sky high pollution

how minnesota corporations pollute our planet and politics,

and how community collaboration can help the state reach its
2050 greenhouse gas emission reduction goals
 Table of Contents
Executive Summary 3
Downtown: Towers of Pollution 4
Minnesota Chamber
Minnesota
of Commerce:
ChamberPolitical
of
Pollution 5
Commerce: Political Pollution
The Social Cost of HERC 9
The Consequences of Inaction 10
Back on Track: Collaborative 11
Solutions

photo credits
Cover, edited from a photo of the IDS Center from the Crystal Court: Sharon Mollerus,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/clairity/40358064031/in/photostream/
IDS Center (page 3): Jim Winstead, https://www.flickr.com/photos/
81342178@N00/47749096/
City Center (Page 6): Zach Cierzan, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
File:City_Center_and_Gaviidae_Common_skyway.jpg
Optum HQ (page 8): Chad Davis, https://www.flickr.com/photos/
146321178@N05/49120017041/
General Mills HQ (Page 11): General Mills, https://www.flickr.com/photos/generalmills/
8978844191
Canadian Pacific Plaza (age 12): Joe Passe, https://www.flickr.com/photos/
98623843@N05/15469680487
 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Like Minneapolis, the state of Minnesota
has set the goal of an 80 percent reduction
3
In recent years, damage to the climate
in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. e
has emerged as both an environmental
state is not on track to meet this goal in
justice issue and a racial justice issue, with
part because of the work of the Minnesota
an increased awareness of the threat it
Chamber of Commerce (see page 5) which
poses to all of us.
has lobbied against clean energy policies.
Recognizing this, the city of Minneapolis Many of those siing on the board of
has been environmentally proactive and directors are senior executives within the
has commied to modernizing the ways in commercial and industrial building
which we get our energy. Last year, the community. e Chamber of Commerce
Minneapolis City Council declared a has demonstrated a clear record of
climate emergency, and has set goals to opposing clean energy policies in
modernize their energy infrastructure to be Minnesota on behalf of their members.
powered by 100 percent renewable sources
Furthermore, the Hennepin Energy
by 2022 and to reduce greenhouse gas
Recovery Center (HERC,) which
emissions by 80 percent by 2050.
incinerates the trash from commercial
e municipal and residential segments buildings, affects the residents of the
have both made strides to reduce their community where it is located, North
emissions, yet the overall goal of 80 percent Minneapolis. While the HERC itself has not
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions has been studied, similar trash incinerators
fallen behind largely because of one critical around the country emit CO2 at the rate of
economic segment: commercial and up to 2.5 times that of a coal power plant
industrial buildings. and the toxins they emit cause a variety of
Commercial and industrial buildings negative health outcomes for nearby
account for half of all greenhouse gas residents. (see page 9)
emissions in Minneapolis, and their owners e reality is Minnesota communities,
have not effectively invested in clean especially poor communities and
energy policy. e city set a goal of a 20 communities of color, are living with dirty
percent reduction in energy consumption air, worse health outcomes, and high
by these buildings by 2025, but as of 2018, energy bills.
they were consuming 6 percent more
e workers who clean, maintain, and
energy than the base year. (see page 4)
guard the major buildings in the Twin
Cities area and a coalition of climate,
environmental, community groups are
Minneapolis Greenhouse calling on the owners of commercial and
Gas Emissions from industrial buildings in the Twin Cities to
Citywide Activities form an Owners & Community Green
Table to get our city and state back on
track to meeting greenhouse gas reduction
goals. e community has offered three
solutions for immediate consideration:
• Commercial and industrial building
owners should adopt a Green
Cleaning Technician Training
Program for commercial building
Source: City of Minneapolis1
 janitorial workers to reduce energy use,
waste and the use of toxic chemicals.
downtown.4 e city has a goal of a 20
percent reduction in energy consumption
4
• Building owners must commit to end by 2025 for this segment. Currently,
their membership in trade greenhouse gas emissions have increased
associations that lobby against clean by six percent in the city of Minneapolis
energy policies, specifically the since the reduction goal was set.5
Chamber of Commerce and the
National Association of Manufacturers. New commercial buildings continue to
• e HERC,2 a trash incinerator in rely on the use of fracked gas (aka natural
North Minneapolis, must cease gas) as a heat source, while many older
operation. While the HERC itself has buildings are very heat inefficient due to a
not been studied, similar trash failure to update their energy solutions.6
incinerators are a major source of air
pollutants, including dioxin, lead, and Large building owners cost the public
mercury. Where these incinerators are money by neglecting clean energy
located next to communities of color, solutions. Each ton of carbon released into
the toxins they emit contribute to the atmosphere has a social cost of $42.46,
significant racial health disparities, that is, the general public pays the
including increased rates of equivalent of $42.46 for each ton released.7
miscarriages and cancer. Aside from
these health impacts, they also emit Consider Artis REIT, which owns
CO2 at a rate 2.5 times that of a coal Canadian Pacific Plaza and 601 Carlson
power plant. Tower. In 2018, their CEO was paid $2.3M,8
and their footprint across all of their
DOWNTOWN: TOWERS OF buildings was 65,268 tons of greenhouse gas
POLLUTION emissions with a social cost of $2.8M.9 In
effect, Artis REIT was able to pay its CEO
e municipal and residential segments
entirely by evidently off-loading the cost of
in Minneapolis have both made strides to
greenhouse gas emissions onto the public.
reduce their emissions. Yet, the overall goal
of 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas By partnering with the workers most
emissions has fallen behind because of one responsible for the upkeep of their
critical economic segment: commercial and buildings, major corporations in
industrial buildings.3 Minneapolis and the Twin Cities could do
their part to reduce climate impacts.
In Minneapolis, half of all greenhouse gas
emissions are caused by commercial and In contract negotiations underway at this
industrial buildings, most of which are writing, janitorial workers represented by
SEIU Local 26 have proposed the creation of
a Green Cleaning Technician training
Definition program10 for commercial building janitorial
"social cost of carbon" workers. is program would allocate two
cents per hour of work done by janitorial
A comprehensive monetary estimate workers to train and certify green
of climate change damages to society, technicians in the expanded use of non-toxic
based upon the best available scientific green chemicals, recycling, and reducing the
knowledge, and includes, among other carbon footprint of commercial and
things, changes in net agricultural industrial buildings, especially those in the
productivity, human health, property central business district.
damages from increased flood risk and
changes in energy system costs.
 When adopted elsewhere, the program
has been shown to reduce energy use by
5.6 percent on average in buildings where
it has been implemented;11 were this
implemented in the central business
district, it could bring commercial and
industrial buildings more than 20 percent
closer to their energy use reduction goals.12
By supporting the creation of a Green
Cleaning Technician Training program,
major building owners would show the
community they are concerned about the
health of building workers, building
tenants, and the community writ large.

MINNESOTA CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE: POLITICAL
POLLUTION
In addition to burdening the public with
the cost of their carbon footprint, many of
the owners of Minneapolis’ largest buildings
oppose modernizing the energy grid, oen
covertly through trade associations.
Many local corporations who either own
large commercial buildings or rent space in
those buildings belong to the Chamber of Artis REIT14
Commerce, which has demonstrated a clear
MPLS property: Canadian Pacific
record of opposing clean energy policies in
Plaza; 601 Carlson Towers
Minnesota on behalf of their members.
Headquarters: Winnipeg, Manitoba,
e Chamber of Commerce consistently Canada
opposes legislation that would encourage
Annual Profit: $121M
the transition to clean energy. In 2019, the
Chamber of Commerce said they “support CEO, pay: Armin Martens, $2.3M
strategies that consider all of the energy Annual social cost of global GHG
resources available as long as those emissions: $2.8M15
strategies result in cost-effective power, Scientific GHG Emission Reduction
competitive rates, ensure system reliability Target: No
and do not shi costs to others.”13 However,
the Chamber of Commerce has consistently energy bills introduced in the Minnesota
fought against any clean energy solutions House of Representatives:
proposed at the state level. • 100 Percent Clean Energy by 2050
In 2019, for instance, the Chamber of (HF2208) would require all of
Minnesota’s utilities to use 100%
Commerce opposed the 100 Percent carbon-free electricity by 2050, a
Clean Energy by 2050 bill and e Clean necessary step if Minnesota is to keep
Energy First Act, two bipartisan clean emissions below the scientifically
 that the state adopt basic clean car
standards, the Chamber of Commerce
6
opposed the effort.21 When Enbridge22
proposed not only to replace but to expand
their Line 3 pipeline,23 the Chamber of
Commerce lobbied the Public Utilities
Commission to speed construction of the
pipeline despite the dangers it posed.24
Beyond opposing infrastructure
modernization to support clean energy
initiatives, the Chamber of Commerce has
argued in favor of stifling the free speech
of those who support it. In 2018, the
Chamber of Commerce was a leading
General Mills16 advocate for HF3693,25 a bill that would
have extended civil and criminal liability to
MPLS property: General Mills World HQ;
organizations that have connections to
various corporate offices
protesters who protest at the site of
Headquarters: Minneapolis, MN “critical infrastructure.” 26
Annual Profit: $1.6B
e legislation was so broad in its
CEO, pay: Jeffrey Harmening, $4.6M concept of “vicarious liability” that it was
Annual social cost of global GHG dubbed the “guilt by association” bill.
emissions: ∼$405.7M17 Teresa Nelson, Legal Director of the
Scientific GHG Emission Reduction Minnesota Chapter of the American Civil
Target: Yes Liberties Union, said the bill “runs afoul of
the right to due process, it punishes the
recommended level.18 Failure to constitutional right of freedom of speech
reduce carbon producing energy will and freedom of association, and will almost
result in irreparable and catastrophic certainly chill speech.” 27
damage to the climate. Lauryn
Schothorst, the Chamber of e Chamber of Commerce also has long
Commerce’s director of energy and opposed public involvement in
labor-management policy nonetheless environmental decisions. In 2015, the
characterized this vital measure as
simply “additional mandates” during a
legislative hearing about this bill.19
• e Clean Energy First Act (HF1956) Definition
would require utilities to evaluate
"scientific greenhouse gas
modern energy infrastructure before
investing in outdated technology. Ms.
emission reduction target"
Schothorst testified against the bill on
behalf of the Chamber of Commerce GHG reduction goals that are in line with
and its members to express concern scientific recommendations to keep global
that the proposed law could increase warming below two degrees Celsius. If a
business costs.20 company has significant CO2 emissions
e Chamber of Commerce has but has not set a scientific reduction target,
consistently rejected tangible clean energy it is a major red flag that any
reforms. When Governor Walz proposed environmental rhetoric of the company is
simply greenwashing.
 7
“We are people from the countryside in Ecuador, and when I was young it
was a fertile place. But then the droughts began, and the land didn’t produce
anymore. As people who lived on what we took from the earth, we had to
leave. We were not alone, millions of people from the areas near my village
le too, in one of the biggest migrations ever out of South America.
"Now I clean buildings that are some of the biggest polluters in Minnesota,
which furthers the same problem that made me immigrate. is must be
addressed. I think if we win green cleaning, we can send a message.”

Elsa Guamán
Member, SEIU Local 26

"I want a healthy environment for my family, also in my workplace for my

colleagues. is means training to work with chemicals that do not affect
our health or that of our clients.
"In my work they made us sign training sheets for trainings they didn't
give us, and we had to take breaks and eat food in the same place where
they store the harmful cleaning chemicals. And it smells bad. We fight to
win respect and justice."

Guadalupe Pineda
Member, SEIU Local 26

"I collect trash in downtown Minneapolis. At the end of my workday I go to

my home in North Minneapolis and breath in the polluted air from the HERC
incinerator that is burning the garbage I collected. is is the reason I am
fighting for a healthy planet for my kids."

Maurice McLaurin
Member, SEIU Local 26
Chamber of Commerce successfully worked l
to eliminate the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency’s Citizens’ Board.28 In 2017,
the Chamber of Commerce sought to
eliminate the Environmental ality Board
and hand over some of the power of the
board to industries the board regulates.29 In
2019, the Chamber of Commerce praised
efforts to limit citizen input through the
“continued streamlining of environmental
review and permiing processes.” 30
Ultimately, Minnesota has set a goal of an
80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas
UnitedHealth Group35
emissions by 2050,31 and the state is not on MPLS property: UHG World HQ; other
track to meet this goal32 seemingly in part corporate offices; multiple
because of the work of the Chamber of clinics
Commerce and its members. ough many Headquarters: Minneapolis, MN
of its members individually profess to be Annual Profit: $12.4B
working to combat climate change, their
CEO, pay: David Wichmann, $18.1M
membership in trade associations who
oppose clean energy policies tells a Annual social cost of global GHG
different story. emissions: $2B36
Scientific GHG Emission Reduction
General Mills, which owns many office
Target: No
buildings in the Twin Cities metropolitan
area, including their global headquarters, is
a prime example. obbied the Trump administration to exit
On their website and in their corporate the Paris Climate Accords37 and which has
literature, General Mills suggests that their been recognized as the trade association
corporate style of environmentalism is one causing the most harm to climate policy in
of their core values. In its corporate the world. 38
environmental sustainability report, Samsung Electronics owns one of the
General Mills claims to be a caregiver of largest buildings in Minneapolis, City
the environment: Center (33 South Sixth Street,) and is also a
“General Mills strives to be a good member of the NAM. Samsung Electronics is
steward of the environment. represented on the NAM board of directors
Environmental responsibility is a core by David Steel, Samsung Electronics’
company value, and its business Executive Vice President and Head of
depends on the present and future Corporate Affairs.39 Although Minneapolis
availability of natural resources. may have been a valuable financial
General Mills has implemented investment, through the work of the NAM,
innovative ways to minimize its it evidently does not seem worthy of a clean
environmental footprint by identifying energy investment by Samsung Electronics
opportunities to incorporate
that would benefit the community.
sustainable strategies, processes and
products throughout its operations.” 33 Withholding dues from the Chamber of
Commerce and its campaigns against clean
However, General Mills is a member of
energy — combined with the introduction
the NAM,34 which recently and successfully
of Green Cleaning Technicians into their
buildings — would demonstrate a
the HERC; that trash is then used to
produce energy, and that energy is used to
9
commitment to addressing rising power the same commercial and industrial
greenhouse gases. buildings feeding it trash – adding yet
more CO2 to the city’s carbon footprint.
Such action does have precedent. ere
have been several cases of high-profile Building owners need to understand that
companies exiting trade associations to much of the garbage they produce is directly
protest their stance on climate policy. For hurting residents of one of the most
example, both Apple and Nike marginalized communities in the U.S., North
discontinued their membership in the US Minneapolis. Points of concern include:
Chamber of Commerce in 2009 for • e waste from these buildings is being
environmental reasons.40 sent to be burned next to perhaps one of
the most challenged communities in the
Community partners, including
state, North Minneapolis, where many
downtown cleaners, believe corporations commercial cleaners live and which is
that are truly commied to preventing already burdened by several other
further damage to the climate typically do industrial facilities.
not pay dues to trade associations lobbying • e emissions from other trash
to oppose climate protections. ese incinerators that have been studied
community partners, including downtown include all kinds of harmful
cleaners, are therefore asking companies substances like dioxin, mercury, lead,
that believe in a healthy Minnesota to and nitrous oxides that can cause
discontinue their memberships in trade serious health impacts, including
cancer and miscarriages.43
associations opposing reasonable clean
energy policies. • Trash incineration not only emits
harmful substances; a national study

THE SOCIAL COST OF THE Definition

HERC
Today, indigenous people and people of
"greenwashing"
color are the most likely to be impacted by Superficially environmentally
pollution and climate change.41 Many conscious practices with an underlying
recent immigrants to Minnesota cite purpose of increasing profit directly
danger from climate change as the major through cost savings or indirectly by
factor in leaving their home countries. Yet, generating public goodwill.
in North Minneapolis, the HERC evidently
For example, UnitedHealth’s
releases toxic chemicals at astounding rates
environmental position is incoherent. In
into the nearby urban neighborhoods – a
one document, their environmental
predominantly Black and Brown
impact statement reads: “We also
community.
appreciate that a changing
e HERC is a trash incinerator owned environment can impact our ability to
by Hennepin County and run by Great accomplish our mission, and we
River Energy, which also owns and manage accordingly.” 44
operates coal plants elsewhere.42 Their Environmental policy, however,
Downtown buildings along with other reads: “climate change has not been
Hennepin County commercial and identified to be a material risk; and
residential customers, send their trash to therefore, is not identified as a
significant driver for business strategy.” 45
 documents that incinerators emits
carbon at a rate 2.5 times that of
friendlier to mosquitoes and ticks.50 10
• e record rains of 2019 caused
coal power plants, and this should devastating crop loss in Minnesota.51
also be counted in these buildings'
carbon footprint.46 • Flood damage in the Twin Cities and
around the state from increased
e implementation of a Green Cleaning rainfall threatens infrastructure built
Technician program could teach janitors to for 20th century weather conditions
sort and divert trash to recycling and and not intended for 21st century
composting so workers can take a direct climate realities.52
role in dramatically lowering the amount • Higher temperatures make allergies
trash being burned until the incinerator is and asthma more common and acute.53
shut down. is approach could also show Hospital trips for heat-related
the state how to move to zero waste. illnesses have increased.54 ese kinds
of health impacts are most severely
e city of Minneapolis has been felt in large urban cities, especially
environmentally proactive in many ways parts of cities populated
and has commied to using renewable and predominantly by people of color,
sustainable energy; the HERC, however, is such as the neighborhoods around the
HERC in North Minneapolis.55
not one of those measures. Last year, the
Minneapolis city council declared a climate As the damage to the climate worsens,
emergency47 and has set goals of using 100 more drastic changes will be felt across the
percent renewable energy by 2022 and state. In the Boundary Waters Canoe Area,
reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 evergreens will be replaced with maple and
percent by 2050.48 Building owners need a
holistic understanding of how their
properties impact Minneapolis. Closing the Leadership in the Chamber
HERC would address the impact of our of Commerce56
largest commercial buildings and build
toward Minnesota’s goal of CO2 reduction. The Chamber's board of directors is
comprised of high-level executives from
THE CONSEQUENCES OF many companies which own major
INACTION buildings in the Twin Cities.34
• General Mills — General Mills World
Global warming is a reality for every
HQ, 750K sqf; Dupont Center Building,
Minnesotan. Community and worker input
690K sqf.
on clean energy solutions is one powerful
way Minnesotans can cooperatively create • US Bank — US Bank Plaza, 1.3M sqf
a healthy state and a healthy planet for • Ryan — Midtown Exchange, 1.1M sqf;
ourselves and our children. AT&T Tower, 690K sqf
According to one analysis, Minneapolis • Best buy — Corporate HQ, 1.7M sqf
will feel the effects of climate change more • Medtronic — various office buildings,
than any U.S. city but New Orleans, which more than 5M sqf in TC
is sinking into the Gulf of Mexico.49 e • Target — corporate HQ 1.7M sqf;
earliest effects of climate change are Financial West, 500K sqf
already noticeable across Minnesota: • United Health — various offices, more
• West Nile virus and Lyme disease are than 2.5M sqf in TC
becoming more common in greater • Wells Fargo — various offices, about 1.2M
Minnesota as the climate becomes
sqf, not counting banking locations
oak. Loons will cease to come in the
summer and feral pigs and possum will
gas emissions. In addition to the table,
community members have identified three
11
become commonplace.57 Duluth may immediate solutions that will get
become a haven for climate migrants.58 Minneapolis back on track to reaching its
Extreme rain will become the norm; as one established CO2 reduction goals:
climate scientist said, “Look at last year’s • Creating a Green Cleaning
numbers in Fillmore County, where we had Training Program: e green
weather observers recording more than 60 cleaning training program will train
inches of precipitation. at’s Tallahassee, and certify green technicians in the
Florida. at’s not Minnesota.” 59 expanded use of non-toxic green

e combination of these factors has

directly affected precious farmland and the
health of all Minnesotans. Clear solutions
need to be implemented immediately.
Energy use by commercial and industrial
buildings had risen six percent at a time
when that number should be in decline.
Building owners need to collaborate with
community members to find effective
solutions that benefit all Minnesotans.

BACK ON TRACK:
COLLABORATIVE
SOLUTIONS
We all have a responsibility to be good
stewards of our environment, to protect
our communities and families from the
pollution damaging our health and our
planet. e greatest responsibility lies with
those who have profited the most off
carbon-intensive businesses, such as
commercial and industrial real estate,
which evidently accounts for more than
half of carbon emissions in Minneapolis.
We have a lot of work to do if we are
going to prevent the worst effects of
climate change. at is why, in the Twin Accesso Partners
Cities metropolitan area, a group of
MPLS property: IDS Center
nonprofit organizations, worker centers,
and union members — including janitors Headquarters: Hallandale Beach, FL
who clean downtown buildings — are Annual Profit: UNDISCLOSED
proposing the creation of an Owner & CEO pay: UNDISCLOSED
Community Green Table where they can Annual social cost of global GHG
work with building owners of large CO2- emissions: UNDISCLOSED
producing buildings to establish bold
Scientific GHG Emission Reduction
solutions to reduce waste and greenhouse
Target: No
 chemicals, recycling, and reducing a
building’s carbon footprint. e
program has been shown to reduce
energy use by 5.6 percent, on average,
in buildings where it has been
implemented;60 were this
implemented across the board, it
could bring commercial and industrial
buildings more than 20 percent closer
to their energy use reduction goals.
• End lobbying against clean energy
policies: Building owners must make
the bold statement of severing their Samsung Electronics63
membership ties to trade associations MPLS property: 33 S. Sixth Street/City
that do not align with Minnesota’s
commitment to reducing greenhouse Center
gas emissions by 2050. is includes Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
without limitation discontinuing Annual Profit: $38.1B
membership with the NAM and the
Chamber of Commerce. CEO, pay: Ki Nam Kim, $3.9M
• Closing the HERC: While the Annual social cost of global GHG
HERC itself has not been studied, emissions: ∼$372.6M64
similar trash incinerators are a major Scientific GHG Emission Reduction
source of air pollutants, including Target: No
dioxin, lead, and mercury. Where
these incinerators are located next to of the business decisions of a relatively small
communities of color, the toxins they
emit contribute to significant racial group of property owners and the trade
health disparities, including increased associations to which they belong. Many of
rates of miscarriages and cancer.61 these building owners do not call Minnesota
Aside from these health impacts, they home. Collaborating with workers and the
also emit CO2 at a rate 2.5 times that community is a powerful way to ameliorate
of a coal power plant.62 the pernicious causes of greenhouse gas
Minnesota is far behind on its emissions and environmental injustice in
commitments to prevent further damage to Minnesota and to pave the way for a beer
the climate, seemingly in large part because tomorrow for everyone.
End Notes

1) Minneapolis Greenhouse Gas Emissions Tracking. (2020). Retrieved 31 January 2020,

from ​http://www.minneapolismn.gov/sustainability/climate-action-goals/ghg-emissions

2) The HERC is operated by Great River Energy and is located at 505 N 6th Ave,
Minneapolis, MN 55405.

3) Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership 2018 Annual Report. (2019). Retrieved 31

January 2020, from
https://mplscleanenergypartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/2018-CEP-Annual-
Report_FINAL.pdf

4) Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership 2018 Annual Report. Page 24 states that 73% of
city emissions come from natural gas and electric usage in buildings. The city further
divides this usage into “Residential” and “Commercial and Industrial” segments. They
also convert their electricity and natural gas usage data into the same units — MBTU or
million British Thermal Units — to calculate total energy use. On page 20, the report
says that the residential segment used 15,617,668 MBTU in 2018. On page 37, the
report states that commercial and industrial buildings used 32,979,209 MBTU in 2018, or
68% or total energy usage. Simply multiplying the 73% of total emissions caused by
energy use by the 68% accounted for by commercial and industrial buildings yields the
total emissions caused by commercial and industrial buildings: 49.64%.

5) Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership 2018 Annual Report. Page 4

6) Hollenkamp, L. (2019). 2018 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Update. Page 11

Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/File/2703/2018%20Greenhouse%20Gas%20
Emissions%20Inventory%20Update%20Presentation.pdf

7) Otarola, M. (2019). Minneapolis declares climate emergency, plans sustainable building

policy. Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-declares-climate-emergency-announces-sustain
able-housing-policy/565709652/?refresh=true
8) Notice of Annual Meeting of Unit Holders. Page 42 (2019). Retrieved 31 January 2020,
from ​https://www.artisreit.com/files/2019/05/Final-2019-Information-Circular.pdf

Note: Converted from CAN to USD based on December, 2018, exchange rate:

Historical CAD/USD Exchange Rate (31/12/2018). (2018). Retrieved 31 January 2020,

from
https://www.poundsterlinglive.com/best-exchange-rates/canadian-dollar-to-us-dollar-exc
hange-rate-on-2018-12-31

9) Artis REIT 2018 Environment Social Governance Report. (2019). Retrieved 31 January
2020, from ​https://www.artisreit.com/annual-report/2018esg/​ . Note that this Canadian
company gives their emissions in tonnes (metric tons.) One tonne equals about 1.1 tons.

10) The BlueGreen alliance has worked with many organizations to implement similar
trainings other major metro areas across the nation. ​https://www.bluegreenalliance.org/

11) Green Janitor Education Program. Retrieved 31 January 2020, from

http://www.buildingskills.org/programs/greenjanitor/

12) Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership 2018 Annual Report. Page 4

13) Orenstein, W. (2019). A proposal known as ‘Clean Energy First’ could play a big role in
how Minnesota responds to climate change | MinnPost. Retrieved 31 January 2020,
from
https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2019/09/a-proposal-known-as-clean-energ
y-first-could-play-a-big-role-in-how-minnesota-responds-to-climate-change/

14) Notice of Annual Meeting of Unit Holders. Page 42 (2019). Retrieved 31 January 2020,
from ​https://www.artisreit.com/files/2019/05/Final-2019-Information-Circular.pdf

Note: Converted from CAN to USD based on December, 2018, exchange rate:

Historical CAD/USD Exchange Rate (31/12/2018). (2018). Retrieved 31 January 2020,

from
https://www.poundsterlinglive.com/best-exchange-rates/canadian-dollar-to-us-dollar-exc
hange-rate-on-2018-12-31
15) Artis REIT 2018 Environment Social Governance Report. (2019). Retrieved 31 January
2020, from ​https://www.artisreit.com/annual-report/2018esg/​ Note that this canadian
company gives their emissions in tonnes (metric tons.) One tonne equals about 1.1 tons.

16) 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders. (2020). Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
https://s22.q4cdn.com/584207745/files/doc_financials/2019/annual/FY19-Annual-Report
-10-K-Web-Version.pdf

17) General Mills Inc. - Climate Change 2019 Response. (2020). Retrieved 31 January
2020, from
https://www.cdp.net/en/formatted_responses/responses?campaign_id=66216852&disclo
ser_id=825307&locale=en&organization_name=General+Mills+Inc.&organization_numb
er=7156&program=Investor&project_year=2019&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fcdp.credit3
60.com%2Fsurveys%2F9hz110bc%2F43265&survey_id=65670419

Note that CDP requires you to create a free account before accessing any document.

18) Global Warming of 1.5 ºC —. (2020). Retrieved 31 January 2020, from

https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/

19) Audio Recording - Energy and Climate Committee hearing, 02/05/19. Audio at
approximately 3:02:40 (2019). Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
http://ww2.house.leg.state.mn.us/audio/mp3ls91/energy020519.mp3

20) Orenstein, W. (2019). A proposal known as ‘Clean Energy First’ could play a big role in
how Minnesota responds to climate change | MinnPost. Retrieved 31 January 2020,
from
https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2019/09/a-proposal-known-as-clean-energ
y-first-could-play-a-big-role-in-how-minnesota-responds-to-climate-change/

21) Drugman, D. (2019). Public Comments Reveal Big Oil and Koch-backed Opposition to
Minnesota's Clean Car Standards. Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
https://www.desmogblog.com/2019/12/16/public-comments-oil-koch-minnesota-car-stan
dards
22) Enbridge Inc. is a Canadian multinational energy transportation company based in
Calgary, Alberta. It focuses on the transportation, distribution and generation of energy,
primarily in North America. ​https://www.enbridge.com/

23) Carroll, L. (2018) Enbridge's Mess: An Historic Moment for Minnesota Landowners.
Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
http://www.pipelinecleanupmn.org/sites/default/files/2018-06/Pipeline%20Abandonment
%20Report.pdf

24) Orenstein, W. (2019). Walz administration reconsidering lawsuit against Enbridge

pipeline project
https://www.minnpost.com/environment/2019/01/walz-administration-reconsidering-laws
uit-against-enbridge-pipeline-project/

25) Minnesota House of Representatives legislative bill HF3693, introduced March 12,
2018. The description reads, “Trespass to critical infrastructure liability and vicarious
liability created, and crime for recruiting or education individuals to trespass on or
damage critical infrastructure created.”
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF3693&ssn=0&y=2017

26) Campbell, R. (2018). Punish organizers for ‘bad actors’? Bill would create felony for
‘vicarious liability’ - Session Daily - Minnesota House of Representatives. Retrieved 31
January 2020, from ​https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13132

27) Campbell, R. (2018). Punish organizers for ‘bad actors’? Bill would create felony for
‘vicarious liability’ - Session Daily - Minnesota House of Representatives. Retrieved 31
January 2020, from ​https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13132

28) Dunbar, E. (2015). MN lawmakers pull the plug on pollution-fighting citizens' panel.
Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/06/16/citizens-board

29) Olsen, G. (2017). Future of Minnesota Environmental Quality Board in question.

Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
https://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/future-of-minnesota-envir
 onmental-quality-board-in-question/article_e4ac820d-499c-5519-9e36-44e40bf4d390.ht
ml

30) Supporting sensible regulations maintaining a clean environment and healthy business
climate | Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. (2019). Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
https://www.mnchamber.com/blog/supporting-sensible-regulations-maintaining-clean-en
vironment-and-healthy-business-climate

31) ​ Claflin, A., & Steinwand, F. (2019). Greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota: 1990-2016. 
Page 4. Retrieved 31 January 2020, from 
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/lraq-2sy19.pdf  

32) Claflin, A., & Steinwand, F. (2019). Greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota:
1990-2016. Page 4. Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/lraq-2sy19.pdf

33) General Mills: Environmental Sustainability Report. Page 2. Retrieved 31 January 2020,
from ​http://www.generalmills.com/~/media/Files/sustainability/GM_sustainability.ashx

34) General Mills: Civic involvement. (2020). Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
https://www.generalmills.com/en/Responsibility/Community/civic-involvement

35) United Health Group 2018 Form 10K. (2019). Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/investors/2018/UNH-Q4-201
8-Form-10-K.pdf

36) Target Corporation - CDP Climate Change Response 2019. (2020). Retrieved 31
January 2020, from
https://www.cdp.net/en/formatted_responses/responses?campaign_id=66216852&disclo
ser_id=823497&locale=en&organization_name=Target+Corporation&organization_numb
er=18320&program=Investor&project_year=2019&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fcdp.credit
360.com%2Fsurveys%2F9hz110bc%2F52451&survey_id=65670419​ . Note that CDP
requires you to create a free account before accessing any document.

37) Roberts, D. (2019). These senators are going after the biggest climate villains in
Washington. Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
 https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2019/6/7/18654957/climate-change-lobbyi
ng-chamber-of-commerce

38) Trade Associations and their Climate Policy Footprint. Page 9, (2017). Retrieved 31
January 2020, from ​https://influencemap.org/evoke/306003/file_proxy​ . Note that this
website requires the creation of a free account before accessing the document.

39) NAM Board of Directors | NAM. (2020). Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
https://www.nam.org/about/board-of-directors/

40) Roberts, D. (2019). These senators are going after the biggest climate villains in
Washington.

41) Anzilotti, Eillie, “White people cause the most pollution but people of color suffer the
most from in,” Fast Company, 20 March 2019. Accessed 31 Jan 2020.
https://www.fastcompany.com/90322259/white-people-cause-the-most-pollution-but-peo
ple-of-color-suffer-the-most-from-it

42) Making Electricity, greatriverenergy.com, retrieved 1/31/2019,

https://greatriverenergy.com/making-electricity/

43) Pollution and Health impacts of Waste to Energy Incineration. (2019). Retrieved 31
January 2020, from
https://www.no-burn.org/wp-content/uploads/Pollution-Health_final-Nov-14-2019.pdf

44) Corporate Environmental Policy. Retrieved 31 January 2020, from

https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/About/UNH-Environmental-P
olicy.pdf

45) Environmental Impact Statement. Retrieved 31 January 2020, from

https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/About/UNH-Environmental-I
mpact-Statement.pdf

46) “Trash Incineration More Polluting than Coal,’ Energy Justice Network Report.
Accessed 31 Jan 2020. ​http://www.energyjustice.net/incineration/worsethancoal
47) Minneapolis declares climate emergency. 2020. City of Minneapolis. Retrieved 31 Jan.
2020, from
http://news.minneapolismn.gov/2019/12/13/minneapolis-declares-climate-emergency/

48) Climate change resilience. (2020). Retrieved 31 January 2020, from

https://minneapolis2040.com/goals/climate-change-resilience/

49) Berger, M. The weather.com Climate Disruption Index. Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
http://stories.weather.com/disruptionindex

50) Nelson, C. (2019). From disease to habitat loss, researchers lay out Minnesota's bleak
climate realities. Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/01/17/minnesota-house-climate-committee-hearing

51) Irfan, U. (2019). 2019 was a brutal year for American farmers. Retrieved 31 January
2020, from
https://www.vox.com/2019/12/27/21038054/american-farmer-2019-climate-change-agric
ulture-flood-trade-war-corn-soy

52) Bjorhus, J. (2019). NOWHERE FOR ALL THE WATER TO GO - Star Tribune,
9/22/2019. Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
http://e.startribune.com/Olive/ODN/StarTribune/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=MST%2F
2019%2F09%2F22&entity=Ar00101&sk=6407BC27&mode=text

53) Cusick, D. (2020). Past Racist Redlining Practices Increased Climate Burden on Minority
Neighborhoods. Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/past-racist-redlining-practices-increased-clima
te-burden-on-minority-neighborhoods/

54) Ibid.

55) Ibid.

56) Board of Directors. (2020). Retrieved 31 January 2020, from

https://www.mnchamber.com/board-directors
57) Mosedale, M. (2019). How Climate Change Will Impact Minnesota. Retrieved 31 January
2020, from ​http://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/climate-change-minnesota/

58) Malo, S. (2019). Future cool: Minnesota city ponders new boom as a climate migrant
destination. Retrieved 31 January 2020, from
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cities-future-usa/future-cool-minnesota-city-ponders-n
ew-boom-as-a-climate-migrant-destination-idUSKBN1WV1DS

59) Mosedale, M. (2019). How Climate Change Will Impact Minnesota. Retrieved 31
January 2020, from ​http://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/climate-change-minnesota/

60) Green Janitor Education Program. Retrieved 31 January 2020, from

http://www.buildingskills.org/programs/greenjanitor/

61) Pollution and Health impacts of Waste to Energy Incineration. (2019). Retrieved 31
January 2020, from
https://www.no-burn.org/wp-content/uploads/Pollution-Health_final-Nov-14-2019.pdf

62) Trash Incineration More Polluting than Coal | Energy Justice Network. Retrieved 31
January 2020, from ​http://www.energyjustice.net/incineration/worsethancoal

63) Samsung Electronics Company 2018 Annual Report. Page 44 (2019). Retrieved 31
January 2020, from
https://images.samsung.com/is/content/samsung/p5/global/ir/docs/2018_Business_Repo
rt_vF.pdf

64) Samsung Electronics Annual Sustainability Report. Page 36. (2019). Retrieved 31
January 2020, from
https://images.samsung.com/is/content/samsung/p5/global/ir/docs/sustainability_report_
2019_en.pdf​ . This sustainability report gives an emission rate relative to revenue: tons
CO2/KRW100M. 2018 Emissions= 3.6 tons per 100 Million KRW (the currency of South
Korea.) 2018 Revenue = KRW 243,771.4 billion of total revenue. Total emissions =
243,771,400,000,000*36/100,000,000=8,775,770.4 tons CO2 emitted in 2018, with a
social cost of $372.6M.