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Environmental News

MPR News is your source for environment news from Minnesota and across the country.

Getting to Green: Minnesota’s energy future

Getting to Green is an MPR News series that shares stories about Minnesota’s clean energy transition, including what needs to be done to get there.

Submit a question or story for Getting to Green here.

Climate Cast

Listen to Climate Cast, the MPR News podcast all about our changing climate and its impact in Minnesota and worldwide.

Feds sue BP, other companies in Gulf oil spill

Feds sue BP, other companies in Gulf oil spill

The Justice Department has sued BP Exploration and Production Inc. and eight other companies in the Gulf oil spill disaster in an effort to recover billions of dollars from the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history.

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Scientists: It's not too late yet for polar bears

Scientists: It's not too late yet for polar bears

Two groups of scientists are suggesting a sliver of hope for the future of polar bears in a warming world.

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Ethanol subsidies in tax deal

The Senate is due to vote Wednesday on the controversial deal to extend tax cuts and unemployment benefits that both due to expire soon. Minnesota's U.S. Senators and others successfully pushed to add into that bill an extension of ethanol subsidies. Minnesota is the country's fourth largest producer of ethanol. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Mike Jerke, the general manager of Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Moderately bad air headed to Twin Cities

If the snow and cold aren't enough of a nuisance, the weather is about to deliver a few days with deteriorating air quality in the Twin Cities.
by Stephanie Hemphill

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Feds plan to remove Great Lakes wolf designation

The federal government plans another attempt to remove gray wolves in the Great Lakes region from the endangered species list.

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What's next for the environmental movement?

What's next for the environmental movement?

The Cancun Climate Change Conference has received little attention, and efforts to pass a cap and trade bill through Congress appear to be dormant. Meanwhile, recent polling has shown climate change to be low on people's list of concerns. Has the moment for action on climate change passed?

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Minnesota and N. Dakota fighting over carbon costs

Minnesota and North Dakota are at odds over the environmental costs of generating electricity. The dispute could end up in court, and it's not the first time the two states squared off over this issue.
by Cathy Wurzer and Dan Gunderson

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Supreme Court agrees to hear greenhouse gas case

Supreme Court agrees to hear greenhouse gas case

Several states and conservation organizations are trying to force utilities, including Xcel Energy, to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from their coal-fired power plants.
by Stephanie Hemphill

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Controversial gravel pit plan up for vote in Scandia

A controversial plan to re-open an old gravel pit near the St. Croix River comes up for a vote Tuesday night by the Scandia City Council.
by Stephanie Hemphill

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