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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.

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.

High water wreaks havoc on Great Lakes, swamping communities

High water wreaks havoc on Great Lakes, swamping communities

The five inland seas are bursting at the seams during the region's wettest period in more than a century, which scientists say is likely connected to the warming climate. And no relief is in sight. Meanwhile, the toll is extensive: accelerated erosion; homes and businesses flooded; roads and sidewalks crumbled; beaches washed away; parks rendered unusable.
by The Associated Press

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Some Midwest farmers see hope in Democrats' climate platforms

Some Midwest farmers see hope in Democrats' climate platforms

A small group of farmers in Iowa believe they’ve influenced the field of Democratic presidential candidates to focus more on climate change and how agriculture can be part of the solution to global warming.
by Cody Nelson

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Bumblebees are disappearing because of extreme heat

Bumblebees are disappearing because of extreme heat

New research shows that climate change and habitat loss are causing widespread decline among bumblebees in North America and Europe — and putting ecosystems that depend on these pollinators at risk.
by Lauren Sommer

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MN students were in Puerto Rico learning about energy resilience when a quake knocked the power out

MN students were in Puerto Rico learning about energy resilience when a quake knocked the power out

The students got a front-row seat to the kind of scenarios they’ll be planning for as future regional planners and civic leaders. The frequency and intensity of disasters such as storms, fires and flooding are expected to worsen under climate change.
by Megan Burks and Paul Huttner

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Bill to ban copper-nickel mining draws sharp contrast between Boundary Waters, Iron Range

Bill to ban copper-nickel mining draws sharp contrast between Boundary Waters, Iron Range

A bill that would ban copper-nickel mining on about 234,000 acres of the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota had its first Congressional hearing Wednesday. The debate highlighted what two unique places, so close together — the Iron Range and the Boundary Waters — mean to different people.
by Dan Kraker

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Climate One series: John Browne on engineering the future

Climate One series: John Browne on engineering the future

For the Climate One series, Greg Dalton interviews John Browne about his book, “Make, Think, Imagine: Engineering the Future of Civilization.”

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In second Line 3 approval, state regulators take up safety, spills — and climate change

In second Line 3 approval, state regulators take up safety, spills — and climate change

Minnesota utility regulators have once again given their blessing to Line 3, the oil pipeline replacement project Enbridge Energy has proposed for northern Minnesota — but not before having a sometimes heated discussion about the project's impact on climate change.
by Dan Kraker

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Minnesota utility regulators give key approvals to Line 3 pipeline project

Minnesota utility regulators give key approvals to Line 3 pipeline project

Months after a court decision threw its future into question, the Line 3 pipeline replacement project is moving closer to regaining the permits it needs to begin construction.
by Dan Kraker

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For state utility regulators, it’s Line 3 all over again

For state utility regulators, it’s Line 3 all over again

More than a year and a half after regulators at the state Public Utilities Commission first approved the oil pipeline replacement project, they’re being asked to consider it again. A state court overturned the project's environmental review last summer, and the PUC now has to decide whether to approve a revised assessment.
by Dan Kraker

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