October Newsletter 2025
In this edition of MCEA’s Environmental Monitor:
- Register for our webinar about the costs of climate change and how to make big polluters pay their share
- You’ve got attorneys on the inside
- What’s happening with our four current data center lawsuits
- Take action for clean water and MN farmers
- Meet our new Water Program Associate
- A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended Defending True North
- MPCA’s response to our recent petition
- What we’re listening to: MCEA CEO Kathryn Hoffman on Data Centers
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Trivia: What company doesn’t want you to know how much water its data centers use?
It’s no secret that Minnesota is already feeling the impacts of climate change. In fact, the data shows our state is experiencing them much faster than most others. It’s also no secret that some of the biggest contributors to these changes are fossil fuel companies.
That’s why our upcoming webinar, “From Fossil Fuels to Flash Floods: Who should pay for MN’s climate crisis?” will focus on how we can make sure those most responsible for creating this crisis pay their fair share.
Join us Wednesday, November 5th at noon for a conversation with MCEA Chief Legal Officer Leigh Currie, State Rep. Athena Hollins (DFL-St. Paul) and 100% Campaign’s Legislative and Political Director Aurora Vautrin about how we can work together to shift more of the cost of climate change where it belongs.
You’ve got a lawyer on the inside.
MCEA attorneys push back against NDAs that keep communities in the dark. Our legislative experts help elected officials build the tightest defense against threats to our resources. These are just two examples of what we mean when we say MCEA does systems-level work – we are dedicated to replicable wins that broadly influence our state’s environmental health. With your support, our attorneys set precedent for a bolder, cleaner and more equitable future for all Minnesotans.
Give to the Max is Minnesota’s giving day, and it’s also when we attract the most new donors, so we’d love for you to help us spread the word. Early giving begins tomorrow and there are two ways you can support this work: (1) Donate early and then (2) let friends, neighbors, acquaintances and the treetops know that they’ve got attorneys on the inside, too. MCEA is grateful for your support.
Our latest blog post is not to be missed. MCEA Chief Legal Officer Leigh Currie breaks down the four cases that MCEA is currently litigating across Minnesota, what happens next, and why they matter.
Did you know that farming more oats is one way to help protect Minnesota’s drinking water from nitrate pollution? Oat crops require less fertilization, lead to less nitrate runoff, and are known to enhance soil quality.
Although a growing number of farmers are planting the small grain, they’re also running into a big problem. Despite a high demand for oats, finding buyers is a growing issue. We’re asking General Mills, a company located in Minnesota that sources the majority of its oats from elsewhere, to start sourcing from farmers in its own state.
It’s not everyday we have the chance to support clean water, farmers, and a Minnesota business. If you haven’t already, please take action with us today and consider passing the message along to a friend.
Growing up in Iowa, Andrew Hillman assumed all lakes and rivers were polluted. It wasn’t until he was kayaking in Wisconsin and could see clear down to the bottom, that he realized what he had been missing. With a Master's degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Andrew had a lot of options for professionally protecting water resources, but he found the problem wasn’t a lack of scientific paths forward; it’s the missing political will to take them. Learn more about how this realization led him to MCEA as our new Water Resources Specialist.
Pictured left and right: MCEA supporters and staff at Defending True North
Defending True North was an amazing reminder of the collective power we share to create change. Thank you to the hundreds of people gathered on the banks of the Mississippi to commit to action for a better environmental future. Together, we have the community, power, and determination to meet the demands of these challenging times. Over 100 people made a gift at the event, which raised more than $185,000 for MCEA’s work.
Thank you and thanks to our event sponsors: Schwebel, Goetz, and Sieben; Zelle LLC; and Bond and Devick Wealth Partners. As well as, Madigan, Dahl & Harlan, P.A., Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, First Impression Group, McCarten Law Firm, MetroPlains Management LLC, and Tattersall Distilling.
We know Minnesota’s legislature told the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in 1972 that it is its job to prevent water pollution -- and when it comes to agricultural drainage, they still haven't done so. Agricultural drainage is a big contributor of pollution in our lakes, rivers, and streams. That's why we want to thank the hundreds of supporters who spoke up for Minnesota’s water and in support of our recent petition to the MPCA.
This week, MPCA denied our request to begin a public process to change how new and improved agricultural drainage systems are permitted. Although it’s disappointing, it’s not the end of the road. MCEA has advocated for clean water since 1974 and we’re committed to the time and effort it takes to shift deeply entrenched issues.
There are some positive notes. The agency did not dispute the enormity of the water-pollution problem posed by these systems or that it has the authority to control sources of water pollution. Instead, the response cited a lack of a legislative mandate and current sources of funding. As we continue this work, we invite you to keep reaching out to your elected officials so they know Minnesotans care deeply about our lakes and rivers.
Want a quick download on the state of data centers in Minnesota? Then check out the recording of MCEA CEO Kathryn Hoffman’s in-depth interview on MPR News on October 20th. In the interview, she’s joined by Gabriel Chan, an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota and vice chair of the MCEA board of directors. The two cover everything from electricity trends to tiered water appropriation.
One American company that operates data centers consumed 105 billion gallons of water in 2021, roughly as much as one million American households. Recent news reports found that the company strategized ways to keep its data centers’ water consumption a secret from the public.
Which company is it?
A) Meta
B) Amazon
C) Google
D) Tesla