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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.

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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.

Minnesota may miss greenhouse gas emission goals

Minnesota may miss greenhouse gas emission goals

Minnesota is not on track to meet its goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions linked to climate change, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reported Thursday.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder charged in Flint water crisis

Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder charged in Flint water crisis

At least a dozen people died and more than 80 people fell ill after untreated water from the Flint River caused lead to leach from old pipes, poisoning the water system city residents relied on.
by Brakkton Booker

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Michigan plans to charge ex-Gov. Snyder in Flint water probe

Michigan plans to charge ex-Gov. Snyder in Flint water probe

Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, his health director and other ex-officials have been told they’re being charged after a new investigation of the Flint water scandal, which devastated the majority Black city with lead-contaminated water and was blamed for a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in 2014-15, The Associated Press has learned.
by The Associated Press

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Minnesota Power plans to retire Cohasset coal plant, go carbon-free by 2050

Minnesota Power plans to retire Cohasset coal plant, go carbon-free by 2050

The Duluth-based company is the second major utility in Minnesota to announce a goal of producing all its electricity from carbon-free sources by midcentury, following Xcel Energy, which was the first utility in the country to make the pledge in late 2018.
by Dan Kraker

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Scientists decry death by 1,000 cuts for world's insects

Scientists decry death by 1,000 cuts for world's insects

Scientists worry that the world is losing about 1 or 2 percent of its insects each year. They say climate change, insecticides, herbicide, land use changes, invasive species and light pollution are killing the world's bugs.
by The Associated Press

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Report: Minnesota air quality good — but not for everyone

Report: Minnesota air quality good — but not for everyone

A new report says Minnesota's air quality is good overall, but isn't the same in all parts of the state. It finds people in some areas experience pollution levels high enough to affect the health of children, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. 
by Kirsti Marohn

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Protesters gather at Line 3 construction site in Aitkin County

Protesters gather at Line 3 construction site in Aitkin County

Opponents of the Line 3 oil pipeline replacement project gathered Saturday in northern Minnesota to protest its construction across northern Minnesota. Eight people were arrested after blocking traffic on a highway.
by Kirsti Marohn

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What to expect from NOAA under the Biden administration

What to expect from NOAA under the Biden administration

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s focus on weather forecasting and climate science is likely to be a high priority under President-elect Joe Biden
by Paul Huttner

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Trump administration scales back wild bird protections

Trump administration scales back wild bird protections

The Trump administration finalized changes to a century-old law protecting most American wild bird species, despite warnings that billions of birds could die as a result.
by The Associated Press

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Trump EPA erects new barriers to crucial science

Trump EPA erects new barriers to crucial science

Studies based on private health data are crucial to understanding dangers posed by pollution. A new rule makes it harder for the EPA to consider many studies when setting safeguards.
by Rebecca Hersher

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