Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Minnesota Environmental Science & Economic Review Board’s (MESERB) 2024 Winter Conference! It was great to see wastewater professionals from across the state come together to exchange ideas and support the research, study, and analysis of water quality issues important to Minnesota communities.
The day kicked off with Flaherty & Hood Attorneys Daniel Marx and Cooper Silburn discussing legal and regulatory updates related to PFAS, Sulfate, and Nitrogen, as well as key rulemaking updates at the state and federal level. Bolton & Menk’s Paul Saffert shared a thoughtful overview of water regionalization projects throughout the state, followed by MPCA staff Bill Dunn and Randy Thorson who conducted a conversation about two State Revolving Fund topics, including the proposed wastewater emerging contaminants (EC) grant program and Build America, Buy America (BABA).
Later on, MPCA’s Suzanne Baumann and Paul Kimman provided a thorough presentation on MESERB’s key priorities including PFAS, Sulfate, and Nitrogen, and held a robust discussion with members on each of these topics. Finally, Flaherty & Hood’s Elizabeth Wefel gave her insights regarding what to expect in the next legislative session and from the new administration.
If you would like to review the presentations from the event, click the links below:
- MESERB Winter Legal & Regulatory Update
- Best Practices in Rate Setting & Water Regionalization
- New Program Requirements: Emerging Contaminants (EC) & Build America, Buy America (BABA)
- MPCA Updates Presentation
- Election Analysis & 2025 Legislative Session Preview
Other related information from the MPCA:
- Wastewater Nitrogen Reduction Strategy applicability table
- Submit comments on the PFAS Biosolids Strategy
- Communications Toolkit: PFAS reduction and Amara’s Law, including the What are PFAS?
- PFAS Studies and reports
- Includes 1) desktop screening tool to estimate a business’s risk for PFAS and 2) industrial search tool to connect types of industry/NAICS codes to specific PFAS compounds
- PFAS trifold brochure in English
- Hmong, Somali, and Spanish are also available
- All currently open grants, including climate resilience, PFAS, and others
- Understanding water permitting for residents and elected officials videos
- MPCA Wastewater Technical Assistance
- Subscribe to OnPoint newsletter for wastewater permittee updates
- Who’s your wastewater inspector?
- Who’s your wastewater permit writer?
We always strive to improve our events, so we would appreciate you taking the time to fill out a short survey about your experience during our Winter Conference at the Baymont Hotel by Wyndham in Owatonna. Click the button below to submit your feedback.
If you have any questions about the conference or future MESERB events, please contact Cooper Silburn at ctsilburn@flaherty-hood.com.
We would also like to thank our 2024 Winter Conference Sponsors for their contributions to making this year’s event one for the books!
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Show your support for our organization and help us create the best events possible for members to learn and connect by being a conference sponsor! In return, MESERB will highlight and showcase your company before, during, and after the event. Our members will recognize your company as one that supports the research, study, and analysis of water quality issues important to Minnesota communities.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for one of our future events, please fill out our Sponsorship Contact Form to receive notifications about upcoming sponsorship opportunities.