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 hastens to regulate helium mining after deposit discovery near Babbitt
Minnesota is scrambling to figure out how to regulate a potential new industry — one discovered by accident — that is both extremely valuable and in demand.
Biden set an ambitious new climate goal. Will it still matter under Trump?
The Biden administration set a new climate goal for the U.S. The White House argues states, cities and corporations will continue the work, even as Trump plans to exit the Paris climate agreement.
Global warming can’t be ignored, Montana’s top court says, upholding landmark climate case
Montana’s Supreme Court has upheld a landmark climate ruling that said the state was violating residents’ constitutional right to a clean environment by permitting oil, gas and coal projects without regard for global warming.
Impacts of Rapidan Dam breach on Minnesota likely to be long-lasting
Six months after the Blue Earth River carved its way around the Rapidan Dam near Mankato, the surrounding community is still coming to terms with the damage and its longer-term implications. Sediment levels in the river remain high, and a nearby bridge is now being replaced.
CWD discovered for 1st time in western Minnesota
A sample taken from a wild adult buck during the opening weekend of this year’s firearms season tested positive for chronic wasting disease. The always-fatal condition has never been detected in that area of the state.
Minneapolis winter bird count delivers thrills on the wing
Birders by the dozens headed outdoors Sunday for the third Minneapolis West Circle Winter Bird Count. While totals are still being tallied, the joy of birding and community was abundant, along with rare finds like the long-eared owl.
Enbridge pipeline spills 70,000 gallons of oil in Wisconsin
Officials say roughly 70,000 gallons of oil from a pipeline spilled into the ground in Wisconsin. The problem was discovered Nov. 11 in Jefferson County, 60 miles west of Milwaukee, by an Enbridge Energy technician.