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.

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Climate Cast

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

New BWCA checklist: a paddle, fishing pole and a cell phone
A five day trial beginning this week in Hennepin County will determine if AT&T can build a cell phone tower visible from many locations within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. AT&T argues local residents ought to be able to get better service and that service would increase public safety within the wilderness. Environmentalists counter that the tower would put birds at risk and spoil the rare wilderness experience.
Snow geese pose dilemma for wildlife managers
After more than a decade of intensive hunting pressure to trim the numbers of snow geese that fly through North Dakota and western Minnesota, the midcontinent population of the birds remains too high. The snow geese continue to threaten the fragile arctic coastline where they spend their summers.
DNR may be granted greater inspection authority to combat zebra mussels
Legislation authorizes mandatory inspections at or near water access points. If inspectors find an invasive species, they can require the boat or other equipment to go through a decontamination process.
What's the future of renewable energy?
President Obama has called for America to cut its oil imports by one-third by 2025, and to get 80 percent of its electricity from clean energy sources by 2035. Does America have the technology, and the political will, to make this vision a reality?