The Legislature’s adjournment date of May 20 is fast approaching. Before legislators leave the halls of the Capitol — unlikely to return until 2025 — the Senate should make time to vote on two historic confirmations.
The highly qualified leaders running the Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency have yet to be confirmed by the DFL-led Senate. Doing so would fortify the commissioners’ positions at the helm of their agencies and provide a moment to celebrate the role of women in leadership positions.
When appointed in 2019, Commissioner Sarah Strommen made history as the first woman to lead the DNR, a widely and deservedly celebrated moment. After many years of service at the DNR, the Board of Water and Soil Resources and Minnesota Land Trust, Commissioner Strommen was recognized for her leadership abilities with an appointment to oversee the critical agency as the state embarked on a bold vision for preserving and protecting Minnesota’s natural resources for future generations.
Since Strommen’s appointment, Minnesota has made incredible progress toward protecting our climate and environment — and has made historic investments to preserve and enhance our great outdoors. Now is the time for the Senate to act and confirm Commissioner Strommen.
Over at the MPCA, Katrina Kessler has led with remarkable vision since her more recent appointment in November 2021. With a combined 15 years of experience at the agency before her appointment, Commissioner Kessler has used her knowledge to guide MPCA through some difficult challenges.
Kessler has helped the agency take on the threat of PFAS, known as “forever chemicals.” Under her leadership, new PFAS policies have made Minnesota a national leader in addressing this growing threat. The agency has also taken many steps to address the state’s increasing solid waste problems, working to help Minnesotans reduce waste, increase recycling and dig out from the literal mountains of trash in our landfills and incinerators that pollute our air and water.
While both commissioners have shown true leadership, neither has received a confirmation vote on the floor of the Senate. The current DFL majority should vote to confirm them both this session. A notable reason to do so is the opportunity to make Commissioner Strommen the first woman confirmed by the Senate to lead the DNR. This is no small matter, and the majority party should consider it seriously.
Now is the time for the Senate to do its part and officially confirm these two accomplished and qualified public servants to their roles. Both have proven that they are more than ready to meet the moment to tackle some of Minnesota’s biggest climate and environmental issues.
Paul Austin is the executive director of Conservation Minnesota, a statewide nonpartisan organization.
