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.

From crisis to care: How animal hoarding is straining Minnesota shelters and spotlighting mental health
As animal hoarding cases surge in Minnesota, rescue shelters and volunteers rally to provide care, sparking conversations on mental health challenges.
EPA designates 2 forever chemicals as hazardous substances, eligible for Superfund cleanup
The Environmental Protection Agency has designated two forever chemicals used in cookware, carpets and firefighting foams as hazardous substances. Friday’s action is intended to ensure quicker cleanup of the toxic compounds and require those responsible for contamination to pay for its removal.
Expert: Large scale PFAS removal will take ingenuity, deep pockets
University of Minnesota Environmental Health Sciences Professor Matt Simcik and All Things Considered Host Tom Crann, discussed the new federal limits on PFAS chemicals in drinking water.
St. Paul iron foundry faces deadline to fix pollution
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says recent emission records from Northern Iron and Machine Foundry in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood indicate excessive pollution. Regulators say it is “highly likely” that the foundry is emitting levels of lead and particulate matter over federal air quality standards. 
St. Paul City Council votes unanimously to boost EV-readiness
The St. Paul City Council unanimously passed a zoning proposal Wednesday that aims to prepare new surface parking lots for a future with more electric vehicles. The proposal says new surface parking lots with more than 15 spots would have to be EV capable.
Ramsey County covers transportation, buildings, land use in new Climate Equity Action Plan
On Tuesday afternoon Ramsey County is formally adopting its Climate Equity Action Plan, which was finalized earlier this spring. It includes a list of goals meant to help reduce the county’s role in creating greenhouse gases and help it adapt to the impacts of climate change.