These 2 countries embraced nuclear power. Here’s what they can teach Minnesota
Minnesota and the U.S. as a whole could learn from Canada and other countries that have leaned into nuclear power in the transition away from fossil fuels.
Environment
Nuclear at a Crossroads: Does nuclear power stand a chance in Minnesota amid a moratorium and carbon-free mandate?
By 2040, all of the state’s power must come from carbon-free sources. Solar, hydro, and wind generation are being deployed at break-neck speed, but there’s one black sheep in the carbon-free family: nuclear power.
How USDA’s ‘climate-smart’ agriculture programs are spending federal dollars, raising questions
In all, more than 60,000 farms and 25 million acres of crop and rangeland are involved, with spending reaching all 50 states and Puerto Rico, according to the USDA.
Mississippi River mayors rally for a compact to protect the waterway
At the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative’s (MRCTI) annual meeting this week in Bemidji, Minnesota, about 30 mayors unanimously voted in favor of pursuing a compact that would span more than 2,300 miles of river.
On ‘Cancer Road,’ a group of southeastern Minnesota families ask if nitrate exposure is to blame
The amount of nitrogen applied to U.S. corn crops has increased 120 million pounds annually since 2000, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Beef guzzlers: 12% of Americans eat half of the country’s cow meat
Changing the habits of this small group could go a long way toward cutting the country’s planet-warming emissions.
Minnesota program helps manufacturers train their teams for an all-electric future
Beyond engineering and production, a wide range of employees need to be able to “talk the lingo” of electrification, one executive says.
Applying lessons from Puerto Rico’s climate challenges to Minnesota
In 2017, Puerto Rico experienced two major hurricanes; Irma and Maria. On the trip, the group from Minnesota visited the town of Comerío, one of the many places impacted by Maria.
Has the Biden administration invested more in clean energy in red states than blue states?
Yes. Two August 2023 reports say the Biden administration has directed more Inflation Reduction Act climate change resources to so-called red states — those controlled by Republicans — than blue states, those run by Democrats.
In northern Minnesota, early adopters make the case for cold-climate heat pumps
While still a niche, utilities, contractors, and advocates expect the technology to take off as more incentives become available and more people become familiar with what it can do.
Why e-bike companies are embracing recycling while fighting repair
Fires are bringing additional scrutiny and regulation to e-bikes and are having an unexpected impact on conversations about the right to repair a bicycle.
Mississippi’s low water flow likely reason for smaller Gulf of Mexico ‘dead zone’ this year, but it’s still huge
The size is smaller than predicted at the beginning of the summer, but is larger than the target goal set by the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force.
Cities like Moorhead are planning for more extreme weather. Lawmakers approved $100 million to help
A small MPCA grant program is undergoing a massive expansion. It’s one of the biggest environmental and climate initiatives at the Legislature this year, and will help local and tribal governments prepare for increasingly extreme weather.
The Mississippi River’s floodplain forests are dying. The race is on to bring them back.
Floodplain forests generally withstand flooding, which happens on the Mississippi every year. In the last few decades, though, they’ve been swamped with high water from long-lasting floods, soaking the trees more than they can stand and causing mass die-offs.
‘Secrecy is unacceptable.’ Minnesota Supreme Court reverses NewRange mining permit after regulators shield federal criticisms
With Wednesday’s ruling, the Supreme Court sent the crucial permit for the NewRange mine, formerly PolyMet, back to the MPCA. The agency will have to give the EPA a chance to weigh in, this time in a more formal and public manner.
New maps show where Minnesota businesses might need environmental justice analysis under law
The final product only applies to projects inside, or within a mile of, environmental justice areas in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area, Rochester and Duluth. But the definition of an environmental justice area is expansive enough to cover the vast majority of those regions.
Revamp coming to some of the Superior Hiking Trail’s most loved — and busiest — routes
Plans are afoot to revamp and reinforce parts of the trail’s Bean and Bear section and two other popular loop hikes. Minnesota lawmakers this year approved $565,000 for the work, which comes as the trail’s association works to better understand ‘hot spots’ on the 300+ mile route.
Does Minnesota law mandate that the state exclusively use wind and solar power?
No. Minnesota’s climate legislation plans out a goal for a 100% carbon-free electricity standard by 2040. This includes wind, solar, hydroelectric and nuclear sources of energy.
Competition could be fierce for Minnesota’s new EV rebate. Here’s how it works
The Minnesota Department of Commerce has not yet launched the program for doling out rebate money. But for now, here is what we know about the EV rebates and who can get them.
