We didn't get a press release from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) about Governor Tim Walz's appointment of Katrina Kessler as the new commissioner of the agency.
Fortunately, there's Twitter:
We're pleased to announce Incoming Commissioner @katrinaMPCA! Currently Asst. Comm'r, Kessler has served our agency in various roles for over 15yrs, helping ensure every Minnesotan has clean air & water, sustainable lands, & a better climate. Learn more: https://t.co/wNArwz4pug pic.twitter.com/BpmGgt0Qjn
— Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (@MnPCA) October 29, 2021
That link leads to this featured story, Katrina Kessler appointed commissioner of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency:
Governor Walz has appointed Katrina Kessler commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency effective November 1, 2021. Prior to her appointment, Kessler served the agency as assistant commissioner for water policy and agriculture.
“I am proud to appoint Katrina Kessler as commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,” said Governor Walz. “Katrina is a dedicated public servant with a long track record of implementing innovative solutions at both the state and municipal level that are good for the environment and good for business. She is deeply committed to our Administration’s One Minnesota vision and is prepared to lead the state forward during this critical time to protect our state’s waters, air, land, and climate for future generations of Minnesotans.”
Kessler joined the MPCA as assistant commissioner in 2019, having returned to the agency after serving as director of the Surface Water and Sewers Division at the City of Minneapolis for three years. Previously, Kessler worked for 13 years at the MPCA, holding several positions across the agency.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to build upon the MPCA’s exceptional work to create a better climate, prevent and address PFAS contamination, and ensure that Minnesotans disproportionately impacted by pollution have cleaner air and water,” said Kessler. “We can continue to foster stronger economic growth and protect our natural resources by embracing the best science, local innovation, and Minnesota common sense.”
Serving as assistant commissioner, Kessler helped advance numerous agency priorities and policies to ensure that that every Minnesotan has healthy air, sustainable lands, clean water, and a better climate.
- Helping develop the statewide PFAS blueprint to prevent, manage, and cleanup these “forever chemicals” around Minnesota to protect families and communities
- Collaborating with business and industry to identify flexible environmental regulations in communities like Luverne that protect the environment and support new jobs
- Forging partnerships with farmers and other state agencies to protect water quality including the Ag-Urban Forum, a statewide effort to bridge divides between agricultural and urban sectors
While at the City of Minneapolis, Kessler provided strategic direction for management of the city’s 15-year-old sewer infrastructure and helped advance the city’s climate and water quality goals. During her first tenure at the MPCA, Kessler worked as a permit engineer in the Municipal and Industrial Divisions. She also served in supervisor and manager roles within the Environmental Analysis and Outcomes Division.
She has a bachelor of arts in environmental science from American University and a master of science in environmental engineering from the University of Minnesota. Katrina lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two sons.
We were impressed with her appearance on Wednesday to talk about Local Water Grants before the Minnesota House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee ( Watch MNHouse Environment Committee hearing on CWD, EAB & local government water grants here--the Update on Local Government Water Infrastructure grants begins at 1:34:26).
Committee Chair Rick Hansen, DFL-S. St. Paul released the following statement about the appointment:
“I applaud Governor Walz for selecting a capable leader with a broad range of experience to be the next leader of the MPCA. I know Commissioner Kessler is prepared to hit the ground running and to lead efforts to protect our environment. I look forward to working with her to preserve our natural resources and ensure Minnesota continues to be a healthy place to live.”
If we find a reaction from Hansen's counterpart in the Senate, Environment and Natural Resources Finance committee chair Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria, we'll insert it here.
Former MPCA Commissioner John Linc Stine tweeted:
Congratulations @katrinaMPCA named by @GovTimWalz to be Commissioner of the @MnPCA. A solid public servant. https://t.co/MLSjnMQ5GX
— John Linc Stine (@JLincStine) October 29, 2021
Former MPCA Laura Bishop, who came to the agency from mostly from the corporate world (Best Buy), resigned in early July as the agency head prior to Senate confirmation vote where the Republican majority in the Minnesota Senate were determined to throw her out. MPR's Brian Bakst and Tim Pugmire reported:
Republicans have been critical of her agency’s push to enact new vehicle emission standards, reduce chemicals in food packaging and enforce other air and water quality rules for agriculture and industry.
We'll see how the Republican majority monkeys around with this one. This tweet from her time with the City of Minneapolis makes us suspect she'll be able to handle whatever storm the Republicans send her way:
Join the City of Minneapolis Director of the Public Works Surface Water & Sewer Division, Katrina Kessler, as she goes 80 feet under Minneapolis into the storm tunnels to check out the work Minneapolis employees do that is often out of sight, out of mind. pic.twitter.com/rHq1yNkSDN
— City of Mpls Jobs (@CityMplsJobs) June 4, 2018
Heckova job.
Photo: In 2019, Dayton-era MPCA commissioner John Linc Stine, now the head of the Freshwater Society, tweeted this photo of Kessler at the 19th Annual Road Salt Symposium.
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