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.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says the owners of a southwestern Minnesota ethanol plant have agreed to pay a $66,000 penalty to resolve alleged violations of the plant's air and water quality permits.
The magic of portage
A photographer and essayist, who are also seasoned outdoorsmen, explore the Quetico-Boundary Waters in a new book. Midmorning discusses the method, madness and philosophy of paddling Minnesota's big lakes and small streams.
Can local feed meet global needs?
The local food movement has been growing steadily the past few years, but availability, cost, and convenience remain an issue. Can local food be produced at a scale that makes it affordable for the consumer and viable for small farmers? And will eating local ever be a high priority for consumers?
Without climate legislation, carbon market collapses
Farmers 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.
New rules on greenhouse gases could strain impacted industries
In 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 peak
After 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.