owned or leased buildings;

f. Procure and use products with the lowest potential to contribute to air pollution, such as cleaning products with low amounts of volatile organic compounds;

g. Employ landscaping that reduces the need for gasoline-powered maintenance equipment; and

h. Purchase electricity generated from renewable sources.

3. Each state department shall designate a staff member and an alternate to receive the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Air Pollution Alerts and notify staff in a timely manner of the alert and of measures state employees could take to minimize their contributions to air pollution during the alert.

4. On or about May 1 and October 1 of each year, each state department shall provide its employees via email with a fact sheet about steps that employees can take at work and at home to reduce air pollution.

5. Within 30 days of the effective date of this order, each state department shall notify the Interagency Pollution Prevention Advisory Team of the steps it will take to meet the requirements of this order.

6. The Interagency Pollution Prevention Advisory Team will provide a reporting form and technical assistance to the state departments to report their progress on implementing this executive order as part of their annual pollution prevention reports.

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2004, 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 it is rescinded by proper authority or it expires in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 4.035, subd. 3

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have set my hand on this 6th day of August 2004.

TIM PAWLENTY

Governor