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.

Greenpeace faces a $300 million lawsuit after Dakota Access Pipeline protests
The company behind the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline is suing Greenpeace for at least $300 million for damages the oil pipeline company says it suffered from protests in 2016 and 2017.
State DNR and U of M partner for elk research project beginning in March
This project is only the second of its kind in Minnesota. This study is more comprehensive than the first, held between 2016-2018, when only adult cows were studied. This new study will include data from bulls, cows and calves. 
Experts foresee negative ripple effects in termination of USDA scientists in St. Paul lab
A team at the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Cereal Disease Lab in St. Paul got notice last week that some of their jobs were getting cut. Experts warn that cutting jobs in this area will harm research and potentially affect the prices of wheat, barley and oats.
As helium prices balloon, hopes rise that northeast Minnesota has big deposit of the gas
Pulsar Helium is conducting exploratory drilling in northern Minnesota, hoping to confirm a profitable deposit of helium, a valuable gas used to make products from party balloons to semiconductor chips.
Hong Kong residents compete to name twin panda cubs who just turned 6 months old
Panda craze has once again gripped Hong Kong as residents compete to name the territory’s first locally-born giant panda cubs who just turned six months old. The competition launched Saturday following a celebratory ceremony at Ocean Park which houses the twins, their parents and two other giant pandas.
Minnesota lawmaker wants statewide ban on new billboard signs
Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, said the signs detract from the state's natural scenic beauty and pose a safety concern for motorists. Billboard companies say the bill would hurt local businesses and curtail First Amendment rights.