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.

Submit a question or story for Getting to Green here.

Climate Cast

Listen to Climate Cast, the MPR News podcast all about our changing climate and its impact in Minnesota and worldwide.

Getting to Green: Can Minnesota get to carbon-free energy?
To slow a warming climate, Minnesotans would need to heat homes, travel and power factories without burning fossil fuels. MPR News correspondents Dan Kraker and Kirsti Marohn talk about what the shift to green power could look like under President Donald Trump.
South Dakota law raises questions about future of massive Midwest pipeline
A new law in South Dakota prohibiting the use of eminent domain to acquire land for carbon capture pipelines challenges the viability of a proposed project snaking through five Midwest states.
New fines and awareness help reduce litter on Minnesota lakes, but advocates want more action
Lake advocates say a recent state law is helping curb the problem of trash left on Minnesota’s frozen lakes. But they're hoping for more action, including passage of a bill requiring state agencies establish a statewide “Keep It Clean” program and provide funding for local cleanup efforts.
Drone surveys help scientists understand impact of Rapidan Dam ‘avulsive failure’
Documenting and researching this type of dam failure is a way for researchers to help get data out to public officials and respond in case something like this were to happen again in another place.
Amazon data center planned for Minnesota sparks environmental debate
Minnesota’s rules on power consumption are being put to the test after a clash with the tech giant Amazon. The company has plans to build a data center in Becker, Minnesota. State utility regulators pumped the breaks.