Canadian Wildfire Study Commission

 

Generate actionable solutions to mitigate air pollution in Minnesota resulting from Canadian wildfires. The committee

shall produce a report containing its recommendations.

 

 

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, in 2015, air pollution contributed to ten percent of deaths in the

Twin Cities Metro, which is approximately 1,600 people. Air pollution also played a significant role in 500

hospitalizations and emergency visits due to heart and lung problems.

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, in 2023, due to the Canadian wildfires, there were 22 total alerts

covering 52 days, compared to the previous record of 13 alerts in 42 days set in 2021.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, smoke from wildfires contains fine particles that are small enough to

enter the lungs, heart, and bloodstream. Short-term effects include: Coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath, burning

eyes or throat, headaches, dizziness, or nausea, worsening of asthma and or COPD symptoms, increased risk of heart

failure, heart attack, or stroke, increased risk of emergency room visits, hospital admissions, and adverse birth

outcomes.

 

 

The commission shall be comprised of no less than eighteen and no more twenty four individuals.

The commission shall include the following members:

A House member of the majority party from a relevant committee

A House member of the minority party from a relevant committee

A member of the Senate of the majority party from a relevant committee

A member of the Senate of the minority party from a relevant committee

Commissioner of the pollution control agency

Commissioner of the department of natural resources

4 university faculty and/or researchers with relevant expertise

8 members from the private sector with expertise in innovation or entrepreneurship

Up to 6 additional members may be added to the commission:

These members may be drawn from the institutions, including the following: the Canadian government, Relevant US federal

agencies

 

 

Up to $100,000 shall be made available to support the duties of the commission; funding may be drawn from the

administrative budget of the pollution control agency.

 

 

This bill only calls for the creation of a commission and does not require penalties or enforcement.

 

The committee's report shall be submitted within ten months of enactment.