Luke's Fundraiser for MCEA

I started as MCEA's newest attorney about 2 month ago. Every day since, I wake up thankful (and a little bit surprised) to remember how cool my job is.

Predominantly, I focus on helping Minneapolis neighborhoods advocate for healthy air. Many Twin Cities communities are burdened with sky-high rates of cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and more. These harms, concentrated in poor neighborhoods of color, are often directly tied to high-polluting industries.

What stands out to me about MCEA is its focus on wielding policy and legal expertise to complement community-led, clean-air advocacy. In just the past two months, I've met with city council members, proposed lawsuits, and drafted op-eds. At every stage, I've seen how MCEA's team works in close collaboration with community partners who are marching, speaking at public hearings, and otherwise demanding change.

The strategy works! Just last month, Minneapolis' city council voted unanimously to endorse a shut-down plan for a notorious downtown trash incinerator. 

For me, its a thrilling start to a job that also lets me advocate against nitrate pollution, propose improvements to our waste management system, and advocate for a just transition to clean energy in Minnesota. 

Of course, MCEA as a whole does a lot of other things. Here's the blurb: For 50 years, MCEA worked in the courts, at the legislature, and with public agencies to enact, strengthen, and enforce smart environmental laws. 

MCEA doesn’t just protect pristine wild places, we fight for every Minnesotan’s right to clean air and drinkable water, from the Fond du Lac Reservation to North Minneapolis; from Lake Superior to Limbo Creek.

Why support MCEA? Because you care about Minnesota’s environment. And because we can’t do this work without you. We’re building a better future together. Just a few of the things we’re working on:

1. The speculative PolyMet mine proposal has been challenged every step of the way, thanks to the efforts of MCEA and its partners. While other proposed mines wait to see how this plays out, we’re defending northern Minnesota. 
2. Our attorneys and experts go toe-to-toe with polluting industries like the toxic Smith Foundry in Minneapolis which shut down after MCEA and its partners demanded accountability for public health concerns.
3. We’ve attracted federal EPA attention to our state’s water quality standards, partnering with farmers and well-owners in southern Minnesota to solve serious threats to our state's drinking water.
4. MCEA is a climate organization, too! We’re incredibly proud of our work to help pass the 100% Clean Energy bill into law. Now comes the implementation, including building of storage and transmission lines that our clean economy will need to thrive. 

Our in-house team of lawyers, scientists, and policy experts position us to stand up for Minnesota’s people, climate, and environment. 

Each year, Give to the Max Day attracts brand new donors to MCEA. People want to feel the optimism and power that environmental action brings. Make your donation now, and then let your friends and family know about MCEA.

Learn more about our work by visiting our website: mncenter.org