The Community Advisory Council
The Community Advisory Council (CAC) to Flint Hills Resources is a diverse group of concerned citizens sharing a common belief: open dialogue between the community and the Pine Bend Refinery enhances the quality of life in Dakota County.
The Council includes 20 representatives from communities surrounding the refinery: Apple Valley, Coates, Eagan, Empire Township, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Rosemount, Nininger and Vermillion Townships, as well as four Pine Bend employees and one Minnesota Pollution Control Agency representative.
What’s New
At the May 11th CAC meeting, the Environmental Committee and Kari Palmer (MPCA Environmental Research Scientist) provided an overview of air emission data as outlined in USA Today/December 2008 series. Further discussion on greenhouse gas emission and climate change was led by Peter Ciborowski (MPCA Research Scientist and Climate Change Expert). To view their presentations, please click on MPCA Overview of USA Today Series and
Global Warming and Climate Change in MN.
The CAC and FHR welcomes Connie O’Sullivan (Apple Valley), Jesse Swenson (IGH), and Mark Koetke (Rosemount) to the Council. New members will participate in an orientation and begin their Council duties in September 2009.
The Community Outreach Committee provided an informational table at the IGH Best Foundation 5k Walk/Run on May 2, 2009. Members shared various CAC environmental reports with community members as well as distributing brochures/magnets to identify Council activities and the CAC website.
The CAC celebrated it’s 10th year anniversary with a community meeting/open house celebration on Monday, December 8th. Highlights included comments from Scott Lindemann/FHR and Representative Dennis Ozment, Original Steering Committee Member. Community members visited the various committee tables and got to know their local representatives. Mariann Johnson/CAC Facilitator and Consultant presented the “Purpose, Background and Key Accomplishments of the Council”. For more on her report, click on 2008 Community Meeting Presentation.
At the November CAC meeting, the following Environmental Committee presentations were shared: Dr. Jeff Stevens, AECOM – Annual Air Monitoring Data Summary; Mike Falk, FHR – Annual Update of Ground Water Remediation; Lucinda Legel, FHR – Air Emissions Update Following Refinery Expansion. These reports can be viewed by clicking the Environmental tab above and choosing Air or Water Reports.
Mike Payette and Mark Maday from Union Pacific Railroad addressed CAC Safety Committee and member questions at the October CAC meeting. Railroad safety was an inititiave identified by the Safety committee at the CAC retreat.
Copies of the new CAC Brochure are now available for distribution.
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