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Thursday, March 28, 2024

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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

MN: Environment

As part of its Climate and Resilience Action Plan, the city of St. Paul plans to convert the Como Zoo Conservancy building to geothermal heating and cooling. (Flickr)

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

St. Paul Climate Action Plan aims for net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050

By Frank Jossi for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Netwo…

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Researchers with North Star Policy Action say Minnesota has more ambitious clean energy goals than neighboring states, but lags behind some of them in output. Permitting issues in Minnesota are cited as a big factor. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 25, 2024

MN tinkers with policy to speed up wind and solar projects

Minnesota has about 15 years to achieve its mandate of 100% carbon-free electricity from utilities. To get there, clean energy voices say the …

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Backers of establishing a cleaner standard for transportation fuel in Minnesota say it would apply to both in-state producers, as well fuel that's imported. (Adobe Stock)
MN transportation sector could be next in line for carbon-free standard

Minnesota already has a law calling for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. Now, there's a similar plan for transportation, and a legislative …

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New findings complied by Climate Central note that warming temperatures have led to 49 fewer
Report: Great Lakes not as icy most winters

Minnesota is seeing a glaring lack of snow and lake ice this winter, and a new report underscores how climate trends are leading to diminished ice …

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When it comes to electric vehicle registrations per capita, Minnesota ranks high among Midwestern states but still lags behind coastal states such as California. (Adobe Stock)
MN rolls out new electric-vehicle rebates

This week, the state of Minnesota began a new rebate program for electric vehicle purchases. Officials say a third of the funding set aside for the …

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According to the Clean Grid Alliance, Minnesota farmers, ranchers and landowners receive nearly $9 million annually from land lease payments related to solar projects on their property. (Adobe Stock)
MN landowners warming up to solar

Drive around rural Minnesota and you might spot a solar farm. Complexities are being sorted out for bigger projects and in the meantime, farmers are …

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Heat pumps, powered by electricity, are seen as a key source in eventually replacing natural gas to reduce emissions from homes and businesses. (Adobe Stock)
MN coalition: Give residents a voice in phasing in clean heat sources

A regulatory hearing dealing with energy policy does not seem like a setting for most Minnesotans but a new coalition is recruiting voices who want af…

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Old-growth forests, which provide crucial wildlife habitat, clean water and carbon sequestration, are under threat from the effects of climate change, magnifying drought, disease, insect damage and fire severity. (Adobe Stock)
Public feedback sought on old-growth forest protections

States such as Minnesota have several old-growth forests, and the timber industry is pushing back against a Biden administration proposal to limit …

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In 2023, the Legislature approved nearly $50 million for the new Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority. Officials said the funds will help accelerate the adoption of proven clean energy technology and greenhouse-gas reduction projects. (Adobe Stock)
'Green Bank' among new MN climate efforts trying to get off ground

When Minnesota lawmakers reconvene in the coming weeks, additional climate change work is expected. Meanwhile, bigger moves from last year are being …

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To date, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has made available $1.25 billion dollars in new grant funding for farmers and rural small business owners to add clean energy technology to their properties. (Adobe Stock)
Feds beef up hiring to help rural America with clean energy grants

Federal grant money is flowing in to help farmers and smaller businesses in rural communities adapt to clean energy technology. Minnesota is among …

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Algunos científicos climáticos sostienen que romper con los combustibles fósiles lo antes posible podría evitar una catástrofe climática global. Si bien muchas empresas de servicios públicos han hecho tales promesas, argumentan que la transición no será fácil debido a las demandas energéticas actuales. (Adobe Stock)
Voces de MN llevan mensaje de justicia ambiental a conferencia global

Esta semana concluyó una conferencia climática global de alto riesgo, con un nuevo acuerdo sobre los combustibles fósiles en vigor…

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Some climate scientists argue that breaking away from fossil fuels as soon as possible could stave off a global climate catastrophe. While many utility companies have made such pledges, they argue the transition won't be easy because of current energy demands. (Adobe Stock)
MN voices carry environmental justice message at global conference

A high-stakes global climate conference wrapped up this week, with a new agreement concerning fossil fuels in place. But it wasn't just elected …

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