Clean Air Minnesota
Clean Air Minnesota is a coalition of air quality leaders convened by Environmental Initiative who are working voluntarily and proactively to reduce man-made sources of fine particulate matter (soot) and ground-level ozone (smog).
Together, we:
- Identify and prioritize strategies to reduce air pollution.
- Develop, fund, and implement projects to improve air quality.
- Track emissions reductions achieved and share outcomes with the wider community.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the majority of the air pollutants of concern today come from smaller, widespread sources that are not regulated in the way power plants and factories are. These sources include cars, trucks, construction equipment, small businesses, and residential wood burning.
These sources contribute nearly 75 percent of air pollution emissions in the state.
Recent accomplishments
Between 2019 – 2021, Environmental Initiative and our partners have achieved the following emissions reductions:
200 tons
of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
100 tons
of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
390 tons
of Fine Particulate Matter (PM 2.5)
Our Leadership
Clean Air Minnesota is co-chaired by the American Lung Association in Minnesota and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. The individuals listed below serve in an advisory capacity to Environmental Initiative staff for the partnership.
- Jon Hunter, American Lung Association – Co-chair
- Tony Kwilas, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce – Co-chair
- Paul Aasen, Minnesota Safety Council
- David Benke, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Jessie Carr, Minnesota Department of Health
- Dan Donkers, Ramsey County
- Tyler Ellis, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Patrick Hanlon, City of Minneapolis
- Mike Hansel, Barr Engineering
- Kartumu King, Environmental Justice Coordinating Council Fellow
- Jennifer Koenen, Barr Engineering
- Jenni Lansing, City of Minneapolis Health Department
- Chris Nelson, 3M
- Shannon Olsen, Flint Hills Resources
- Rick Patraw, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Kathy Raleigh, Minnesota Department of Health
- Scott Strand, Environmental Law & Policy Center
- Hillary Thomas, Environmental Justice Coordinating Council Fellow
- Brian Timerson, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Project Teams
Clean Air Minnesota partners are working to reduce emissions from mobile sources, small businesses (area sources), and wood smoke. These teams coordinate, collaborate, and develop specific projects to reduce emissions from Minnesota’s smaller, widespread, and less regulated sources of air pollution. Contact Sebastian Wells if you are interested in learning more or joining a project team.
Project Contacts
Our team brings collaboration, communication, convening, project development, and project management strengths to the Clean Air Minnesota partnership.
Contact us to discuss our model and program development opportunities.
Alli Mueller
Senior Partnership Manager Email Alli Office: 612-334-3388 ext. 8125 Cell: 612-425-4938
Tonya Draughn
Partnership Manager she/her Email Tonya Office: 612-334-3388 ext. 8121 Cell: 612-425-4944Clean Air News
Our Clean Air Minnesota quarterly newsletter highlights active projects, success stories, ways to get involved, events to attend, and news about Minnesota’s air quality.
Clean Air Blogs
Asthma, air quality, and athletes: The community coach’s role
An asthma attack can be a scary situation for coaches and athletes, but it doesn’t have to be! The Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and youth sport coaches collaborated to create a free 35-minute online training course to share information with youth coaches about what to do when a player has asthma symptoms or an asthma attack.
Be air aware with the Air Quality Index
Do you know how air quality can affect your health? You might not be able to see it, but the air you breathe could contain dangerous pollutants. The Air Quality Index can let you know what the quality of the air outside is before you open a window or step out for a walk.
The EPA plans to tighten air pollution standards, what it means for Minnesota
The U.S. EPA has proposed updated national ambient air quality standards for fine particle pollution, or PM 2.5, for the first time in more than a decade. The stricter standards highlight the importance of Clean Air Minnesota's voluntary emission reduction work to help Minnesota stay in compliance.
Our Partners
