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.

Minnesota nickel mine brings environmental promise, but also concerns
Talon Metals is expected to soon submit plans to build an underground nickel mine outside the town of Tamarack, Minn., with the goal of supplying metals to build electric vehicle batteries. But skepticism over whether the company can mine safely persists. 
Boundary Waters wildfire may have been human caused
Fire investigators have determined that the wildfire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area that started on Tuesday may have been started by a human cause.
Judge gives Enbridge 3 years to close oil pipeline on tribal land in Wisconsin
A federal judge has given Enbridge three years to shut down a section of an oil and gas pipeline that crosses reservation land. The judge also ordered the energy company to pay a Native American tribe more than $5 million for trespassing.
In some fights over solar, it's environmentalist vs. environmentalist
The U.S. needs a lot more renewable energy to meet its climate goals. In some communities, the opposition to large solar projects comes from environmentalists themselves.
As air clears, thousands of runners head to Duluth for Grandma's Marathon
About 20,000 people will be running in Duluth this weekend for Grandma’s Marathon and its associated races. Organizers said they’ve been monitoring air quality — and are not expecting any issues for this year’s events.
As smoky skies clear, experts say Minnesotans should prepare for more bad air
After Wednesday’s thick, choking smoke, air conditions improved significantly on Thursday across Minnesota. But forecasters say we should expect more air quality issues through the summer, and experts say there are things you can do to reduce the risk to your health.
Here's how breathing bad air affects you, and how to protect your health
MPR News host Cathy Wurzer speaks with Mayo Clinic Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn about the short- and long-term health impacts of breathing wildfire smoke. MPR Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard has the latest forecast.