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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.

Lawsuits challenge EPA over MN iron plant

Two lawsuits are seeking to overturn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's decision to grant a water quality variance to the Mesabi Nugget iron processing plant near Hoyt Lakes, saying regulators violated the Clean Water Act and other federal laws when they approved it late last year.
by Dan Kraker

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Experts warn of stress on prairie lands

The director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says there's a "crisis on the prairie" as demand for energy and other goods put pressure on the land.

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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at National Press Club

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at National Press Club

Secretary of Agriculture and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack speaks at the National Press Club about the trillion dollar farm bill pending in Congress and the condition of the US agriculture system and food supply.

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Report: Minnesota a Top 10 clean energy state

Report: Minnesota a Top 10 clean energy state

Minnesota ranked 9th in the report by Clean Edge, which does research and analysis on everything from renewable energy to technology investment to energy policies.
by Elizabeth Dunbar

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Gov. Quinn open to Great Lakes-Mississippi split

Gov. Quinn open to Great Lakes-Mississippi split

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said Saturday that separating the Great Lakes and Mississippi River systems is the "ultimate solution" to prevent voracious Asian carp from overrunning the lakes, a potential step toward resolving a longstanding regional feud.

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Lake Superior level rises fast

Lake Superior level rises fast

A new report says the level of Lake Superior has made a big jump.

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Moose research confirms high mortality for calves

Moose research confirms high mortality for calves

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources captured 49 moose calves and fitted them with GPS transmitter collars. Within days of finishing their work, 22 of the newborns already had died.

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Copper-nickel mining divides Ely residents

Copper-nickel mining divides Ely residents

The polarizing divide over the future of mining around Ely will be on display this weekend, when an anti-mining group opens shop on the canoeing mecca's main drag. The new center will encourage tourists to take action against proposed copper-nickel mines in the region. Organizers see mining as a major environmental threat, but many in town believe it can be done safely and jumpstart the economy.
by Dan Kraker

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Zebra mussels found in Itasca county lakes

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed finding zebra mussels in two lakes in Itasca county.
by Rupa Shenoy

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Debate over the future of fossil fuels and pipelines

Debate over the future of fossil fuels and pipelines

From the Climate One series at the Commonwealth Club of California, four experts discuss the controversy over the Keystone XL pipeline and the Canadian tar sands. What do the pipelines mean for Canada and the United States? What is the climate impact of continued use of fossil fuels?

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