Environmental News

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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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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. 
Coral reefs can't keep up with climate change. So scientists are speeding up evolution
Climate change is heating oceans faster than the world's coral reefs can handle. So scientists are breeding corals that can withstand hotter temperatures — but only to a point.
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.
Local governments look to state to help foot PFAS bill
The Environmental Protection Agency set enforceable drinking water standards for so-called “forever chemicals” last week. Several Minnesota communities impacted by high levels of PFAS are asking the state to help pay for remedies.