2024 DFLEC Resolutions

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1 ~ Protect groundwater quality
Support protecting the health of MN private well owners from the hazards of contaminated water by providing free water testing and safe alternative sources of drinking water or water treatment systems for impacted wells, because everyone deserves clean, healthy water. PDF

2 ~ Protect groundwater quantity
Support new groundwater laws, regional management, and state oversight of aquifers to assure that conservation measures are followed, surface waters are protected, and future demand does not exceed the aquifer’s capacity for recharge amid climate change and regional population growth. PDF

3 ~ No new fossil fuels
For new infrastructure projects, mandate the calculation of climate impacts including external and social costs of carbon; deny funding or permits for high impact projects and incentivize those with no significant carbon footprint; transition from existing fossil fuel-based infrastructure as quickly as possible. PDF

4 ~ Green New Deal
Declare a climate emergency and support a Green New Deal to provide a just energy future in which all Minnesotans can reap the health and economic benefits of efficiency programs, renewable electricity, and clean energy jobs. Mandate the use of union labor in development of new energy infrastructure. PDF

5 ~ Prove it first
Support the Minnesota Legislature holding a hearing on the proposed Prove It First legislation, and support the Governor directing the DNR to withhold all applied for permits for copper nickel sulfide mines in Minnesota until it can first be proven that such mines can be operated safely in our water-rich environment and not violate state, federal, and tribal water quality standards. PDF

6 ~ Clean transportation
Support development of sustainable transportation in all areas of the state, including safe pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, mass transit improvements, streetcars, commuter rail, light rail, and buses, reduction of air travel emissions, and charging stations for electric vehicles. PDF

7 ~ Environmental justice
Support protections and provide funding for environmental justice communities statewide from pollution, extreme heat, and other environmental harms, and ensure that these communities’ voices are fully included in permitting decisions that impact them. PDF

8 ~ Pharmaceutical pollution
Support extended producer responsibility for the management of waste pharmaceuticals and packaging to protect water quality for wildlife and human health. PDF

9 ~ Reduce Plastic Waste
Enact Extended Producer Responsibility for plastic packaging requiring producers to collect 70% of the plastic packaging they generate within five years and reduce the plastic packaging they produce by 50% within ten years. Prohibit ALL toxic substances and materials in plastic packaging. PDF

10 ~ Tribal Sovereignty
Support Indigenous tribes’ rights to self-government, including the generation of revenue to serve their people and the protection of the natural resources they depend on. PDF

11 ~ No rollbacks
Amend the Ongoing Platform: Oppose any effort to circumvent or weaken state or federal environmental laws or protections involving administrative procedures and permitting. PDF

12 ~ Commonsense protections for public lands
Support common sense measures, including adequate buffer zones, signage, and environmental assessments, to protect and preserve habitat and waters on public lands from off road vehicle (e.g., ATVs) impacts. PDF

13 ~ Preserve Minnesota natural spaces
Support accelerated action to protect, restore, and improve management of forests, prairie, and wetlands to fight climate change and preserve natural places for people and wildlife. PDF

14 ~ Precautionary principle/Chemicals
​​Require newly developed substances to be proven safe before widespread manufacture and use and support the banning of toxic and carcinogenic substances, such as PFAS, in consumer goods. Precautionary-principle

15 ~ Restore MPCA Board
Support the reestablishment of the MPCA Citizens’ Board to ensure Minnesotans are represented in major environmental decision making. PDF

16 ~ Fossil fuel Divestment
Support the divestment from fossil fuel holdings by the Minnesota State Board of Investment to protect the pensions of Minnesota civil servants and educators from financial risk and to help move our economy to clean energy sources. PDF

17 ~ Sustainable agriculture
Support funding for research, technical assistance, and education to rapidly implement regenerative farming, establish perennial crops, rotational grazing, cover crops, and no-till farming, to invest in rural communities and our food and farming system, conserve and build healthy soils, clean our water, sequester carbon and bolster farm income. PDF

18 ~ Get the lead out
Support the reduction of lead exposure in people and animals by prohibiting the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle. PDF

19 ~ Support organic waste diversion
Support Minnesota communities in developing “source-separated organics” (SSO) waste programs to allow diversion of organic wastes from landfills toward productive uses and to conserve landfill space. PDF

20 ~ Support free electronics recycling
Support providing free collection of electronic waste for all Minnesotans to increase electronic waste recycling rate to conserve precious metals and keep this material out of traditional waste disposal streams where it causes pollution and endangers workers. PDF