S.H.E. Kindness Policy Program
2025 Take Actions
Take Action: Protect MN from Dangerous PFAS Forever Chemicals — Defend Amara’s Law!
By Alliance Board Member and Clean Water Action MN Executive Director Avonna Starck and Staff
In 2023, Minnesota passed the strongest PFAS forever chemical prevention legislation in the country as part of the omnibus environment, natural resources, climate, and energy finance and policy bill with bipartisan support and signed into law by Governor Tim Walz.
The legislation was named Amara’s Law after Amara Strande, a young woman who grew up in an area contaminated by PFAS and diagnosed with an exceedingly rare form of cancer. Amara’s Law bans PFAS in 11 consumer product categories starting in 2025 and bans all nonessential uses of PFAS by 2032.
As a commonsense policy, Amara’s Law safeguards lives, taxpayer dollars and our water, lands and air.
It includes a clear process for exemption requests through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, ensuring that all such requests are handled appropriately under the law’s framework.
Unfortunately this cutting edge law is now under attack, at risk of carve-outs and exemptions. We ask that the legislature, Governor Walz and Commissioner Kessler hold firm and reject any exemptions, carve outs or delays for Amara’s Law.
Please join the Alliance for Sustainability in sending Clean Water Action MN’s message to your lawmakers today to preserve Amara’s Law and protect the health of our communities.
Take Action: Stop Trump’s Firing of Inspector Generals Doing Oversight of Federal Agencies
By Joe Parmigiani, Alliance Intern at Dartmouth College ‘28
Across the federal government, President Trump has fired at least 17 Inspectors General (IGs) across 18 agencies, effectively destroying independent, nonpartisan oversight of all agency decisions.
You might wonder why should I care? IGs perform an essential role in stopping government abuse by Democrats and Republicans. They assure that laws passed by Congress are carried out with integrity.
IGs assure accountability by acting independently of politics and agency heads to investigate corruption, fraud and abuse and report to Congress. They also protect whistleblowers who come forward with information about misconduct within an agency. Without them, there are few guardrails to protect our democracy.
Trump’s firing of the IGs is a violation of our laws as they were passed by Congress. The Inspector General Act of 1978 provides that the President may remove an IG, but states, “If an Inspector General is removed from office…the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer.”
Because Trump failed to provide the 30-day notice and justification as required by law, it appears the action is illegal. Those fired should be reinstated immediately.
Trump even fired the Interior Department IG Mark Greenblatt, who he appointed five years ago. Greenblatt told the NY Times: “This raises an existential threat with respect to the primary independent oversight function in the federal government. We have preserved the independence of inspectors general by making them not swing with every change in political party.”
This really matters for sustainability. For example, the IG of the EPA has investigated and taken the agency to task for permitting harmful pesticide use and endocrine disrupting chemicals, while not protecting workers’ rights, as pointed out by Beyond Pesticides.
We need you to take action on a topic that may seem in the weeds, but is essential to sustainability and the proper functioning of our democracy. Please join the Alliance in sending Beyond Pesticides’ letter to put pressure on your members of Congress to address this unacceptable situation and assure nonpartisan oversight.
Forever Chemicals, Forever Harm — Act Now to Protect Our Water
By Katie Block, Alliance Intern at Wellesley College ‘25
PFAS chemicals, often called “forever chemicals,” are a hidden menace in our water systems. For decades, industrial polluters have released these dangerous substances into the environment, contaminating drinking water and ecosystems. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to cancer, immune system suppression and reproductive harm, and the EPA is only now beginning to address the problem. With millions of Americans at risk, we must quickly demand stronger regulations to protect public health.
Regulating industrial PFAS emissions is a critical step toward solving this crisis. By targeting pollution at its source, the EPA can help reduce contamination in our drinking water and protect vulnerable communities. This solution holds polluters accountable while safeguarding future generations. Join us in signing Earthjustice’s petition to demand action now.