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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The Wisconsin Supreme Court dealt a blow to environmentalists concerned about water pollution from huge livestock farms when it said communities could not set stricter standards than the state.
The future of zoos
The recent flooding at the Duluth zoo and numerous dolphin deaths at the Minnesota Zoo made us think about the issues surrounding animals in captivity. Is it ethical? And what is the purpose of zoos today?
Study investigating fracking's effects on drinking water
A new study being done by the Department of Energy may provide some of the first solid answers to a controversial question: Can gas drilling fluids migrate and pose a threat to drinking water?
Western states seek help fighting mussel scourge
Regional energy planners for four Western states are asking Congress for help building a stronger line of defense against invasive mussels that are clogging Colorado River reservoirs.
The recent heat wave is blamed for killing thousands of fish in several southern Minnesota lakes.
Global warming tied to risk of weather extremes
Last year brought a record heat wave to Texas, massive floods in Bangkok and an unusually warm November in England. How much has global warming boosted the chances of events like that?
Minnesota farmers may be protected from state chemical runoff regulations if they take part in a joint federal-state pilot program certification program that could be in place by the winter.