Minnesota Statewide Media Project
Citizen's Climate Lobby
Embedded Files
Background
Background
Beginning in 2021 with our first Minnesota Statewide LTE Project, this website has been a useful tool for new and experienced volunteers wanting to engage in media efforts to support CCL's climate solutions. Here you will find a wealth of information to assist writers of letters to the editor (LTEs) and op-eds, as well as links to get started with social media and working directly with media outlets.
Recent CCL MN Media Successes!
Recent CCL MN Media Successes!
Citizens Addressing our Changing Climate: Minnesota families need lower energy prices. Op-ed by Linda Kingery, Bemidji Pioneer, 3/11/2026.
Romantic cruise marred by coal dock’s reminder of corruption. Op ed by Eric Enberg, Duluth News Tribune, 3/4/2026.
Families urgently need reliable, affordable clean energy. Op-Ed by Holly Swiglo, Park Bugle, 2/28/2026.
Citizens Addressing our Changing Climate: I to the Power of We. Op-Ed by Polly Merhar, Bemidji Pioneer, 2/11/2026.
Lift Minnesota's nuclear power ban. LTE by William A. Smithson, Rochester Post Bulletin, 2/7/2026.
What about the deep freeze?. Op-ed by Beth Monke, Fergus Falls Daily Journal, 2/6/2026.
Don't see your recent media item here? Contact the CCL MN State Media Manager.
Project Goals
Project Goals
Be a "one-stop shop" for writing LTEs and op-eds on climate in Minnesota
Provide resources for engaging in social media and working directly with media outlets (working with climate journalists, pitching news stories, writing press releases, interviews)
Build political will in Minnesota for climate solutions favored by Citizens' Climate Lobby
Raise awareness of the Citizens' Climate Lobby and attract new volunteers
Want to learn more? Connect with the CCL Minnesota Statewide Media Manager
Ready to Write a Letter to the Editor?
Ready to Write a Letter to the Editor?
Decide on your topic. See Citizens' Climate Lobby's LTE Topics and Hot Topics below for an updated list of timely topics and current CCL media priorities.
Decide on a newspaper for your LTE. It can be a print publication, a newspaper that has both print and online editions, or an online-only newspaper. See our Finding Minnesota Newspapers section for help if needed.
Write your letter. See LTE/Op-Ed Resources for tips to write effective LTEs and examples of published LTEs. Pay attention to editor guidelines for LTEs (deadlines, maximum words, residency guidelines).
Submit your letter. You can submit LTEs to more than one newspaper at once; for op-eds submit only one at a time.
If your letter is published--CONGRATULATIONS! Be sure to record your LTE in the Action Tracker on the CCL Community website.
Current CCL Media Priorities
Current CCL Media Priorities
Recommended this month: Permitting Reform, Conservative Voices, Earth Day
Recommended this month: Permitting Reform, Conservative Voices, Earth Day
Permitting Reform
Our media work right now builds on the momentum and active, bipartisan discussion happening in Congress around permitting reform. If you haven’t already, please download, customize and and submit our latest permitting reform op-ed template to make the case for why your members of Congress should prioritize modernizing the permitting process. Please keep the LTEs on this topic flowing too!
Engaging Conservative Voices
With the Conservative Conference coming up next month, this is an important opportunity to elevate right-of-center climate voices.
If you are conservative, or have a conservative volunteer on your team, consider:
Writing about the conference and your upcoming lobby meetings with Republican MOCs.
Submitting LTEs emphasizing conservative leadership on clean energy and permitting reform.
Pitching stories about conservatives in your state advancing climate solutions.
Our conservative voices are essential to amplifying bipartisan credibility. When Republican and right-of-center messengers speak publicly about climate and energy solutions, it shifts the narrative in powerful ways.
Earth Day: Media-Friendly Moments
Earth Day planning is underway in multiple states, including walk-and-talk events with members of Congress, tabling at museums and ski resorts, and creative public-facing activities.
As you plan:
Think visually and locally—walks, drop-offs, site visits, and community actions make strong photo opportunities to accompany your media outreach. Take photos and post on social media.
Write LTEs/op-eds about mentioning Earth Day, CCL activities, and include cclusa.org.
At the State Level
At the State Level
New report shows Minnesota's electric grid at high risk of future power shortages. You could write about the need to lift the nuclear moratorium in MN to reduce the risk of power shortages.
Thanks to our Media HEROES!
Thanks to our Media HEROES!
Daniel Botz • Mark Cannon • Cheryl Campbell • Richard Dahl • Roger Day • Claudia Egelhoff • Dave Ellison • Ronald Erickson • Pat Fettes • Erika Gilsdorf • Katya Gordon • Ed Hahn • Margie Hake • Mary Haltvick • Laura Haule • Dave Homans • Linda Kingery • B.W. Knapp • Earl Knutson and the Willmar Area Climate Action Group • Alison McAghon • Polly Merhar • Janet Mitchell • Beth Monke • Michael Overend • Charlie Parson • Brian Singer-Towns • William A. Smithson • Robert Tereba • Judith Thimke • Paul Thompson • Mark Wasson • Patrick Welle • Susan Wehrenberg • Howard White • MN West Suburbs Chapter
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