Play3min 30secWithout climate legislation, carbon market collapsesDecember 21, 2010 3:00 AMBy Dan GundersonFarmers in our region are losing a cash crop. Until recently farmers who employ environmentally friendly tillage practices could sell carbon credits. When Congress failed to pass legislation to regulate greenhouse gases, the carbon market collapsed.
Play3min 41secNew rules on greenhouse gases could strain impacted industriesDecember 20, 2010 3:00 PMBy Stephanie HemphillIn a change that could bring challenges to Minnesota's mining industry, utilities, refineries and paper mills, large industries that emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases will soon need to obtain permits from the federal government.
US gas demand should fall for good after '06 peakDecember 20, 2010 1:36 PMAfter seven decades of mostly uninterrupted growth, U.S. gasoline demand is at the start of a long-term decline. By 2030, Americans will burn at least 20 percent less gasoline than today, experts say, even as millions of more cars clog the roads.
Environmental group: MPCA fined few permit violatorsDecember 20, 2010 12:04 PMBy Stephanie HemphillAn environmental group studied water permits for a five-year period, and found that two-thirds of industrial facilities and wastewater treatment plants violated their permits, but the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency only fined 11 percent of the violators.
Play53min 59secLake Pepin's uncertain futureDecember 20, 2010 12:00 AMLake Pepin is one of Minnesota's natural wonders, but is choking on sediment that could threaten it's very existence. Midmorning looks at the causes and potential solutions.
Fargo developing ordinance to protect treesDecember 19, 2010 12:10 PMCity commissioners in Fargo have decided to develop a tree preservation ordinance. Discussions started earlier this fall when several commissioners raised concerns about developers removing a grove of mature trees in a southwest Fargo addition.
Play3min 47secState board gets potential stake in PolyMet mining projectDecember 17, 2010 12:00 AMBy Bob KelleherThe state's Iron Range Resources agency has approved a loan package that gives the IRR an opportunity to purchase PolyMet stock.
Fed. officials plan stepped-up fight against Asian carpDecember 16, 2010 7:29 PMFederal officials promised a stepped-up fight Thursday to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes by better tracking their movements, blocking potential migration pathways and killing any that manage to evade a network of new and improved barriers.
Rep. McNamara takes over environmental committeeDecember 16, 2010 4:35 PMBy Stephanie HemphillThe incoming Republican chair of the Minnesota House Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources Committee says he will build on groundwork laid by his Democratic predecessor.
Gov't plans stepped-up fight against Asian carpDecember 16, 2010 3:00 PMBy Stephanie HemphillNew research is underway on controlling the voracious jumping carp with poisons, pheromones, or even removing the food they eat.