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.

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Climate Cast

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

Congress votes to reinstate methane rules loosened by Trump
Congressional Democrats have approved a measure reinstating rules aimed at limiting climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas drilling, a rare effort by Democrats to use the legislative branch to overturn a regulatory rollback under President Donald Trump.
Xcel Energy changes course, new plan does not include Becker gas plant
Bowing to calls to speed up its transition away from fossil fuels, Xcel Energy is proposing a new energy plan for the next 15 years that does not include building a controversial new natural gas plant in Becker.
Opinions plentiful on Xcel’s plan to cut coal, add natural gas
Advocacy organizations, state agencies, counties, cities and residents have weighed in with strong opinions on the resource plan, which requires approval by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
Minnesota crops showing drought stress at a crucial time
Conditions are dry all across Minnesota. Severe drought is spreading into the northwest and south. Crops are showing signs of stress, and without widespread rains over the next few weeks, crops will continue to deteriorate.
Are 'false springs' getting more extreme?
A drastic “false spring” in France this year caused an estimated $2 billion in damage to vineyards. Can the region — and ours — expect more of these late winter temperature swings?
Line 3 foes worry increased pumping could threaten Minn. water
An amended dewatering permit allows Enbridge Energy, the company building the new pipeline along a new route in northern Minnesota, to temporarily pump about 10 times more shallow groundwater from the construction area than it had originally planned.
Honey bees are still dying at high rates
Honey bee mortality continues at high rates according to a recent survey. The 15th annual honey bee loss survey by the Bee Informed Partnership found overall honey bee mortality nationwide the second highest since the survey began.
The science of carbon banking: Explained
The idea behind carbon banking is that, by changing farming practices, farmers can store carbon in the soil, helping to reduce carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere and slow global warming. But it’s complicated, and understanding the science is important.