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.

What to know about data centers in Minnesota
Mega data centers are being proposed across Minnesota. But they use a lot of water and electricity. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert and her guests talk about why these projects are creating so much debate and what you need to know.
The muddy remains of Minnesota's Lake Alice
Eleven-year-old Levi Caucutt loved to fish on Lake Alice at William O’Brien State Park. When he arrived on Saturday with his parents and older sister, he found mud instead.
Lawsuit challenges Pine Island’s scrutiny of data center
The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy argues the city’s review lacks basic details, including potential impacts of its water and energy use. MCEA has also recently challenged reviews of data centers in Lakeville, North Mankato and Faribault.
Report: Corn fertilizer is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions
A new report from the Environmental Working Group shows the use of nitrogen fertilizer to grow corn year after year on the same land results in a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe sues 3M, other companies over 'forever chemicals' contamination
The lawsuit says the band's testing found "alarming" levels of PFAS in lake water, fish and deer on the Leech Lake Reservation. Tribal members depend on hunting, fishing and cultivating wild rice for food, and for cultural and religious practices.
Dispute over green cemetery heads to court amid growing interest in natural burials
Neighbors to the 20-acre rural site have raised concerns about water quality and animals digging up the bodies. The proposed developers say opposition is based on fears that are unfounded and say they haven’t been treated fairly.
Report: Minnesota saw strong growth in clean energy jobs last year, but slowdown expected
The latest report from Clean Energy Economy Minnesota estimates the number of clean energy jobs in the state grew to almost 64,000 in 2024 — although federal policy shifts could mean a slowdown is ahead.