Getting to Green: Minnesota's energy future

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Minnesota officials have set an ambitious goal for the state to be carbon-neutral by 2050.

Getting there will require generating our electricity from clean sources such as wind and solar, and electrifying vehicles, homes, office buildings, factories and farms that currently rely on fossil fuels.

Getting to Green: Minnesota’s energy future is a MPR News series digging deep into stories of the clean energy transition — and the opportunities and obstacles to reach that milestone.

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Growing power line needs generate new friction in Minnesota’s clean energy shift
Moving solar and wind energy from where it’s produced to where it’s needed means a major buildout of new transmission lines, but the projects often face pushback from landowners concerned about aesthetics, health and the environment.
How could Minnesota become carbon-free? New MPR News series dives in
On Tuesday mornings, our reporters will be exploring the opportunities — but also the challenges — the state faces as it moves away from fossil fuels and toward more climate-friendly energy sources.
Minnesota nickel mine brings environmental promise, but also concerns
Talon Metals is expected to soon submit plans to build an underground nickel mine outside the town of Tamarack, Minn., with the goal of supplying metals to build electric vehicle batteries. But skepticism over whether the company can mine safely persists. 
In some fights over solar, it's environmentalist vs. environmentalist
The U.S. needs a lot more renewable energy to meet its climate goals. In some communities, the opposition to large solar projects comes from environmentalists themselves.
‘Rusty’ batteries could hold key to Minnesota's carbon-free power future
Two Minnesota utilities plan to install iron-air battery storage systems as they transition to clean energy sources. The batteries are made of iron, an element that’s abundant around the world — including in Minnesota.
Minnesota's carbon-free electricity bill: 8 questions, answered
The measure that sets ambitious standards for clean energy in Minnesota over the next 17 years cleared its final legislative hurdle late Thursday night, and is headed to Gov. Tim Walz for his signature.