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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A giant organic farm faces criticism that it's harming the environment
A huge organic farm that's backed by the company General Mills is facing accusations that it's doing more environmental harm than good. It shows the difficulties of delivering on green promises.
EPA moves to cut a powerful greenhouse gas
The EPA plans to phase out hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, which are used in refrigerators and air conditioners. When HFCs are released into the atmosphere, they are extremely good at trapping heat.
Wyoming backs coal with $1.2M threat to sue other states
While most states pursue ways to boost renewable energy, Wyoming is doing the opposite with a new program aimed at propping up the dwindling coal industry by suing other states that block exports of Wyoming coal and cause Wyoming coal-fired power plants to shut down.
Got mud? For coastal cities, humble dirt has become a hot commodity
Coastal communities will need massive amounts of mud and dirt to protect their shorelines from rising seas. One federal agency has it — but most is disposed of, instead of reused.
Climate change risks mounting for businesses
From litigation to financial and material loss due to extreme weather — the corporate world is managing mounting risks due to climate change.
State utility regulators dismiss calls for Line 3 investigation
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has unanimously rejected a complaint and request for an investigation from an environmental group that argued Enbridge Energy’s pipeline replacement project is no longer needed because of recent capacity increases the company has made to its pipeline system. 
Senate votes to reinstate methane rules loosened by Trump
Congressional Democrats are moving to reinstate regulations designed to limit potent greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas fields. It's part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to combat climate change.
Both sides claim victory in complicated PolyMet court ruling
Both sides claimed victory Wednesday after the state Supreme Court issued a complex ruling over state permits for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota. The justices affirmed a lower court’s decision to reverse the critical “permit to mine” for the $1 billion project.
Pandemic-fueled surge in visitation to BWCA expected to continue this year
More than 165,000 people visited the Boundary Waters last year — a 16 percent jump over the previous year — as people sought refuge in the isolated wilderness from the COVID-19 pandemic. Outfitters say early reservations suggest this summer could be even busier.