Tina Smith on Environment

Supports EPA agreement on St. Louis River contamination

No cutbacks to EPA; keep responsible environmental policy

Smith: No. Says is fighting efforts to "roll back responsible environmental policy."

Housley: No position found. Opposes "too much regulation & bureaucracy."

Open PolyMet copper-nickel mine in the Iron Range

The land exchange is a prerequisite for PolyMet to build a copper-nickel mine--the first mine of its kind in Minnesota--near Hoyt Lakes, on northeastern Minnesota's Iron Range. Smith and other supporters say the land swap has benefits to the region regardless of mining.

Environmental advocates and other critics, however, have argued the amendment would remove an obstacle to the operation of a mine they believe will have disastrous effects on the environment in the name of temporary and limited economic gain. Smith's would-be general election opponent, GOP state Sen. Karin Housley, says Smith is pandering, and doesn't truly have miners' interests at heart.

Reduce water usage 15%; increase recycling 75%

Governor Dayton's executive order directs state agencies to achieve a 75 percent combined recycling and composting rate of solid waste by 2030. Under the Dayton-Smith Administration's leadership, the State Capitol Complex has implemented an enhanced recycling program with a goal of producing zero waste.

The Governor's executive order directs state agencies to ensure that 25 percent of total spend on priority contracts meet sustainability requirements by 2025. When the Office of Higher Education, for example, required that all copiers be set to double-sided--that practice saved $6,000 in the first year alone.