Former Sen. Dayton Expresses Environmental Concerns at Green Conference

Dressed casually in a work shirt and slacks, former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton was back on the stump Friday at Minnesota State University, Mankato, addressing a small group of students, faculty, staff and local citizens about environmental challenges facing the state.

The gathering was the fourth annual Green Conference held on the campus mall.

In a short speech Dayton railed against the injustices caused by environmental pollution and accused the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, which he termed the “Minnesota Protects Corporations Agency,” of being too sympathetic with polluters.

Before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000, Dayton ran for Minnesota governor in 1996. His lieutenant governor running mate was Julie Jansen, who lived near two large hog farms with outdoor manure lagoons about a mile away. She had operated a rural day-care center until she was forced to close it because too many of the kids were getting sick.

more insideTelling Jansen’s story, Dayton said that the stink had become so unbearable that neighbors began selling their properties at a loss just to get away. Jansen refused to give in and petitioned the MPCA to intervene. The MPCA, however, kept telling her there was no problem. Eventually, after half a decade and much persistence, Jansen finally convinced the MPCA that hydrogen sulfide emissions from the lagoons were above the legal limit. The hog companies eventually covered the lagoons and bought her out.

Dayton pointed out that Jansen was just a housewife and a mother who took action, not a professional politician. This shows that individuals can make a difference.

Also speaking at the event were former state Rep. Ruth Johnson of St. Peter and current state Sen. Kathy Sheran, D-Mankato, who sits on the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Dayton said in a brief interview before the event that his current political work includes volunteering for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.