Minnesota Chemical Regulation and Policy Project

Work Group MeetingOctober 5, 2011

Public Meeting Oct. 12

AGENDA

5:00 Welcome and Introductions

Project Background and Overview Draft Proposals

5:30 Roundtable Discussions/Input Sessions

Policy and Risk Management

Science and Risk Assessment

Green Chemistry

6:30 Reconvene and Report Back

7:00 Close

Environmental Initiative Intro (who we are)

Project Background Purpose Funders Phase I Outcomes (Opportunities) Phase II Charge

Project Structure

Intro to Draft Proposals Policy Science Green Chemistry

Oct. 12 Presentation Outline

Recommendation: Create a Minnesota Green Chemistry Innovation Council by Governor’s Executive Order

Need: Increase economic development through the promotion of new Green

Chemistry businesses in Minnesota; Improve the sustainability and access to markets of existing Minnesota

businesses through Green Chemistry process improvements and product development.

Function: Develop and recommend strategies to: Identify sources of funding and incentives; Promote collaboration and synergies between entities; Identify ways to align existing initiatives and interests; Raise public awareness of Minnesota Green Chemistry businesses and

products.

Structure: Cross-sector membership TBD to demonstrate public and private-sector leadership and engagement

Green Chemistry Proposal

Recommendation: Implement a project to test alternative risk assessment methodologies to improve risk assessment in MN

Need: Identify and analyze new or underutilized risk assessment approaches enable better risk management decision-making. Guiding principles and priorities for adopting new approaches include:

increased precision and accuracy;

decreased uncertainty;

utilizing chemical mode of action information;

accounting for cumulative risk;

cost effectiveness and efficiency; and

high level of confidence in the data and risk assessment conclusions by all stakeholders.

Function: 2 Phases Phase 1 – inventory existing methods, data requirements, and relevant policy implications

Phase 2 – test and analyze alternative methods (vs. standard approaches) against the guiding principles

Structure: Assessment and analysis performed by a UMN graduate student with oversight and advisement from a cross-sector project advisory committee

Science and Risk Assessment Proposal

Recommendation: Create a Chemical Science Advisory Panel (CSAP) for the State of Minnesota

Need: provide a forum for scientific discussion and debate outside the policy realm

Structure: 6 members from the scientific community appointed to serve on the panel with the ability to call in other experts as needed on an ad hoc basis

Function: the CSAP will serve as an independent advisory body and will respond to specific requests (charges) from either the legislative or executive branch

Policy and Risk Management Proposal

Executive Branch

Legislative Branch

MPCA/MDHCommissioner

CSAP

Committee Chair or Legislator

LAC viaLegislative Auditor

Pathway for inputs and outputs of the Chemical Science Advisory Panel (CSAP)

Criteria

Relevant to MN environment or populationDisputed issue of science where independent review is helpful

Criteria

Criteria

Charge

Charge

Proposal• Work plan• Budget• Timeframe• Ad hoc

members• Screen for

relevance/importance

Full Report• 2/3 majority

60 days

Project Roadmap & Milestones October 12 – Public Input Meeting #1

5:00 – 7:00 pm; Wellstone Center, St. Paul

October 26 – Work Group Meeting

1) Review public input

2) Revise and refine recommendations

3) Further discussion of outreach and implementation plan

November 16 – Work Group Meeting

1) Revise and refine recommendations

2) Review draft Final Report outline

3) Prepare for Public Input Meeting (TBD)

Date TBD Stakeholder Input Meeting #2

December 7 – Work Group Meeting

1) Finalize and approve recommendations January 2012 – Final Report complete

Meeting Schedule & Locations

October 12 Public Input Mtg – Wellstone Ctr

October 26 Work Group Mtg – UROC

November 16 Work Group Mtg – SPSC Date TBD: Stakeholder Input Group Meeting #2

December 7 Work Group Mtg – UROC

http://www.environmental-initiative.org

Collaborative approach

MN unique/appropriate

Resource efficient/promote economic development

Sound science

Information, education, communications

Major Themes from Phase I Opportunities